River Forest 11U Team Wins State Title One Year After Loss

Sometimes the best comeback stories happen when kids get a second chance to prove what they're made of.

The River Forest 11U baseball team captured the Illinois state championship on July 29, exactly one year after losing the title game to the same opponent. This time, they beat Hinsdale 3-2 in a nail-biter that came down to the final out.

The game turned on a perfectly executed play in the first inning. With runners on first and third, Nate Kardosh took off for second base to draw a throw. The moment the catcher released the ball, Dawson Przyborowski bolted from third and slid home safely for the game's first run.

"Once I saw the catcher was throwing it down to second base, I knew I had to start running," said Przyborowski, whose father Josh coaches the team. "It was exciting and it helped us settle in with the lead."

Pitcher Jack Hanley made that early run stand up. He threw a complete game, giving up just two runs while battling through pressure situations.

The biggest moment came in the sixth inning with two outs and bases loaded. Hanley painted the corner for a called third strike to seal the victory and send his teammates into celebration mode.

"At the time, I was thinking we've been waiting for this for a year," said shortstop Michael Berger. "Last year we got second and it was great to beat them back."

The Ripple Effect

River Forest dominated all season, finishing 22-2 with 19 straight wins to close out the year. They won eight games in the state tournament alone, including a 12-0 semifinal victory over Moline just two hours before the championship.

Coach Przyborowski credits the team's special chemistry. These kids have grown up together in the neighborhood and choose to keep playing together instead of splitting up for travel teams. They'll reunite next year for 12U competition, when Little League World Series opportunities open up.

"We remind them that baseball is a tough game and it's a game where you have to learn to deal with adversity," Przyborowski said. "Nobody should feel like they are out there by themselves."

The players already understand that lesson better than most adults.