Simeon ready for Class AA regional final

After a disappointing loss to Lane Tech in the Public League baseball play-off semifinals, the Wolverines of Simeon now have their focus on the IHSA state Class AA playoffs. Saturday, they will look to continue their pursuit of a state title when they play in the finals of the DeLaSalle regional at 11 a.m.

The Wolverines, who advanced to the regional finals with a 22-2 thumping of Dunbar, will play the winner of Friday's DeLaSalle-Phillips contest.

"That was very disappointing not to get a chance to defend our city title game," Simeon head coach Leroy Franklin told the Defender. "Losing to Lane Tech was very, very disappointing. It was a game that we felt we should have won, but we just made too many mistakes."

In the victory over the Mighty Men, Simeon lashed out 18 hits as David Reed had a massive day at the plate with five hits and seven RBI.

No Public League teams have won a state baseball title since 1973 when Hubbard pulled it off. However, Franklin said his team feels it can go far in the state playoffs.

"If we can play the kind of baseball I know we can play and not make a lot of mistakes, we feel we can play with any team in the state," Franklin added.

A win in Saturday's game would advance Simeon to the state sectionals next week at Mt. Carmel.

In other Class AA regional action this weekend, Harlan will play in the championship game of the Harlan Regional Saturday at noon. The Falcons will play the winner of Friday's Hyde Park-Julian game.

A Harlan-Hyde Park regional final, would be a rematch of last week's Public League playoff game won easily by Harlan, 18-1.

Harlan reached the regional final with a 13-9 win over Washington as Marcus Edwards homered and drove in four runs and Robert Cooley had four hits.

"We can't think about playing against Harlan," Hyde Park head coach Ernest Radcliffe said. "We have to play Julian first."

Public League champion Lane Tech will also be in action Saturday when they play in the final of the Morton East regional.

Lane Tech earned a trip to the regional final with a 7-0 forfeit victory over Collins.

Article copyright REAL TIMES Inc.

Photograph (The Simeon Wolverines)