It all started in August when a multitude of kids came to try out. Ten boys were selected to fill the 2011 DREAM 11U Roster spots. Three coaches had a vision and the know how to make this group of young men gel and develop into a team...the DREAM TEAM. Our DREAM TEAM came willing and eager to practice and work all winter long when many of their friends weren't even thinking about baseball. Our parents and families sacrificed both time and money for one common goal to help our kids develop into better baseball players and young men. Now all of these months later, these boys are better baseball players, friends, and fine young men. Priceless memories and history have been made, our DREAM TEAM, the DREAM 11U team are the best in the state! They are the 2011 11UAA USSSA State Champions! Congratulations boys, on your hard work and accomplishments. We are so very proud of you!!
ROAD TO VICTORY
Our first game of the State Tournament series was on Lenz Field #2 vs. Moline Blackhawks, 2pm on Friday afternoon. We struggled early to find our rhythm both at bat and in the field. A combination of playing on turf for the first time this season, strong winds, plus a bit of State Tournament jitters seemed to factor in the equation. Moline made the first strike scoring one run in the top of the first inning. Dream batters, Connor Steinbaugh and Jacob Schleinz hitting big doubles moved runners around to go up 2-1 in the bottom of the third inning. We would score one additional run late in the game defeating the Moline Blackhawks 3-1.
Our second round of pool play was scheduled to start at 11 am on Saturday morning. Lightning and rain delays pushed that start time back to 4:30 pm. The gang made use of their delay, hanging out at the hotel and playing video games before the ok was given to get back to the diamonds to warm-up and eventually play ball. Post rain delay, our DREAM team arrived at Lenz Field #4, a team favorite, ready to take on our well-respected opponents, Team Extreme representing Teutopolis and Effingham. Hot bats were the theme of the game, with a one hop over the fence, ground-rule double for Andrew Erickson, and over the fence homers for Garrett Fritz and Dylan Pratt, in addition to big hits from several other DREAM batters. Solid defense and the dynamic duo of Austin Cain pitching and Bo Minor catching ended it by rule in the 4th inning of play with DREAM over Extreme 12-4.
On Sunday, the third day of tournament action, our team arrived at the ball park at 7 am, prepared to play an 8 am start time. Heavy winds and possible tornado the night before took out a dugout and fences at the Lenz complex further delaying the weekend's game schedule. With all players dressed and ready to play ball our coaching staff decided to warm the team up and have a fun, yet productive practice. The boys laughed and enjoyed themselves, but knew that big games were in front of them. The boys were back at the ball park for a Noon game on Field #2 vs. Lake County Sidewinders. Sidewinders started off with a run in the first inning and kept up their offensive rush scoring a total of four by the fifth inning. Another windy day on field 2 was challenging for our batters. Several of our batters hit the ball long, to just hang in the wind for a Sidewinder to snag in the air. Our bats finally got going tying it up in the bottom of the fifth inning. Both teams were held scoreless in the 6th and 7th innings. Per tournament rules, the eight inning was to be played with International Rules, starting each inning with one out, a runner on second, and each batter with a count of 2-1. In the top of the eighth DREAM took the Sidewinders 3 up, 3 down. Having home team advantage, we started the bottom of the eighth with Corey Hall at second base , one out and Marty Wright at the plate. Marty hit a sharp grounder to the short stop advancing Corey to third, fielder making the play on Marty at first for second out of inning. Andrew Erickson came up to the plate with two outs, first pitch to Andrew went passed the catcher and Corey came in to score the winning run putting us over the top 5-4.
The semi-final game vs Pekin Gamers started at 2:45 on Field #4. Pekin had just come off an exciting game, winning a close one over Rochester Rockets. DREAM opened as visitors taking a 1-0 lead with Connor Steinbaugh hitting a one hop, ground rule double over the fence and Jacob Schleinz moving him in on a fielders choice, but Pekin answered back scoring 2 of their own in the bottom of first inning. Defense for both teams was solid in innings 2 and 3 with no runs allowed. Garrett Fritz wasn't satisfied with just one homer this tournament, so he hit an opposite field shot over the wall in right, scoring one more in the top of the fourth inning. Pekin Gamers not ready to call it quits, scored 6 runs of their own and took an 8-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth. DREAM decided it was either now or never in the top of five, Marty Wright hitting his own ground rule double over the fence, followed by a host of DREAM hits and runs to take the lead back 9-8. With the game drawing near to a close one of the Gamers' batters hit a solid shot over the fence for a one run homer, ending the inning with a 9-9 tie ball game. In the top of the sixth inning, Wyatt Edwards being smart at the plate earned a base on balls. Through savvy base running Wyatt advanced to third and scored on a passed ball taking the lead back 10-9. DREAM defensive play took the Gamers 1,2,3 in the bottom of the inning securing the DREAM a spot in the Championship game.
The State Championship title game would be decided on Sunday afternoon between opponents Champaign Dream and Mendota Gold. Led by Dylan Pratt on the mound and Jacob Schleinz behind the plate our DREAM defense was on a mission making play after play in the field. Garrett Fritz and Wyatt Edwards also had appearances from the hill holding Mendota to one run in 5 innings of play. Coach Edwards told the boys earlier in the day that we would win ball games with our hitting. In the bottom of the third inning that message seemed to sink in, with hit after hit, started off with a Marty Wright double and Bo Minor's follow up double to bring in the first run of the game. The offensive onslaught also included an over the fence two run homer by Austin Cain and our order batting around to score 7 runs. A Dylan Pratt triple and passed ball brought him home for the eighth run in the bottom of the fifth. Shutting the door, speedster Wyatt Edwards scored the winning run on a passed ball thrown to Andrew Erickson. DREAM wins it all 9-1 by rule after 5 full innings.