Steeleville wins first regional title in 16 years

CAMPBELL HILL -- Sixteen years to the day after their last regional title, the Steeleville Warriors ended the drought on Monday.

Owen Gross homered, and Eli Wittenborn hit a two-run double at the plate and picked up the win in relief on the mound, as Steeleville (15-7) beat archrival Trico, 3-2, in the championship game of the Pioneers' own Class 1A regional.

"It's truly amazing to be a part of all this," said Wittenborn, a sidearm right-hander who held Trico scoreless in four innings of action. "Just to help the team out the best I can, to get the seniors their win and get the team the win, it's really amazing."

Steeleville accomplished the win despite just two hits, but took advantage of two key walks by Trico starting pitcher Justin Bauersachs - who struck out 15 and had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning - and two errors by the Pioneers' defense.

To read more about the game, see the May 26 edition of the Herald Tribune's sister paper, the Steeleville Ledger.