SOFTBALL: Knights win Terry Deering Memorial; Falcons' Dudek named MVP

This past weekend, Greg Hale Field in Pinckneyville hosted the 18th Annual Terry Deering Memorial mens fast-pitch softball tournament, and with an overall record of 4-1 in the round-robin format, the Central Illinois Knights took home the first place trophy.

Belleville Stallions pitcher Mike Godar took home tournament Most Valuable Pitcher honors with a 2-1 record and a mere five earned runs, while the Pinckneyville Falcons' Drew Dudek brought home Most Valuable Player with his impressive weekend where he was on base in 16 of his 21 plate appearances. Dudek finished 9-for-17 with 7 runs scored and 7 RBIs with a pair of stolen bases for the Falcons, who finished the tournament 3-2.

"Drew had a great weekend," said Falcons player-coach Eric Saunders. "He's become a very solid player for us in a very short time. He plays a lot of positions for us and plays them all well. Hope he can keep it up."

The tournament started out well for Pinckneyville, as they whipped up on Kelso Fastpitch 13-6 on Friday evening with a 13-hit attack on offense. After trailing 3-0 after the top of the first, Matt Mason belted a three-run homer to tie it, and later in the game Bryant Shute cranked a grand slam to put it away for the Falcons. Troy Downen got the win, allowing five earned runs on ten hits in five innings, striking out seven. Shute (2-4, GS, 4 RBI), Dudek (3-4, 3 RBI), Mason (1-3, HR, 3 RBI), Hayden Hicks (3-4, 2 RBI), Lyle Winter (1-3), John Kiselewski (1-2), Garrick Hale (1-2) and Steve Linton (1-3) had hits against Kelso.

Next up on Saturday morning, the Falcons took advantage of eight walks and knocked off the St. Charles Tribe 12-5 with eight different players registering hits. Kiselewski got the win in the circle with five runs allowed on six hits and three walks with two Ks in the five-inning short-game. Shute (1-4, RBI), Dudek (1-3, RBI), Hicks (1-3), Hale (1-1, RBI), Winter (1-1, 2 RBI), Saunders (1-1, RBI), C.J. Opp (1-1, 2 RBI) and Brandon Hardin (1-2, RBI) hit safely for Pinckneyville.

It looked as though Pinckneyville would roll into Sunday with a 3-0 mark on Saturday night when the Falcons posted five runs in the top of the seventh inning to grab a 6-4 lead from the Knights. The rally included RBI base hits by Dudek and Hicks and a two-run bomb from Mason to chase Ales Jetmar from the circle.

But the Knights answered in the bottom of the inning, plating three runs after three singles and a walk. Toby Ring delivered the game-winning hit past a diving Shute at shortstop, and the Knights' seventh run crossed home when the ball was overran by the left fielder. Downen was charged with the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks and a hit batter with one strikeout in three-plus innings of relief work for starter Bryant Hale. Dudek (1-4, 2 RBI), Hicks (1-4, RBI), Mason (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Saunders (1-3) and Linton (2-2) had hits for the Falcons.

"We are obviously disappointed with how we played," Saunders said. "We've got to be able to hold onto a lead and need better defensive play from all our outfielders."

Pinckneyville rebounded with a 5-3 win over Bowen Fastpitch on Sunday, getting a strong performance by B. Hale in the circle. The right-hander allowed six hits and struck out eight. Dudek (2-3), Hicks (2-3, RBI), Winter (2-4, 2 RBI), Saunders (1-3) and Adam Barczewski (2-2, RBI) hit safely for the Falcons.

In their final game, the Falcons took on the Belleville Stallions, dropping the game 7-3. Downen took the loss on the rubber. Shute (1-2), Dudek (2-3, RBI), Hicks (1-4, RBI), Mason (2-4) and Linton (2-3) had hits for Pinckneyville.

"The tournament continues to get a lot of support in Pinckneyville and the other teams like coming here," Saunders said of the event. "We had a lot of fans out here the whole time. Again we would like to thank our sponsors, concession workers, along with Alan Englehardt and Greg Hale for all time they put into it as well. "

The Falcons (6-4) will play on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the first round of the 31st Annual Kelso Klassic against Weezer's Pub (Kansas City). The three-game-guarantee event continues through Sunday.