Menzel, Princeton post Little League District win

Madison Menzel pitched Princeton to its first District 20 Little League Softball Tournament win in three years with a 3-2 decision over Peru Friday night at Veteran’s Park in Peru.

The Princeton lefty struck out 13 Peru batters. She allowed three hits and three walks.

Menzel’s teammates staked her to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Devin Truedson walked, stole second and third and scored on a RBI hit by Jade Purvis. Lindsay Hartwig brought in Purvis with an infield hit.

Sarah Crowe made it 3-0 with a single in the third and scored on a wild pitch. Menzel gave up two in the fourth but made the 3-2 lead stand up, fanning the final batter with two aboard.

The win snapped a seven-game district skid for Princeton, its first since defeating Peru 9-8 in 2006.

In Friday’s first game, Oglesby pitcher Taylor Naumann out-dueled Spring Valley’s Brenna Faletti in a 4-2 decision.

Mendota stayed hot Monday, defeating Princeton, 13-5.

Spring Valley won Monday’s opener, defeating Bi-County 11-1. Spring Valley and Mendota will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday following the winner’s bracket game between Oglesby and LaSalle.

The 11- and 12-year-old girls’ tournament runs through Friday.

Little League Baseball: The 11- and 12-year-old boys’ tournament started Monday at Princeton’s Zearing Park. Bi-County beat Princeton 12-0 in the tournament opener. Bi-County will meet Spring Valley at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Also Monday, Peru beat Ottawa 9-1.

The tournament runs through Friday, an extra day if necessary. The American Division champ will face the National Division winner, whose tournament runs at the same time in Ottawa, for the district title.

The district champ advances to the sectional tournament in Spring Valley.

Junior League Softball: The 13- and 14-year-old girls’ tournament got underway Monday at Memorial Park in Oglesby. Monday’s winner between Spring Valley and Mendota will face Princeton at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The championship is scheduled for 2 p.m., July 12. The winner advances to the sectional tournament in Peru.

Junior League Baseball: Spring Valley took on Bi-County in the 13- and 14-year-old boys’ tournament at M & H Field in LaSalle. Their winner faces Oglesby at 8 p.m. Tuesday.