Published on June 9, 2025 7:56 am
Last Updated on June 9, 2025 8:44 am
Teutopolis High School with the hardware the team has won this season including second place at the Class 2A State Tournament. Tyler Repking photo
BY MILLIE LANGE
CHAMPAIGN — So close . . . Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin edged Teutopolis 5-4 in the Class 2A State Baseball Tournament Saturday for the championship. But the Wooden Shoes battled all the way and finished their outstanding season with a second place finish at State.
In an exciting contest from the start, Sacred Heart Griffin came through with the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh.
The Cyclones struck early in the game, scoring two runs in the first inning.
Drew Ward drew a walk. With one out, Andy Antonacci then stroked a home run over left field. Antonacci, a senior, was the leading home run hitter for the Cyclones with five going into the contest.
That lead stood through the first three innings. The Wooden Shoes went up and down in order on three strikeouts in the opening frame and again in the second inning, unable to solve Will Pennell’s pitches.
But the Shoes adjusted and broke loose in the fourth inning to move ahead in the top of the frame, 3-2. With one out, Caleb Deters singled to left field. Greg Addis drew a walk and courtesy runner Teagan Pals came in. With two outs, Dawson Hoene was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Davin Worman then put the ball in play and the Cyclones third baseman overthrew first base and Deters, Pals and Hoene all scored.
Sacred Heart came right back in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 3-3. Antonacci led off with a single into right field. He then advanced on a wild pitch. The Shoes’ Addis got a strikeout and a second out came on a grounder. But, Antonacci stood at third and Austin Rutter hit a single that scored Antonacci for the 4-3 lead.
The two teams were quiet in the fifth. But the Shoes moved into a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth. Aidan Niemerg singled and advanced on a wild pitch. Dawson singled on a bunt to the shortstop and Niemerg advanced to third. Davin Worman then singled and Niemerg scored.
Unfortunately, Sacred Heart came right back in the bottom of the frame to knot the score at 4-4. with one out, Ty Springer was hit by a pitch. Antonacci was also hit by a pitch. Springer advanced to third on a fly ball out by Mike Groesch. and came home on a single by Carson Butler.
The Shoes went up and down in order in the top of the seventh on two strikeouts and a fly ball out.
Sacred Heart Griffin then came up in the bottom of the seventh. The first batter flew out. Will Coady then hit a fly ball and reached on an error and advanced to second on the same error. Tommy Lauterbach singled to left field and Coady scored for the winning run.
The Wooden Shoes outhit the Cyclones by an 8-6 tally. Thompson led the way with a single and double while Deters had two singles. Worman finished with a single and an RBI.
Sacred Heart also had two errors while T-town finished with one. The Cyclones ended the season with a 26-8-1 record.
Coach Justin Fleener’s team finished with a 30-6 mark and a second place finish at the Class 2A State Tournament.
The Wooden Shoes have competed at the State Baseball Tournament 10 times, finishing first four times, taking second twice, third three times and not placing once.
Third place went to Eureka over Sterling Newman Catholic, 9-3.
Class 2A State Tournament
Teutopolis 000 301 0 — 4-8-1
Sacred Heart 200 101 1 — 5-6-2
WP — Ward. P — Addis.
Teutopolis — Hoene, single; Worman, single, 1 RBI; Niebrugge, single; Thompson, single, double; Detes, 2 singles; Niemerg, single
Sacred Heart Griffin — Antonacci, single, home run, 2 RBI; Butler, single, 1 RBI; Rutter, single, 1 RBI; Lauterbauch, 2 singles, 1 RBI
The Wooden Shoes were welcomed home with a firetruck ride through the streets of Teutopolis. Tyler Repking photo