Chippewa Falls High School

Legion baseball: Chippewa Falls survives Eau Claire rally, advances to state

In a wild and whacky game, it came down to the final swing of the bat.

Chippewa Falls Post 77 made the play and celebrated its entry into the American Legion AAA state tournament next week in Beloit.

Chippewa hung on for an 8-7 win over defending champion Pizza Hut Eau Claire in the championship game of the regional Friday afternoon at Carson Park.

"We missed in high school and this was our last chance to go to state," Post 77 pitcher Justin Jaquish said. "It feels real good."

Chippewa Falls had defeated Eau Claire in a first-day game Thursday, 11-3, and Pizza Hut would have had to beat Post 77 twice to go to state — a tall order.

"In talking with (Eau Claire manager Mark) Faanes, he said he's seen a lot of the top-level teams and feels we can go deep in the tournament," Chippewa Falls manager Mike Thompson said. "It's just a matter of us going out and doing it. We're looking forward to the challenge."

The loss denied Eau Claire a state berth for the first time in six years and a Faanes-led team for the first time since 1991.

But there was no crying the blues.

"This was well-deserved by Chippewa," Faanes said. "They play good baseball, hit the ball and Justin pitched a great game. They are deserving and will represent us well."

For a fraction of a moment, however, there was some question. Pizza Hut rallied in the top of the ninth, getting a three-run homer from Mitch DeGrasse to pull within one and still had life after a Chippewa Falls error and base on balls put two men on with two out.

Jason Faanes, the No. 8 batter in the order, drilled a 350-foot drive to center.

"Right when it was hit, I thought it might go out," Jaquish said.

But he was relieved moments later when center fielder Brett Vavra got on his horse and tracked it down near the warning track.

"Off his bat, I thought it had a shot," Mark Faanes said. "But the center fielder went back and made a great catch."

Jaquish, the decorated left-hander, battled in a duel with Pizza Hut right-hander Jake Sparger under a hot sun that produced temperatures near the 90-degree mark.

Sparger allowed 13 hits but no walks and only one earned run, while Jaquish yielded eight hits, struck out eight and walked six.

"I got a little tired but the guys came up with some nice plays for me," Jaquish said.

Thompson said he wasn't about to lift his southpaw.

"Justin wanted it badly and we just decided to go with him," Thompson said. "He was fatigued but we wanted to grind it out with him. It was a testament to his will.

Chippewa Falls Fastpitch Tourney set to go on Saturday | Softball ...

I would like to personally invite all of you to our Chippewa Falls Softball Invitational on this Saturday May 21 at Casper Park in Chippewa Falls.  Here is a link to the tournament web-site with information on teams as well as directions to the park.  

http://halliepark.com/chihi_invite.htm  

We are very excited to have some of the top teams and players in the state of Wisconsin on display in one event.  The teams competing this year are LaCrosse Central, Rice Lake, Chippewa Falls, Kaukauna, Stevens Point, Ashwaubenon, Watertown, and Wilmot.  All teams will play 3 games.   The complex is set up where it is very easy for you to watch any of the 4 games at one time from one central location.  If you have any questions on the tournament please don’t hesitate to ask.  Thank you and I hope to see you at the fields this Saturday.

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