Patoka Patriots win International Classic
The Patoka Patriots players and coaches are pictured with coaches. Members of the 2023 8U Patoka Patriots are: Josh Buonaura, Luke Burnam, Drake Carbaugh, Grant Eddy, Max Goldsboro, Peyton Hyde, Knox Kuhn, Bryer Thompson, Carter Thompson, Emmitt Thompson, Keaton Thompson, and Michael Wodtka.
The Patoka Patriots 8u baseball team competed in the 2023 Pony Baseball 8U International Classic in Marion July 7-9, compiling a 7-1 record over the weekend and taking the championship.
On Friday, the Patriots opened up pool play with a narrow 5-4 win over Kankakee ACBA. They came back later in the day to finish up a perfect Friday with an 8-5 victory over the Mattoon All-Stars.
Pool play resumed Saturday morning for the Patriots at 8 a.m. with a convincing 12-3 victory over the Marion All-Stars.
In the fourth and final pool play game, in what turned out to be a preview of the championship game on Sunday, the Patriots fell to Kralendijk, Bonaire, 10-6.
The Patriots opened bracket play on Sunday with a win over Waltonville Spartans, 17-1, sending the Patriots to the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinal round, the Patriots would battle Kankakee and pull out a thrilling 11-10 victory with five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The championship semifinal matchup against the undefeated Eldorado Eagles (21-0) was a game that seemed to propel the Patriots to the title.
In the bottom of the sixth, tied 6-6, the Patriots got a walk-off, two-run home run to take the 8-6 victory.
The championship game featured a rematch from pool play with Bonaire.
The Patriots, playing their third game in a row, would get revenge, leaving no doubt, taking the title game, 9-2.
The Patoka Patriots celebrate (near left) after winning the 8U International Classic in Marion over the weekend.
Members of the 2023 8U Patoka Patriots are: Josh Buonaura, Luke Burnam, Drake Carbaugh, Grant Eddy, Max Goldsboro, Peyton Hyde, Knox Kuhn, Bryer Thompson, Carter Thompson, Emmitt Thompson, Keaton Thompson, and Michael Wodtka.
