Spartans learn postseason foe, lose close game at Charleston

Playing for the first time in a week after inclement weather caused multiple postponements, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team suffered a close road loss on Wednesday evening.

The Spartans lost 2-1 in eight innings at Charleston on a walk-off hit by the Trojans in the bottom of the eighth.

Wednesday’s game came after SJO (17-7-2) was supposed to start the week with an Illini Prairie Conference game on Monday at Olympia and a home nonconference game against Fisher on Tuesday, but both were postponed because of bad weather.

SJO received solid pitching against Charleston, with Crayton Burnett throwing seven innings and giving up one run on four hits, overcoming four walks and striking out six. Zach Martini was tagged with the loss, giving up two hits and the game-winning run in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one and walked one.

Charleston took a 1-0 lead after the first inning, and the score remained that way until the top of the sixth.

With two outs, Sam Wesley singled to left field and Nick Boggs followed with a single up the middle. Drew Coursey walked to load the bases, which proved crucial since Wesley scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 1.
Wesley (2 for 3) and Boggs (2 for 4) led SJO’s offense, while Brayden Weaver doubled and Burnett added a single.

After having a week in between games, SJO is slated for several in the next few days.

The Spartans, who are 6-1 in league action, resume Illini Prairie on Friday by traveling to play at Olympia at 4:30 p.m. and then ending the week with two games on Saturday at the SJO Invitational, which is set for a 9:30 a.m. start.

Also on Wednesday, SJO found out its postseason draw with the Illinois High School Association releasing playoff pairings.

SJO earned a No. 2 seed and will open up the postseason at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15 against No. 7 Villa Grove/Heritage in a Class 2A Unity Regional semifinal game in Tolono. SJO already owns a 10-0 win in five innings against Villa Grove/Heritage from both teams’ season openers on March 11 in St. Joseph.

The Unity Regional championship game is slated for 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, with Monticello and Unity meeting in the other regional semifinal game at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16.