When Hinsdale took part in the Little League World Series consolation game early Sunday morning, manager Chad Wanless had a simple message for his team.
“Come out for the introduction, look around and take in the atmosphere,” Wanless said. “No matter what happens, this is a once in a lifetime experience. Have fun.”
Hinsdale's historic winning streak came to an end Sunday with a 4-0 loss to Staten Island, N.Y.
But an hour later, Wanless' team was running around the field, collecting autographs from players from the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees, who had arrived Sunday morning for that night's game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
“The guys are getting their autographs and starting to relax,” Wanless said. “They'll be back on the field (Sunday night) for a little ceremony and they'll have great seats to watch the game and realize how great they've been over the last six to eight weeks.”
Like Friday's 5-0 loss to Hawaii, Hinsdale's best chances to score came in the top of the first inning Sunday. In both games, Hinsdale had runners on first and second base but couldn't score.
That allowed the starting pitcher, in this case Staten Island's Vincent Ruggiero, to settle in. Ruggiero pitched five innings, allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out seven and walking no batters.
“We just didn't get enough quality at-bats throughout the tournament,” Wanless said. “If our at-bats hadn't performed the way they did, we wouldn't have gotten this far. Part of that is down to great pitching and part of it is down to the baseball.”
Hinsdale shortstop Frederick Sackley (12) intercepts and gets the out Staten Island's Jake Romero (8) as he attempts to steal second base during the championship game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Gene J. Puskar/The Associated Press)
Hinsdale starter Alex Vivanco faced tough situations all day but limited the damage until the bottom of the fourth inning. Staten Island left four runners on base through the first three innings, but the extended at-bats began to take their toll.
Staten Island increased their pitch count against Vivanco, who finished the game down 1 to 0. Staten Island smashed in three more runs in the inning and held off Hinsdale from there.
“When you get a lot of quality at-bats like those guys do, it's exhausting, especially for a 12-year-old,” Wanless said. “We just couldn't get him more at-bats. We just had a hard time getting him more pitches.”
“The results were not the same.”
Hinsdale's Collin Boots (left) tags out Staten Island's Dean Scalagiello at third base to end the fourth inning during a consolation game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Gene J. Puskar/The Associated Press)
For Hinsdale, Ethan Chan, Kellan Goodwin and Emiliano Nepomuceno all had hits on Sunday. Goodwin was the only Hinsdale player to focus on offense all weekend, recording three of the team's six hits at Williamsport.
Wanless isn't sure about the team's plans for returning home, but expects the kids will board a bus to Hinsdale on Tuesday morning so they can return to school. Wanless said several of the players will play in football games this weekend.
“I'm ready to sleep in my own bed and get back to some normalcy,” he said, “but I wouldn't trade it for anything.”
Hinsdale is the third Illinois team to win the Great Lakes Regional and advance to the Little League World Series since 2001. Lemont accomplished the feat in 2006, and Chicago's Jackie Robinson West team took the tournament by storm in 2014 but was disqualified for fielding ineligible players.
Hinsdale right fielder Michael Kipnis (6) catches a ball hit by Staten Island's Vincent Ruggiero during the final game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Gene J. Puskar/The Associated Press)
Wanless hopes Hinsdale's success will encourage others to continue the local tradition.
“We have some really good baseball teams in the western suburbs,” Wanless said, “and hopefully it inspires them. My 10-year-old son won a state title with a district team and hopes to make a team in two years. It takes a lot of luck and a lot of skill.”
Although the race ended sooner than they would have liked, the memories made will last a lifetime.
“It's been an eye-opening experience and a dream come true,” Wanless said.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for the Pioneer Press.
First published: August 18, 2024, 1:16 PM
