By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Game 1: Cobden 6, Fulton 2

PEORIA, IL – The Cobden Appleknockers rode the right arm of junior Logan Spalt to a 6-2 victory over Fulton in game one of the day in the Class 1A Semifinals at Peoria’s Dozer Park.

Spalt, who improves to 14-1 on the year, went the distance, allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. Both runs were unearned, coming in the top of the third as Fulton took an early 2-0 lead.

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom half of the fifth, the Appleknockers exploded for four runs thanks to four consecutive hits at the top of the lineup. Leadoff man JT Moore singled to center field, then scored on Spalt’s triple to left center to make it 3-2 Cobden. Spalt finished 4-for-4 on the day at the plate with three singles, two RBI, and one run scored.

Senior first baseman Parker Flamm doubled down the left field line scoring Spalt, giving the Appleknockers a 4-2 lead. After a single by cleanup hitter Sam Cohen, a walk, and a sacrifice bunt, junior Jacob Furlow capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Cobden added an insurance run in the sixth, with Spalt again providing the punch with an RBI single, his fourth hit of the day.

“That’s Logan, he swings it, and gives us a chance on the mound every time out. When we catch it behind him a little bit we have a chance”, said Cobden coach Craig Partridge.

Devon Ballard reached base twice for the Steamers, going 1-for-2 with a walk. Seth Sanderson and Jason Ryder (1-for-2, single) accounted for both the runs in the third. Junior righthander Jack Lemke (5-4) took the loss on the mound, allowing five runs on eight hits in four innings pitched.

Cobden improves to 26-6 on the season, and meets Okawville for the Class 1A State Championship tomorrow at 11:30 am at Dozer Park. Fulton drops to 21-9 and will play Okaw Valley in the Class 1A 3^rd Place game tomorrow at 9 am.

Game 2: Okawville 5, Okaw Valley 3

In the second Class 1A Semifinal contest, Okawville junior right-handed pitcher Brendan Killion went the distance for his ninth win on the season (9-3) as the Rockets took down Okaw Valley, continuing their remarkable playoff run.

Okawville ended the regular season under .500, and currently sits at 17-17 entering tomorrow’s state title matchup with Cobden. The Rockets, trailing 3-2 entering the top of the sixth, finally got to Okaw Valley starter Peyton Hagerman (8-3).

With one out, senior third baseman Ben Schuette (2-for-4, two runs scored) singled through the left side to start the rally. After another strikeout, Noland Crane reached on an error, and Hagerman loaded the bases by hitting shortstop Alec Wisneski. Junior second baseman Mason Drury delivered a clutch, two-run RBI single to right field, giving the Rockets a 4-3 lead. Wisneski subsequently scored on a wild pitch, giving Killion an insurance run he wouldn’t end up needing.

Killion, a 6-foot-2, 165-pound junior went all seven innings, allowing three earned runs on just four hits, with five strikeouts and one walk.

Hagerman, who impressed with an 84-85 mph fastball from a low ¾ arm slot, suffered the loss, allowing five runs (only two earned) on nine hits in six innings. The talented righty used an effective fastball/slider combination to strikeout six, walking only two.

Drury, junior catcher Brad Fuhrhop, senior first baseman Dakota Garlich, and Schutette all finished with two hits for Okawville, who pounded out eleven total hits.

Okaw Valley drops to 26-7 on the year and will play the first game of the day tomorrow, the 1A third place game at 9 am. Okawville and Cobden will square off at 11:30 am for the Class 1A State Title.

Check the Illinois Scout Blog for in depth scouting information from the all 1A and 2A State Tournament action, which will be available shortly.