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Sports

New Lenox Rebels 9-Under Baseball Rallies for Homewood Invitational Championship

A young New Lenox baseball all-star team trailed by four runs in the final inning of the title game but rallied to pull out a dramatic victory.

It was the best youth baseball game New Lenox coach Bob Ward had ever seen.

It was late and his team was on the wrong end of a 5-1 decision vs. Ridge Beverly in the championship game of the Homewood Invitational Tournament.

“Being down four runs going into their last at bats, the only 12 people in the park that still knew they were going to win were those 12 kids in our dugout,” Ward said. “It was all them. I have coached quite a few teams in the past five years, but I have never seen a team start as bad as they were and grow not only into great ballplayers but great teammates with character and pride for each other.”

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The Rebels responded with five runs to win 6-5. The contributions came from up and down the roster, which included Sarah Bourell, Caleb Contreras, Brett Carberry, Dylan Gajdorus, Jackson Kameron, Matthew Keblusek, Tyler Kent, Jared Kreis, Nicholas Martino, Jeff Ogrodnik, Riley Styx and Cameron Ward.

The team wasn’t a full-time travel team, but an all-star team that was put together approximately six weeks ago in late June. The Rebels played in three tournaments in July, which included a fourth-place finish at Homer Glen as well as the Homewood Invitational title, where they went a perfect 5-0.

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“It is a testament to their parents and the work of past coaches in the Rebels organization that these kids are who they are now,” Ward said. “The only regret I have is that it had to end.”

Learn How To Save With Pignatiello

Former Providence Catholic standout pitcher Carmen Pignatiello, who also had a brief professional stint with the Chicago Cubs, will help Joliet Slammers fans save money next weekend.

Pignatiello, who is the pitching coach for the Slammers, will be part of the promotion of their game on Aug. 13. A “Piggy” bank in his likeness will be distributed to the first 1,000 fans arriving for the 6:05 p.m. contest. Gates will open at 5 p.m.

Wednesday’s More Than Spaghetti Day

The first official day of practice for fall high school athletics is Wednesday, Aug. 10. Although football gets the most attention, all other sports have the opportunity to practice and most will do so, as well as host tryouts.

Celtic Star Chooses Hawkeyes

Providence Catholic senior offensive lineman Ryan Ward won’t join his older brother at Northwestern.

Ward, who was considering joining brother Patrick Ward, an offensive tackle at Northwestern, has committed to Iowa.

New Concussion Sign-Off Form

Beginning this fall season, athletes will need to have a signed concussion form on file at their school. This is a new procedure that was part of the Concussion Bill.

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