Unchartered territory
STRUTHERS, Ohio — John McLaughlin had confidence in his team.
And he was rewarded for it Sunday.
McLaughlin is coach of the Butler Township Gold Federation Colt baseball team that was competing at the Eastern Regional Western Zone double-elimination tournament over the weekend.
After winning single games Thursday and Friday, BT defeated DeHaven twice on Sunday to leave as tourney champs.
The squad improved its overall record to 22-2 and will now head to the Eastern Regional, which begins Wednesday in Greensboro, N.C.
It's the farthest any colt team from Butler has ever gone.
"It's sweet, it's really sweet," said McLaughlin. "I'm really excited for these guys. I coached them when they were seven, eight, nine year-olds and got 'em back when they were 13.
"They're no longer boys, they're young men."
Butler Township was familiar with DeHaven even before both teams made it to Ohio.
"They were in the North Hills Federation League with us during the regular season," said McLaughlin.
DeHaven accounted for one of Butler Township's two defeats at the end of the regular season when the latter had just nine healthy players.
The rivals met Sunday morning and Butler Township came away with an 8-2 win.
But DeHaven went to the loser's bracket and prevailed, setting up a rematch with BT at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Again Butler Township won, 7-5.
"I'm happy and sad at the same time," said McLaughlin. "(DeHaven) is a great organization. They're a tough, tough team and I'm glad we didn't have to play them a third time."
While BT will attempt to continue its incredible season later this week, it's already been a success.
"This is my fourth year of coaching these kids," McLaughlin said. "We had never gotten past the satellite round, which is before the tournament we just won."
Assistant coaches for Butler Township include Mike Campbell, Donny Skunda and Dave Schmidt.
"Without those three guys, we wouldn't be as good as we are," said McLaughlin.
Notes: Picking up the win for Butler Township in Sunday's first game was Joey Marak, with Vinnie Schmidt earning a save. ... Marak added three singles in the 8-2 win, while Mason McLaughlin, Dave Schmidt and Cody Montgomery all contributed a hit. ... Vinnie Schmidt won Sunday's second game. ... Tony Campbell added three singles, Buddy Rekich had two hits and Dave Schmidt, Marak, Alek Bollinger and Tanner McCaw all had one hit. ... The Eastern Regional will be a double-elimination tournament. If Butler Township wins there, it will travel to Illinois for the Colt World Series next month.
