Aurora, IL
The Aurora Dolan & Murphy Shamrocks, currently ranked 17th by the International Softball Congress, completed a successful weekend of ball at the Herald & Review Shootout (Decatur, IL). The Shamrocks improved to 21-6 after going 4-1 on the weekend, finishing 1st in their pool before falling to the #9 ranked Decatur Pride 4-3 in the semi-final game on Sunday. Aurora is now 2-1 against the Pride this season with two of the games separated by only one run.
Aurora went undefeated in pool play on Saturday defeating the Belleville Stallions (who tied for 3rd), Mascoutah Pete’s Blues (who received an ISC Qualifier berth from Kelso), and #24 ranked Marshall Lightning. Aurora defeated Villa Grove Log Cabin Sunday morning to reach the semi-final game (Villa Grove played a great game on Saturday falling to the eventual champions, #10 ranked Bar of Appleton, 3-2 in 9 innings).
Aurora’s 12-game winning streak was finally broken in the semi-final game Sunday afternoon. This eventful game was accurately covered by Mark Tupper of the Herald & Review:
“The Pride reached the title game with a 4-3 victory over Aurora Dolan & Murphy, another game that turned on an umpire's call. Aurora led 2-1 going into the bottom of the second. Greg Morganthaler and Casey Spears singled for the Pride and Arnold moved the runners to second and third. The Pride went ahead 3-2 on Drew Minton's two-run single but during a stoppage when the home plate umpire called timeout, Aurora pitcher Ales Jetmar uncorked a warmup pitch that no one seemed prepared for. The practice pitch glanced off catcher Robert Reder's shoulder and clipped the umpire, Lloyd Stewart, in his right ear. Blood splattered onto Stewart's shirt and it didn't take him long to throw Jetmar out of the game. Joe Crouch replaced Jetmar and Rick Minton was the first batter he faced. Minton promptly singled to center, scoring his son, Drew. That turned out to be the winning run after Aurora scored its third run on Adam Perkins' leadoff homer in the fourth. Brent Stevenson was the winning pitcher, giving way in the sixth to Gollan.”
Mark Tupper's coverage of H&R Shootout The Shamrocks continue to get outstanding performances from their pitching staff, which will be without Jeramie Holman until the ISC World Tournament. Although his tournament was cut short by his ejection in the semi-final game, Ales Jetmar (14-3) still finished 2-1, striking out 19 batters and allowing only 14 hits in 15 innings of work. Even more impressive was Joe Crouch’s performance finishing with a 2-0 record allowing only 7 hits and striking out 15 in his 15 innings of work. Joe came into the semi-final game following Jetmar’s ejection in the bottom of the second inning and kept Aurora right where it needed to be surrendering only one hit to Decatur in his 6 innings of work.
The Shamrocks also continue to provide plenty of run support for their pitchers. Centerfielder, Jim Pecoraro led the drive all weekend for Aurora finishing 11-18 (.611) with 3 homeruns, 1 triple, 4 doubles, and 7 rbi. His biggest hit was a solo shot to right field off of Marshall Lightning’s Sean Kelly in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 0-0 tie in what was a great pitchers’ duel between Jetmar and Kelly. Also hot at the plate this weekend were Adam Perkins (7-16, 1 homerun, 4 doubles, and 6 rbi), PJ McKinney (5-12 with 2 doubles and 3 rbi), and Dave Perkins (2 homeruns).
The Shamrocks are next in action at home for the Aurora Dolan & Murphy Stars & Stripes Classic over 4th of July weekend. Schedule available at
Stars & Stripes Classic (Aurora, IL) on Al's. Dave Perkins
Internet Writer
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