A Nail‑Biter at the Diamond
The Bellwood‑Antis Blue Devils pulled off a surprising 4‑3 victory over the top‑seeded Bishop McCort Crushers in a District 6 Class 2A semifinal on Tuesday night, securing a spot in the championship game against the Mount Union Trojans.
A four‑run second inning set the tone, highlighted by Brady McConnell’s RBI single up the middle that brought home the first run, followed by Alex McCartney’s two‑run double and Caleb Plummer’s perfectly placed bunt that advanced McCartney and scored another tally.
Key Plays Define the Victory
Bishop McCort answered with a run‑scoring single from Brady Page, and a near‑miss by Jonathan Delia that was thwarted by a bullet‑fast throw from Bradyn Partner at home plate, preserving the lead.
The Crushers added two more runs in the third, but a critical error on Mason Dugan’s grounder to third allowed the Blue Devils to extend their advantage. Pitching changes kept the game tight, with Killian Worthing and Nate Denhard trading scoreless frames before Curtis Shedlock entered in the fifth and shut the door, earning the save.
A Historic Opportunity
Coach Adam Plummer praised his team’s composure, noting they have not reached the playoffs in five or six years and have not captured a district title in roughly two decades. He said the squad is eager for the upcoming championship, the site and time of which are still to be determined.
The Blue Devils will meet the defending champions, the Mount Union Trojans, next Tuesday. While the venue and kickoff time remain pending, the anticipation among players, coaches, and fans is already building.