The Portage Little League senior division (ages 15-16) All Star team defeated Valparaiso 12-0 on Saturday night to become the District 1 champion and punch its ticket to State in Fort Wayne. Since the district tournament was hosted at the Portage Little League complex, the players were able to celebrate on their home field.
The Portage boys, most of whom played junior varsity or freshman ball at PHS last school year, exploded for eight runs in the third inning to break the game wide open. Right handed flamethrower Chris Klenk did the rest, limiting Valparaiso to just four hits in a complete game win. The contest was halted after five innings due to the ten run rule.
“I was confident with the guys I had behind me, and I knew that we were going to shut them down tonight,” Klenk said.
Klenk improved his pitching mark to 3-0 in District Championship games. He notched victories against Hobart in both the 2009 13-year old finals and the 2010 junior league championship.
“I’m psyched for state this year because we’ve got a way better team than we’ve had in the past and we’ve all got our heads on straight right now,” Klenk said.
Patrick Derr led off the game with a walk and eventually scored the first run. After that, Valparaiso pitcher Brenden Sutherland settled into a groove, until the third inning, which saw 12 men come to the plate. CJ Haupt and Klenk stroked back-to-back run scoring doubles to start the rally. Haupt capped it off with a single to drive in Justin Newcomb, who had tripled.
Portage poured it on with three more tallies in the fourth inning to secure the victory and championship banner. Haupt and Cody Bruns posted two hits each to lead the balanced offensive attack. Substitutes also played a key role as Anthony Norgan and Kameron Sorenson each launched doubles in their only trips to the plate. Hitting has been contagious for the squad this season.
“The first inning or second inning we have been starting out slow. Then in the third or fourth, once we get a couple runs, it’s a snowball effect,” manager Mark Newcomb said.
Portage has received a forfeit for the Sectional round, allowing the team to go straight to Fort Wayne.
“I’m in limbo. We’ve got 11 days to stay fresh and then just play tough whoever we play,” Newcomb said.
At the conclusion of the game, the team received two banners commemorating their district and sectional titles. Players and coaches on both sides were given hat pins in a ceremony on the field. The postgame festivities also included a victory lap around the field and a failed attempt by two players to dump a cooler of water over their manager’s head.
Portage will travel to state on July 29 to play against an opponent that has not yet been determined. The players hope to collect another banner or two before their run comes to an end.
Click here for a full photo gallery from the game... or click here to read about the game from a Valpo perspective!