Unwavering desire to be champions carries Illinois District 17 to Senior League World Series crown

The Illinois District 17 softball players celebrate winning the Senior League Softball World Series championship Sunday night with a 5-4 victory over Texas in Roxana, Del. | Photo courtesy Tina Bunte

ROXANA, Del. — The Illinois District 17 softball team never flinched. Twice during Sunday’s Senior League World Series championship game, the team from Little River-Academy, Texas, erased one-run deficits, only to see Illinois regain the lead each time. Then, in the eighth inning of a tie game, Texas put two runners in scoring position with…

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District 17 all-stars on verge of World Series crown after pair of shutouts leads to title-game berth

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte delivers a pitch during action at the Senior League World Series in Roxana, Del. | Photo courtesy Tina Bunte

ROXANA, Del. — One more to glory. The Illinois District 17 softball team, composed of players throughout West-Central and Central Illinois, is one victory away from a Senior League World Series championship. A fitting winner-take-all finale will decide it. The Land of Lincolners will face the Southwest Region champions from Texas at 6 p.m. Sunday…

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Pool play ends with Illinois District 17 in perfect position to chase Senior League World Series title

Illinois District 17's Mia Volpert homered and drove in five runs during Thursday's 16-1 victory over the Czech Republic in the final game of pool play at the Senior League World Series in Roxana, Del. | Photo courtesy Tina Bunte

ROXANA, Del. — An emphatic ending to a perfect stretch of play has the Illinois District 17 softball team looking like the team to beat. If the Land of Lincolners can keep that going, a World Series championship is within reach. District 17 finished an undefeated run through pool play at the Senior League World…

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Extra-inning victory pushes Illinois District 17 softball squad to top of pool at World Series

The Illinois District 17 softball team poses for a picture before a game during the Senior League World Series in Roxana, Del. | Submitted photo

ROXANA, Del. — One miscue won’t derail the Illinois District 17 softball team’s mission to win a World Series title. Leading Calgary, Alberta, by two runs in the sixth inning Wednesday at Lyons Field, the Land of Lincolners allowed two unearned runs as a fielding error contributed to the Canadian uprising. A pickoff ended the…

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Illinois District 17 all-stars heading back to Delaware and Senior League World Series

The Illinois District 17 softball team celebrates winning the Central Regional and advancing to the Senior League World Series in Roxana, Del. | Submitted photo

BYRON CENTER, Mich. — Delaware, here they come. And a prolific offense is coming with them. The Illinois District 17 softball team is returning to the Senior League World Series in Roxana, Del., after overwhelming the Central Regional field with an unstoppable offense. Illinois took out Ohio District 2 in Thursday’s championship, winning 16-3 behind…

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Dominant pitching, hitting carries Illinois District 17 softball squad into Central Regional semifinals

BYRON CENTER, Mich. — Two games into the Senior League Softball Central Regional, the Illinois District 17 all-stars have created quite a debate. Which will the Land of Lincolners finish the tournament with more of — runs, hits or strikeouts? Right now,they’re piling up all three.. Tuesday’s 14-0 victory over Michigan District 2 featured Springfield’s…

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Brimming with confidence, Illinois squad proves it belongs on softball’s biggest stage

The Illinois District 17 softball team celebrates its 5-4 victory over Canada in Wednesday's game during the pool play stage of the Senior League Softball World Series in Roxana, Del. | Photo courtesy ESPN

ROXANA, Del. — A glimmer of hope is all that was needed. When the Illinois District 17 softball team headed to the Central Regional in Michigan, advancing to the Senior League Softball World Series was still a pipedream, even if a spot in the 10-team field was only four victories away. “I think there were…

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Illinois sends softball team to Senior League World Series after impressive run to regional title

The Illinois District 17 softball team won the Central Regional to earn a berth in the 2022 Senior League Softball World Series. | Submitted photo

BYRON CENTER, Mich. — A loss in the opening game of the Senior League Softball Central Regional didn’t put the Illinois District 17 players on their heels. It motivated them. The Illinois crew rebounded to win four consecutive games and the regional championship, culminating the run with a 6-3 victory Tuesday night over the Michigan…

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