Back in the ’90s, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led the Bulls to six NBA titles in eight years. Last decade, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were the linchpins in the Blackhawks’ run of three Stanley Cups in six seasons.
The Elmhurst/River Forest 14U baseball team has now joined those local sports dynasties following a 10-0 run-rule rout of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin in the Junior League Central Region finals, Aug. 2, in Midland, Michigan. The victory punches the team’s ticket to the World Series for the fourth consecutive year.
“I’ve known about this team for a long time and wanted to play,” said River Forest resident and incoming Fenwick freshman Will Bartolucci. “Winning the regional means a lot and it feels very good.”
“It’s good to see all the hard work has paid off,” said River Forest resident Jimmy Madden. “It’s a good opportunity to play some really good competition.”
Elm-RF, which had squeaked out a 4-2 victory over Whitefish Bay in its tournament opener on July 30, took care of business early in Sunday’s rematch, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Madden and fellow River Forest resident Danny Goggin each had run-scoring singles in the frame.
“When the top of our lineup starts well, it gets the morale of the team really high,” Goggin said. “Scoring those early runs gave us the momentum.”
Then Elm-RF sealed things with six runs in the fourth. Bartolucci had a run-scoring double during the rally; he was 2-for-2 at the plate for the day along with Goggin. He had missed the state tournament the previous week due to a thumb injury and was glad to make a major contribution in the regional.
“I wasn’t 100 percent sure if I was going to play,” he said. “Playing baseball again felt awesome; it’s my favorite thing to do.”
“They saved their best two pitchers for (Sunday), but our guys are hitting the ball so well, we were ready,” said Elm-RF head coach Rob Fleming. “We came out strong, got on the board early, and never looked back.”
In Elm-RF’s 11-0 semifinal victory over Negaunee, Michigan, Aug. 1, Bartolucci and Madden each delivered RBI singles. The team had advanced to the semifinals with a 7-6 victory over Bullock Creek, Michigan.
The four River Forest players on the team, Bartolucci, Jon Ellis, Goggin, and Madden, have meshed well with the Elmhurst players. Goggin feels the quickly-developed chemistry between the two leagues has led to this year’s success.
“Through state it was a little iffy,” he said, “but once we got to regionals, we stayed overnight (together). We ate dinner together and got to know each other. We brought a game of bags along and started to bond; now it feels like we’re a family.”
“When we played (Elmhurst) in 12U, I couldn’t have imagined being friends with them,” Bartolucci added. “Being in the same hotel brought us closer together and it’s been really great.”
To a man, the players know about the high expectations of the 14U team and were eager to make their mark.
“I remember watching them last year on TV and thought it was so cool. I really wanted to get (to the World Series),” Madden said. “I realized it comes with a lot of hard work and dedication. I’m very proud of everybody.”
Ellis has missed the state and regional tournaments with a hamstring injury, but he’s scheduled to return for the World Series. And he’s eager to help out his teammates.
“It’s been kind of hard sitting on the bench,” Ellis said. “I like supporting everyone, but I’m really excited to return and help out the team as much as I can.”
“Super-excited because Jon’s one of our best players and pitchers,” Bartolucci said.
Elm-RF faces Murfreesboro, Tennessee in the opening round of the Junior League World Series, Aug. 9, in Taylor, Michigan. Fleming is optimistic about his team making a strong run.
“The hitting and fielding are at top level and the pitching’s been amazing,” he said. “These guys want to win, they’re hot. They deserve our best effort that puts them in the best position to be successful.”