One inning earlier, it looked like the Shoes were going to stage another of their come-from-behind victories. After falling behind 2-0 in the opening inning, they battled back to take a 3-2 lead. SHG tied the game in the fourth, but T-Town regained the advantage and had an opportunity for more in the top of the sixth.
Aidan Niemerg hit a slow roller down the third place line for a lead-off infield single. He went to second on a wild pitch and to third when Dawson Hoene laid down a perfect bunt between the pitcher and third baseman. Davin Worman then hit a sharp ground ball that glanced off the pitcher’s glove, allowing Niemerg to scoot home with the go-ahead run.
Without getting the ball out of the infield, Teutopolis had taken the lead and had runners at first and second with nobody out. But the next three hitters were retired to end that scoring threat.
“We could have had more in that inning,” Coach Fleener admitted. “We hit a couple balls hard, but right at them.”
Missed opportunities was the theme of the game for the Wooden Shoes. Other than the seventh, they had runners on base in every other inning. Through six, they also had a runner in scoring position in every inning.
There were two runners on with just one out in the first. Henry Thompson led off the second with a ringing double over the centerfielder’s head, but was unable to advance.
In both the third and fifth, THS tried to start two-out rallies. Mick Niebrugge walked and Jason Kreke was hit by a pitch in the third, while Thompson and Caleb Deters had back-to-back singles in the fifth. But each time, the next hitter was retired.
“We definitely missed some good scoring opportunities,” Fleener noted. “We got runners on base, but their pitchers made some good pitches when they needed to. They were pounding the ball inside a lot and got some tough outs. We just couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it.”
The Cyclones grabbed a quick 2-0 lead in the first. After Drew Ward walked, SHG’s leading hitter, Andy Antonacci, went the oppositive way, drilling a 2-2 pitch high over the leftfield fence. It was his sixth home run of the season and added to his .427 batting average.
It remained a two-run game until the Shoes finally broke through in the fourth, scoring three times on just one hit.
With one out, Deters singled and Gavin Addis drew a walk. One out later, Dawson Hoene was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Davis Worman then hit a slow roller to third. The throw to first was wild and rolled to the fence, allowing all three runners to score and put T-Town on top, 3-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, SHG was able to knot the score. Back-to-back hit batters put a runner in scoring position and Carson Butler took advantage, connecting on an 0-2 breaking ball and rapping it into left for the RBI single.
Addis went the distance for T-Town and turned in a strong performance on the mound. The junior righthander allowed five runs on just six hits against a very good hitting squad. Addis walked only one and struck out three while throwing 103 pitches.
“Gavin did a fantastic job,” Fleener said. “He did exactly what we asked him to do. He gave us a shot. They are a very good hitting team. Gavin battled and battled and got some tough outs in some tough situations. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Ward got the win in relief for the Cyclones. He pitched the final 2.1 innings, taking over for Will Pennell with two outs in the fifth.
Sacred Heart Griffin finished its season with a 26-8-1 record. It was the school’s third baseball state title, but the first since 1987. They also won the state championship in 1964 and finished fourth in Class 2A in 2021.
The Shoes were making their 14th trip overall and 10th in Coach Fleener’s 24-year career. This is the third time in school history T-Town finished second to go along with four state titles.
But while the team might be returning as No. 2 in the state, there was no better fan support the past two days at Illinois Field, which is on the campus of the University of Illinois, just a couple blocks down the street from Memorial Stadium and the State Farm Center.
Friday night’s crowd was overwhelming, and even with the rainy forecast Saturday, Wooden Shoes fans turned out in droves, and fully prepared with raincoats and umbrellas.
“Our fan support was awesome,” Fleener said. “This community does not disappoint. All I can say is thank you. We appreciate that support very much.”
Teutopolis ended its fine season with a 30-6 record, winning 11 of its final 13 games.
As always, one of the toughest aspects at the conclusion of any season is saying goodbye to the seniors. For Coach Fleener, there are six on this squad – Henry Thompson, Cooper Tegeler, Carter Hoene, Dawson Hoene, Mick Niebrugge and Andrew Prost.
“These seniors were exactly as advertised,” Fleener said. “When they came in as freshmen, I was told I would really like them. And that was spot on. They are great young men that have represented their family, this team and this community very well. It’s been an honor to be their coach.”
