Illinois Junior Future Games: Recap Stories, Day Four

The PBR Junior Future Games are underway in Emerson, GA at the LakePoint Sports Complex. Both Illinois Junior Future Games teams completed their gameplay yesterday with both teams being eliminated from bracket play. 

All of the position players for Team Illinois participated in a pro-style workout on Tuesday July 25th, collecting unrivaled data from our tech partners, and doing so in front of plenty of college coaches. Find the top overall statistical performances from the Team Illinois JFG workout, here. 

We’ll have plenty of content rolling out as the week continues, including individual game recaps and social media highlights. For now, read below to learn more about a few standouts from yesterday’s gameplay.

TEAM ILLINOIS (1) VS. TEAM OHIO

By: Gavin Smith
Area Scout

Team Illinois made it into the ‘Gold’ bracket of the PBR Junior Future Games, but lost in the first round of bracket play to Team Ohio, 11-3. Team Illinois had quality pitching throughout the game, but Team Ohio’s impressive lineup outmatched our team.

Both C/1B Keegan Seipp (O’Fallon, 2027) and INF/RHP Gavin Stanislawski (Brother Rice, 2027) drove in runs for Team Illinois in the first inning, giving Illinois the early 2-0 lead. OF Anthony Cartolano (Brother Rice, 2027) tallied the only hit in the game driving a ball to the right-center gap. INF Jacsen Tucker (Oswego East, 2027), UTL Kash VanHouten (Canton, 2027), and OF Cullen Schwigen (Rockridge, 2027) each scored in the game.

Stanislawski toed the rubber for Team Illinois and attacked the zone. He gave his team a chance to compete as he challenged Team Ohio’s hitters in his four innings of work.

Team Illinois competed throughout the week and impressed our staff in all facets of the game. They competed in each game, challenged teams, and continued to get better throughout the week. Each player on Team Illinois will be a prospect to follow as they enter their high school careers.

TEAM ILLINOIS (2) VS. TEAM ALABAMA (1)

By: Tyler Defibaugh
Area Scout

Team Illinois (2) was eliminated in game one of ‘Gold’ bracket play on Saturday afternoon by Team Alabama (1) 6-2. Team Illinois had a chance to tie the game at four in the penultimate inning of play, but would go on to strand the bases loaded. Despite the loss, Team Illinois had standout performers once again with prospects standing out at the plate, in the field, and on the mound. 

INF Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry, 2027) capped off his stellar week with two more hits and an RBI at the plate Saturday. In his second at-bat, Wasniewski laced a single into centerfield and the ball went under the centerfielder’s glove before rolling all the way to the wall, allowing him to score on the hit. OF Omar Avalos (Father McGivney, 2027) continued to hit the ball hard on the final day finishing the game, 1-for-2, with a HBP. OF Mason Bruesch (Geneva, 2027) kicked off the scoring for Team Illinois when he doubled down the left-field line in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first, later coming around to score. Bruesch played stellar outfield defense all week for Team Illinois, showing the ability to play all three outfield spots. INF Carson Trivellini (Crystal Lake South, 2027) had a solid showing at the plate and at shortstop on Saturday, going 1-for-2, and showing fluid and clean double play turns.

On the mound for Team Illinois, LHP Aidan Dillon (Brother Rice, 2027) got the ball to start and had a gutsy performance. After having to sit through a rain delay after his second inning of work, Dillon came back out after the rain delay and threw 2 1/3 innings, striking out four. RHP Sean Dabe (Huntley, 2027) closed out the game for Team Illinois and got two huge outs on one pitch to the only batter he faced, when he induced a double play to get out of a jam to give the offense a chance to come back in the final frame.

Other offensive notables were:

+ UTL/RHP Noah Hallahan (Geneva, 2027) RBI, SB
+ 1B/LHP Jimmy Benson (St. Laurence, 2027) 1-for-2
+ INF Matt Ritchie (St. Charles North, 2027) BB, SB

Team Illinois (2) played hard, competed, and overcame adversity throughout the week. Though the players and coaches wanted to make a deeper run in bracket play, our staff could not be more pleased with how the week went for this particular group. The Illinois Staff looks forward to following this crop of prospects as they begin their high school careers this upcoming spring.

CLICK HERE to follow along on PBR Illinois’ Twitter for Team Illinois highlights throughout our week in Georgia.

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