World baseball congress report:  Illinois jayhawks win, Portland runner-up

Good morning baseball fans, it’s a beautiful day in Portland.  Portland hosted the world baseball congress national tournament this weekend.  The action was hot and intense. The rockets, riding a 19 game winning streak took on all comers and beat em.  In pool play, Portland defeated Decatur 8-3, then the Illinois jayhawks 5-0, then the Louisville angels 6-2  But  come the championship game Sunday, an old formula became the determining factor.  Illinois jayhawks win the crown defeating Portland 3-1, the formula pitching, defense, and timely hitting.  They seized the day scoring just 3 runs, 2 earned off starter eric van matre and made all the plays.  The rockets streak ended with scoring opportunites squandered, and the jayhawks closer struck out 7 of the last 9 outs recorded.

Jayhawks out hit the rockets 5 to 4 and took the title for the 2^nd time in 3 years.  Battle creek mich. The winner last year.

Portland knocked out Decatur 8-3 in the first game, that makes the 6^th consecutive win this year over the dirty birds.  Brad benbow the winner going 5 innings. Justin marrero’s 3 run home run the big blow. Portland then defeated the jayhawks sat. nite 5-0 behind a stellar pitching performance by devin wilburn. Wilburn went the distance scattering 7 hits striking out 7. ben smith had 3 hits, 2 triples and cody Campbell had 4 hits  the team had 14 hits .

Championship Sunday was baseball on stage, drama , suspense  hey, it was the gunfight at the ok corral---rockets beat the Louisville angels 6-2 but in the 6^th inn. The Louisville pitcher hit rocket shortstop brady roundtree in the head, and it was on like donky kong,  both brady and the catcher had to be restrained,  words were exchanged, I think I heard rocky Williams reprimand a rocket saying, “rockets don’t do that “  and he is rght on----

We are representatives of Portland and we do it right,, order restored and bollenbacher goes the distance to garner the win.  Mark isenberg hit a towering homer to left.

Now hear is an acorn for you,,,, Rodney miles of miles mowing and lawncare would blast that loud airhorn for each rocket rally and it surely got all of south west portland’s attention. Thanks Rodney good stuff

Mayor bruce hosier was on hand sat. to throw out the first pitch and was there sat. too.  Samantha Thomas was on hand to cover the action…..many former rockets on hand to root for the rockets, thanks to chris hearn, steve takats, larry chittum and many others. Also former rocket and now college coach kurt rammel now at tiffin university was on hand with his folks.  He is recruiting some of the rocket players.  

In the 4 game field Portland went 3-1, so did the Illinois jayhawks they just won the championship game.  Again the loss marks the end of the 19 game win streak, leaving the team record at 37-10.  our last loss was july  3, in the championship game again at the 4^th of july tournament in ft. wayne.

On the weekend heath Williams went 7 for 15, ben smith went 6-11 with 6 rbi, and cody Campbell went 6-13 to lead the rocket attack…

Rockets will take that airhorn and travel to ft wayne fri to start the nabf  national tournament----fri action 10 am vs. lamargarita blues at  Concordia field

What I take from this tournament,  not just the runner up trophy but that we have winners here in Portland,,,,,,support and community involvement.  It is about the people, players and fans…. Many compliments given to Portland,,,about the field, the team, the hospitality.  Congrats to the winners, the Illinois jayhawks of Chicago,,,,,,but we are sure sitting pretty good right here in jayland,,,,love ya in portland 

Randy miller pg 14