I.V. Senior Little League Team claims Oregon title; now regional contender
(From left) Assistant coach Kim Douglas, players Quayde Fisher, Justin Douglas, Ben Kendall, Chris Carlton, Cory Glasgow, Andrew Augustadt, Jack Anderson, Dylan Albertson, Tobin Mikels, Cody Albertson and Antonio Escalante, and coach/manager Brad Albertson. (Photo courtesy of Darlene Anderson)
Illinois Valley’s Senior Little League team has claimed the Oregon Senior League championship, beating a Reynolds (Portland) team 9-8 in extra innings in Keizer on July 21.
The team, comprised of boys 13 to 16 years old, is the first Senior League group ever fielded from Illinois Valley.
In its first regional contest in Salem on Sunday, July 29, I.V.’s team members lost to a group from Washington state 15-5. But they’re not out of the running for regional honors. Some said that a bit of “humble pie” isn’t a bad deal.
Meanwhile, the players and their parents are seeking donations of any size to help defray costs. Accommodations, meals and other travel costs are mounting as the team represents the valley.
For donation information, phone Janet Ewing, I.V. Little League president, at (541) 659-8618.
The valley team is playing regional games, all in Salem at Holland Little League Park, through Friday, Aug. 3. The schedule: Montana on Tuesday; Southern California on Thursday, Aug. 2; and Nevada on Friday, Aug. 3.
In playoff competition on Tuesday, Aug. 7, the I.V. team -- should it emerge as a top regional victor -- could advance to the national Little League championship event in Bangor, Maine.
Playoff games will pit the top Pool A and Pool B teams against each other. I.V. is in Pool A (Oregon, Washington, Southern California, Nevada and Montana). Pool B has the teams from Hawaii, Alaska, Northern California, Idaho and Arizona.
O’Brien resident Cheryl Johnson and her husband, Harry, are among valley residents, including parents, who have made the trip to Salem to cheer on the I.V. team.
Cheryl noted that Cave Junction and Illinois Valley are becoming more widely known because of the Senior team and its ambassador’s role. Although, she noted, many first have to ask, “Where’s Illinois Valley?”
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