Deerfield 8U Warriors Take Home GYB 8U Summer Classic Title to End Season

Glenview, Illinois - The Deerfield 8U Warriors capped off a terrific 2013 campaign with an impressive weekend at the Glenview Youth Baseball 8U Summer Classic by posting a 5-0 record in the tournament and taking home the championship with a win over Buffalo Grove Blue on Sunday.  In pool play, Deerfield posted a 7-3 victory over a tough Vernon Hills squad in the tourney opener.  Solid pitching and defense carried the Warriors, who did not commit a single error in the game.  Alex Kenyon had a key RBI double in the game to help a determined Warrior squad beat the Cougars.  Next, Deerfield faced one of the host teams, Glenview Blue, in a steady downpour and under a brilliant rainbow.  The Warriors beat Glenview Blue 12-5 as Chase Rosenbloom's 2-run home run paced Deerfield.  The 8U Warriors, however, were not done and turned in another gritty performance against Glenview Red.  Pitchers Judd Blackstone, Aden Siegel and Gavin Picklin helped the Warriors to a 14-8 win in the final pool play tilt. 

At 3-0 in pool play, Deerfield was the top seed moving into the single-elimination bracket and its Semi-Final contest against Northbrook's Strike Zone.  In a back and forth epic battle, Deerfield went into the bottom of the 5th inning down 17 to 9.  However, the Warriors charged all the way back with an eight run 5th inning.  Dylan Sussman had two key hits in the Warriors rally.  Tied 17-17 going into the top of the 6th, Andrew Glassberg tossed a perfect 1-2-3 top of the 6th.  Then, Jeremy "Mo" Yanow led off the bottom of the frame with a line drive single to center and advanced to second on an overthrow.  Next, Alex Fern hit a towering walk-off bomb over the left fielder's head to score Yanow and complete the dramatic comeback victory.  "I am so proud of these boys.  Everyone contributed to this win.  The boys never gave up, they never lost composure and they kept battling," Coach Andrew Bleiman said after the game.  "This team was awesome today and it was fun to be a part of a game that they will likely remember for the rest of their lives,"  added Coach Jake Katz. 

In the Championship game, Deerfield was matched up against Buffalo Grove Blue.  Deerfield took an early 4-0 lead behind solid hitting and base running from lead-off hitter Miles Cohan.  Buffalo Grove fought back to take a 5-4 lead in the second.  However, Bradley Bleiman pitched two great innings in relief and Robert Getty made a phenomenal diving stab in left field to keep the game close until the Warrior bats could take over. Deerfield added 6 runs in the bottom of the third to take a 10-4 lead. Pesky BG Blue continued to put the ball in play but great defense from Zach Chalmers helped seal the win.  Closer Andrew Glassberg pitched a masterful 1-2-3 frame to finish off the 12-7 victory for the tournament championship.

The Deerfield 8U Warriors roster includes Judd Blackstone, Bradley Bleiman, Zach Chalmers, Miles Cohan, Alex Fern, Robert Getty, Andrew Glassberg, Alex Kenyon, Gavin Picklin, Chase Rosenbloom, Aden Siegel, Dylan Sussman and Jeremy Yanow, and is coached by Andrew Bleiman, Jake Katz, Brian Fern, Adam Picklin and Perry Rosenbloom. 

The Warriors look forward to league play in Glenview this fall.