By K.D. Norris
As the District 9 Southern Senior League team represents the state of Michigan at the Senior Little League Central Regional tournament starting this weekend, WKTV on Sunday will air all the team’s games from their title run at last weekend’s Michigan State Senior tournament on Comcast Cable Channel 24.
Having televised live Southern’s first three games, and recording the two-game finals series, WKTV will begin its game marathon at noon on Sunday, July 23, with a special 15-minute Finals Preview and highlight show hosted by WKTV announcers Paul Kabelman and Rob Gee.
Following the Finals Preview will be the team’s five games played, in order, starting at about 12:15 p.m. with the Friday, July 14, game when Southern defeated District 16 Onsted 22-1 in a 5 innings.
The Saturday, July 15, game, when Southern defeated District 7 St. Clair 10-1 in 7 innings, will start at about 2:05 p.m.; the Sunday, July 16, game, when Southern defeated District 4 Commerce, 27-3 in 5 innings, will start at about 4:10 p.m.; the first title series game from Monday, July 17, when Southern lost to District 5 Taylor NW, 9-4 in 7 innings, will start at about 6:10 p.m.; and the second title game from Monday, July 17, when Southern defeated District 5 Taylor NW 13-3 in 7 innings to win the state title, will start at about 9 p.m.
Southern opens play at regional tournament
At the Central Regional tournament, along with teams from nine other Midwest states, in Peru, Ill., Southern will open tournament play with two games this weekend. First, Saturday, July 22, at 3:30 p.m., Southern will play at a field in Peru, against a team from Richmond, Ky.; then, on Sunday, July 23, at 3 p.m., Southern will play at a field in Oglesby, Ill.
The Southern team is an all-star team made up of players, age 15-16, selected by the coaches from four Senior level teams who played in the Southern Little League this season.
The Southern team is managed by Jamie Billo, with coaches Jim Passinault and Pat Batka.
The players include, from Central Catholic High School, Myles Beale, a centerfielder and pitcher; Matt Moore, outfielder/catcher; Kyle Tepper, 3rd base/outfielder/pitcher; Luke Passinault, 2nd base/outfielder; Joe Collins, outfielder/pitcher; and Nate Trudeau, short stop.
From East Grand Rapids are Reilly O’Connor, infielder and pitcher; Micah Baermann pitcher/outfield; Billy Bernecker, 1st base/outfield; John Shelton lV, catcher; Jack Billo, 3rd base; Peter Kratt, outfield; Ryan Sullivan, pitcher; and Nick Lambert, pitcher.
Also on the team are, from Grand Rapids Christian, Keegan Batka, middle infielder and pitcher, and Luke Elzinga, 1st base/pitcher.
All District 9 Southern games played at the state tournament are available on DVDs at WKTV.org/shop.
