Midwest Phillies Go 3 for 3 Taking Home Third First Place Win in Three Fall Ball Tournaments

The Midwest Phillies took first place in the Greater Midwest Baseball Elite Fall Showcase 17U/18U tournament at T.R. Hughes Ballpark on October 13, 2013.  This was the Midwest Phillies’ third fall ball tournament this year and their third first place win, ending with a fall record of 12-2-1.

The Phillies’ bats and strong defense were out in full force for the pool games.  In the first pool game, the Midwest Phillies beat St. Louis Redtails – White 10-1.  In the second pool game, the Phillies shut out Easton St. Louis Tigers 8-0.  Winning both pool games and allowing only one run, the Midwest Phillies seeded #1, which gave them a bye in the first round of bracket play.

During bracket play, the Phillies had to battle for their runs and come from behind in both games.  In the tournament semifinal, the Phillies played Gamers 18U.  The Gamers led 4-2 going into the bottom of the fifth inning, and there was only enough time to play one more inning.  The Phillies got to work and brought in three runs to lead 5-4.  In the sixth inning, the Gamers got a runner to third base with one out trying to tie things up, but the Phillies took care of that with a fielder’s choice, forgoing an easy out at first base in order to throw home and tag the runner out at the plate.  The final score was 5-4 for the Phillies.

In the championship game, the Phillies played St. Louis Redtails – White.  The Phillies had beaten the Redtails 10-1 in pool play, so the Redtails were doing everything they could to get the win in the championship game.  The Redtails led 2-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, and were already counting their win.  The Phillies came up to bat and patiently battled their way back, taking two walks then getting a base hit to load the bases.  The next batter struck out, but then came a hard-hit double to bring in two runners and tie things up.  But the Phillies were not done quite yet, and walked off with a sacrifice fly for a final score of 3-2.

Midwest Phillies fall ball players include 2013 summer team members Garrett Taylor (Catcher – Parkway North), Matt Rizzo (Outfielder – Parkway North), Levi Greenberg (Pitcher – Ladue), Nick Lorenz (Pitcher – CBC), Ben Campbell (Infielder – Parkway North), Joey Hope (Pitcher – Parkway North), Thomas Higgins (Pitcher – Kirkwood), and Russell Susuki (Infielder – Parkway North).  Players joining for fall ball and playing in this tournament were Adam Faires (Pitcher – Parkway North), Ryan Daughety (Pitcher – Fort Zumwalt South), Brendan Riesmeyer (Outfielder – De Smet), and John Bagsby (Pitcher – Fort Zumwalt South).  See player game photos with this article.

For more information on the Midwest Phillies team and players, visit their web site www.midwestphillies.org.  The Phillies will be playing together again next summer when high school baseball season is over.  Also check out the Midwest Phillies playing on their area high school teams next spring.  The Midwest Phillies web site has a high school baseball news section, so you can follow the players’ high school teams and see articles mentioning Phillies players.