The 2022 All Star season sadly came to an end for these 14 Intermediate players last night as they fell to Laguna Beach in the championship game 18-8. After losing their first game to Laguna Beach just a week ago, they battled for 4 STRAIGHT DAYS, which included an epic 14-11 comeback win in Sunday's semi-final game against Northwood. Down 11-6 going into the 6th inning, Lake Forest added 3 runs in the 6th while holding Northwood at 11. Lake Forest added 5 runs on 5 hits in the last inning to take a 14-11 lead. C. Payne pitched 3 solid innings in relief to close out the game. Eight different players collected hits and nine different players scored runs in a true TEAM win.
Highlights of their performance across 5 games: .310 total team batting average, led by J. Klepacki who averaged .600 in the tournament. 44 total hits as a team, including 7 HR's - 5 by E. Rodriguez and 1 each by A. Simpson and C. Sebilian. 41 stolen bases with a 97.62 success rate, 25 walks drawn, and 47 runs scored.
Last words from Manager/Coach Don: SO AMAZINGLY PROUD OF THIS TEAM. I LOVE YOU ALL FOR BELIEVING IN THIS PROCESS. KNOCKING TEAMS BACK TO BACK TO BACK IS SUCH A HUGE EFFORT FROM ALL. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE EXPERIENCE!!! AND TO MY COACHING STAFF, ANDREW SEBILIAN, BRYAN MAXWELL AND BARRY PAYNE FOR BEING PART OF THIS MAGICAL JOURNEY.
AS IF YOU WERE ALL MY KIDS, I TRULY LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR BELIEVING AND EXECUTING OUR GOALS FOR ALL STARS.
Congratulations again to these players and coaches who represented Lake Forest LL well throughout the tournament. We hope you had as much fun playing as we all did cheering you on!