Woodstock lets win slip away

Woodstock American Legion Post 412's Aaron Kovac dives to catch a fly ball in the third inning against American Legion Post 76 during District 11 American Legion Tourney at Crystal Lake Central High School on July 17, 2009. (Lauren M. Anderson - landerson@nwherald.com)

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CRYSTAL LAKE – A day after trouncing Plainfield by 10 runs, Woodstock’s American Legion baseball team came within two outs of knocking off the top seed in the District 11 Tournament on Friday.

Wheaton, after tying the score in the ninth, defeated third-seeded Woodstock, 4-3, in 10 innings in the second round of the double-elimination tournament at Crystal Lake Central High School.

“I was very, very proud of these kids today,” Woodstock coach Steve Furlano said.

He had plenty of reasons to be, especially with starting pitcher Garrett Gee, a 2009 Woodstock High School graduate.

Gee was two outs away from throwing a complete-game victory before being stung by a bit of bad luck.

After Gee surrendered a leadoff walk to open the top of the ninth with Woodstock ahead, 3-2, Furlano began the march out of the dugout to replace his starter. 

“No, no, no, no. I’m fine. I’m fine,” Gee hollered.

Back into the dugout walked Furlano, who moments earlier had challenged his players to “take control” of the game.

Gee obliged by striking out the next hitter looking on a low, biting curveball. However, a fielding error one batter later, followed by an RBI single, allowed Wheaton to tie the score, 3-3.

With two outs, reliever Aaron Kovac, who threw six innings the day before, answered the call, as well.

“Aaron told me, ‘Coach, I’ve got one inning left in me,’ ” Furlano said.

Kovac, a college freshman, forced the game into extra innings by striking out a Wheaton pinch-hitter with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth. He also retired the first two hitters he faced in the 10th before Woodstock yielded the winning run on a controversial call at third base on a fielder’s choice.

Kovac and Chase Hauschildt both had two-out RBI singles for Woodstock, giving their team a lead it held until the ninth.

Pitcher Jordan Hanlon picked up the victory for Wheaton in relief. 

The five-team tournament continues today and Sunday at Central. Woodstock faces Elgin at 10 a.m, with the winner advancing to the 4:30 p.m. game against the loser of today’s 1 p.m. game between Crystal Lake and Wheaton.