Cougar Niners Second in Dale Battle

May 11th saw the nine-year-old Cougars beaten by the weather; a spring storm cancelled the championship game of the 2014 Battle for the Dale tournament in Hinsdale. The tournament opened for the young Cougars with losses to the Illinois Redbirds - Red and the Clarendon Hills Cardinals - Blue; thereafter, the Cougars went on a 4 - 0 run to earn a spot in the ill-fated championship game. 

Victories included a 8 - 7 win over the Illinois Redbirds - Black, 9 - 1 redemption win over the Illinois Redbirds - Red, 17 - 6 quarterfinal drubbing of the Clarendon Hills Cardinals - Blue, and finally a hard fought 9 - 8 semi-final win over the Downers Grove Fury.  

The 2014 9U Cougars are, in alphabetical order: Ryan Booth, Nolan Crowell, William Czech, Zach Despinich, Sean Garcia, Cameron Gifford, Tyler Nehls, Frankie Nicosia, Ryan Procajlo, Michael Sumner, Matt Sutter, and Matt Vezza.  The 9U Elmhurst Cougars are managed by Mark Sutter, who is assisted by Bob Gifford, Todd Vezza, and Jeff Crowell.  

This Cougar team is a member of the Elmhurst Cougars Baseball and Softball Club. Formed in 1992, the Cougars are Elmhurst’s oldest full-time youth travel baseball and softball organization. For their 22nd year the Cougars are fielding eight baseball and four fast-pitch softball teams for youth aged 8 through 15. Visit www.elmhurstcougars.net  and www.facebook.com/elmhurstcougars to connect with the Elmhurst Cougars.