NewsTribune sports briefs: Spring Valley loses Central Region opener

The Senior League Baseball Central Region Tournament kicked off Friday with opening ceremonies at Washington Park in Peru.

Games got underway Saturday.

District 20 representative, Spring Valley, lost its opening game 3-2 to Illinois on Saturday afternoon.

Illinois, which is represented by two-time defending champion Burbank, scored on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out the win.

Illinois struck first with a run in the bottom of the fourth.

Spring Valley responded with two runs in the top of the fifth when Hunter Edgcomb scored on a passed ball and Johnathon Stunkel scored on an RBI single by Gus Burr.

Illinois tied it with a solo homer in the sixth before winning it in the seventh.

Burr and Logan Philhower each went 2 for 4 for Spring Valley.

Philhower started on the mound and got a no decision, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out eight batters and walking three in 5 2/3 innings.

Braden Curran took the loss in relief.

Mendota Minor League baseball starts 3-0 at state: The Mendota Minor League baseball team won its first three games at the state tournament over the weekend in Paris, Ill.

Mendota edged Rochelle 3-2 and beat Huntley 9-0 on Saturday before defeating Beardstown 7-5 in 10 innings on Sunday.

Against Rochelle, Kohen Piller went 1 for 3 with a run, while Landon Kent was 1 for 1 with an RBI. Brooks Pawlowski pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Kohen Piller was 3 for 3 with three RBIs and a run against Huntley, while Emilio Areteaga was 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a run. Liam Christmann, Julien Woods, Frank Hochstatter, Connor Reppin, Kent, Kyle Henkel and Cam Phalen each scored a run.

Harry Coss, Reppin, Kohen Piller and Hochstatter combined for a two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts.

Mendota scored two runs in the top of the 10th to beat Beardstown. Pawlowski stole home and Brayden Piller hit an RBI single.

Kohen Piller, Pawlowski and Coss had two hits each. Kohen Pilller scored a run, while Pawlowski and Coss each had two runs and an RBI.

Hochstatter pitched four scoreless innings, allowing one hit with four strikeouts and three walks, while Kent threw two scoreless innings, giving up one hit with two strikeouts and no walks.

Mendota starts bracket play Monday.