The Odin Post 543 Junior Legion baseball team is headed to the state tournament after a dramatic turn of events at the 5th Division Junior Legion Tournament at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg.
Odin battled Alton Post 126 in Saturday’s matchup, falling 6-4 on the field before advancing after Alton was ruled to have used an ineligible pitcher.
On the diamond, Odin jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Austin Hoffman delivered an RBI single to right field before Brady Cain followed with an RBI double down the right-field line.
Alton answered back, taking a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. A fielder’s choice brought home one run before Zach Thornton tripled to drive in two more. The lead grew in the sixth inning when Fletcher Groppel connected on a two-run home run to right field.
Odin continued to battle, but could not complete the comeback. Cain led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Hoffman collected two hits in three at-bats. Odin also put pressure on the Alton defense throughout the game, stealing seven bases, including multiple steals from Hoffman and Issac Guerrettaz.
Owen Caldwell started on the mound for Odin and allowed three runs on six hits over four and one-third innings, striking out two and walking five. Alton starter Will McCormick gave up four runs, two earned, on six hits over six and one-third innings.
After the game, however, the result changed when tournament officials determined Alton had used a pitcher who was not eligible because he had already pitched the previous day. The violation resulted in Alton being disqualified, sending Odin Post 543 into the 5th Division Championship game and securing the team a spot in next weekend’s state tournament.
Despite the unusual path to advancement, Odin Post 543 now has an opportunity to compete for a division championship and continue its postseason run at the state level.
