TF North presents Endurance 24 scholarships
LANSING, Ill. (June 13, 2024) – Illiana Christian baseball can win in a lot of ways, as it’s demonstrated in its latest playoff run.
The Vikings can play small ball as they did in a 10-0 shutout of Madison-Grant last Saturday in the semifinals of the Class 2A Oak Hill Semistate.
Or they can play long ball as they did in a 12-2 title-game win against Rochester that sends them back to the 2A title game in Indianapolis for the third straight year.
Illiana (21-9), which has won seven in a row overall and 19 straight in IHSAA postseason play, goes for its third consecutive state title Saturday at Victory Field. First pitch vs. Providence (21-7) is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Central time. The game will be streamed at IHSAAtv.org with a pay-per-view price of $15, and it will be broadcast on WJOB-AM (1230) and WJOB-FM (104.7).
Both semistate games ended after six innings because of the mercy rule, and both Illiana pitchers — sophomore lefties Spencer Bandstra and Tanner Post — threw complete games. Bandstra (5-0) threw a two-hitter vs. Madison-Grant with two walks and four strikeouts. Post (4-1) gave up two first-inning runs against Rochester and nothing after, finishing with a four-hitter, one walk and eight strikeouts.
“Very typical,” Illiana coach Jeff VanderWoude said of Bandstra’s effort. “He’s pitched great for us this year. Both him and Post, the first inning was the toughest to get out of.”
But they did, and it was clear sailing the rest of the way, thanks to the typically productive Illiana offense. The Vikings have outscored six postseason opponents 56-6 and their closest win was 5-0 vs. Whiting in the sectional semifinals.
“The first game, we did a lot of small ball — bunting, running,” VanderWoude said. “I think we laid down six, seven bunts for hits. … We bunt all the time. It’s something we do in our program. We’re always looking for a way to put pressure on the defense.”
The top hitters in that game included Aaron Gouwens, who was 1-for-3 with a walk and three RBI; Jake Scott, who went 2-for-4 and scored twice; Luke Smith, who finished 2-for-3 with three RBI; and Post, who was 1-for-2 with three runs and two RBI.
The Vikings switched it up vs. Rochester.
“They obviously watched a little bit of our first game,” VanderWoude said. “They took the bunt away.”
So Illiana had six extra-base hits out of eight total: home runs by Isaac VanderWoude, Scott, and Bandstra along with doubles from VanderWoude, Scott, and Smith. Bandstra and Smith homered in a three-run third inning that put the Vikings up to stay.
There was a wind blowing out at a field that isn’t exceptionally big — 315 feet down the lines, 365 to center — but VanderWoude didn’t think the breeze was much of a factor.
“All three of them that got out were hit good,” he said.
Now it’s back to state, a routine many of the Vikings are familiar with. There is one difference this week, with the title game on Saturday instead of Friday as it was the past two seasons.
Illiana will take its extra day of practice to do some fine-tuning.
“It’s (about) controlling what we can do,” VanderWoude said. “This is a time to make sure we’re dotting the I and crossing the T’s.”
TF North
Endurance 24 scholarships
TF North teachers and former assistant baseball coaches Chris Russo and Aaron Altenburg recently presented the annual Endurance 24 scholarships to three seniors heading off to college and trade school.
This year’s recipients are Joshua Piwowar, who will attend Calumet Welding School to pursue a career in welding; Carle Bates, who will attend South Suburban College before moving to a four-year school where she’ll study nursing; and Kira Jackson, who will attend Indiana State University to study architectural engineering and dentistry.
Related
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- Matt Tiffy ends run as Red Wolves baseball coach after 16 years – and local scores (May 29, 2024)
