Whenever a team loses its first game of a double-elimination postseason tournament, it has to dig deep if it wants to avoid another loss that would end its season. That was the situation the River Forest 12U baseball team faced last week after losing its opening game in the Little League District 10 tournament to Elmhurst, 6-5, July 19. But the team responded well to the adversity, winning three consecutive games to win the district championship and advance to the Illinois Little League Majors state tournament.
“It’s been a long time coming. It feels really good,” said River Forest 12U coach Frankie Giglio. “We won the district championship in 10U, and we lost to Elmhurst last year (11U). But this was the year that truly mattered; the 12U season is what everyone strives for.”
Following the opening loss, River Forest went into the losers bracket, and routed Franklin Park 15-5, July 20, to earn a rematch against Elmhurst, whom River Forest had to defeat twice in order to win the district. And that’s exactly what they did. On July 21 in Keystone Park, Matt Irvin hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth, which proved to be the game-winner as River Forest prevailed 7-5.
The following night in Elmhurst, Irvin again starred at the plate with two hits, including another home run, and two RBI as River Forest scored five runs in the top of the first in a 9-6 title-clinching victory. On the mound, winning pitcher Jack O’Keefe allowed four runs (all unearned) on three hits and struck out three in 1.1 innings.
“It’s very difficult in baseball to win three consecutive games and a title from the losers bracket,” Giglio said.
The 12U team consists of the following players: Aidan Connelly, Grayson Elfvin, Valentino Giglio (Frankie’s son), Liam Goggin, Charlie Goldhaber, Chris and Matt Irvin, Louie Lothson, Owen Medina, O’Keefe, Paddy Sheahan, and Danny Zarco. Besides Giglio, coaches are Bayard Elfvin, Pat Sheahan Sr., and Tom Irvin.
Defense is of highest importance in postseason play, and Giglio feels that’s been a key factor this year.
“When we picked this team, we went toward the defensive end of things,” he said. “Liam and Charlie are our shortstop and second baseman up the middle and sometimes they’ve saved games single-handedly with their gloves. That was a huge help. Behind the plate, Valentino has been a wall and helps every pitcher as much as he can.
“On the offensive side of things, Matt has done something I’ve never seen, and I’ve been around baseball for a long time. He’s got 13 home runs in his last 22 at-bats. From top to bottom, when we’ve needed a hit, someone’s stepped up, plain and simple. And the pitching’s been truly remarkable.”
Beating Elmhurst twice in a row for the district championship, Giglio said, was especially sweet.
“Elmhurst’s had our number recently,” he said. “The last time a River Forest team won was four years ago. It’s not an easy task, so this is incredible.”
River Forest opened state play on Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Olney. Sheahan went all six innings on the mound to earn the win, allowing two runs on just four hits. Goggin and Chris Irvin each had an RBI.
Later that day, River Forest managed only two hits, both from O’Keefe, in an 11-1 defeat to Bell Park. However, the team showed grit and character on Sunday in a 7-6 extra-inning victory over Beardstown. Zarco belted a three-run homer in the top of the first, and River Forest led 6-1 after five innings.
In the bottom of the sixth, Beardstown scored five runs to force extra innings. River Forest responded in the top of the seventh when Goldhaber’s two-out double plated Lothson with the go-ahead run. Connelly retired Beardstown in order in the bottom half to notch the save.
In the final pool-play game on Monday versus Burbank, River Forest jumped out to a 6-0 lead after 3½ innings but couldn’t hold on and lost 10-9 to get eliminated from state.
However, Giglio is still proud of his team.
“No matter what, we had a good run,” he said.