Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
KAU FALLS TO TAIPEI IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Kennett area baseball team returning home as national champs
While most of us were taking advantage of enjoying our leisure time since the end of June through the summer, the K AU team led by Coach Matt Patterson, demonstrated immense teamwork, drive, determination, and execution of the fundamentals, that translated into an undefeated run into the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Michigan.
Leading up to the World Championship game, KAU had big wins against teams from Texas and North Carolina, which translated into them becoming U.S. National Champions.
In the World Championship game on Sunday, they faced a very strong team from Chinese Taipei (Taiwan). The Chinese team was so strong, it outscored opponents 141 to 6 during the stretch to the world title. With their win over KAU, this is the fifth year in a row that a
team from Chinese Taipei has won the Junior League World Series.
Chinese Taipei scored three runs in the top of the first inning on a three-run home run and continued to build on their lead throughout the game. In the end, KAU bats could not get going against strong Chinese Taipei pitching that had good command of the strike zone and velocity between 80-85 MPH. At the same time, although KAU only allowed seven hits in the game, walks and errors led to Chinese Taipei extending their lead.
Ultimately, KAU played hard and there were some great highlights for the game. Cory Burns who came on in relief, did a nice job of holding Chinese Taipei in check for a couple of innings, while going two for two on the day at the plate.
However, the big story even overshadowing the win by Chinese Taipei, was one of the most amazing catches in baseball anyone has ever seen by center fielder Jack Regenye. Regenye in full stride ran back to the fence, leaped through the air, extended his glove up, caught the ball, flipped over the fence, and held on to the ball landing on the other side, to rob Yi Hsiang Lin of a home run.
It is a catch that will live on in ESPN highlights for years to come.
“This is the best play you will see at any level in baseball,” said an ESPN announcer. “People here will remember that catch by Regenye forever. It is one of the greatest plays ever on this field, or on any field for that matter. This will go down in Kennett Square lore.”
So after a long summer and 11 days in Michigan, the KAU team as U.S. National Champions should be proud of what they have been able to accomplish. They will carry with them their experiences and memories of the hard work, challenges, friendships, and teamwork for a lifetime.
As the community is proud of the KAU team, there will be a celebration at 7 p.m. Monday night at the K AU Sinton Field located on Leslie Road off of Route 82 in Kennett Square. Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick is scheduled to lead the celebration.