Little League notebook: Off day with the Colts

Hamilton West Side's Shaun Brandenburg (center) is congratulated by Korren Thompson (11) and Zach Evans (5) after hitting a three-run home run in a Great Lakes Regional Little League tournament game on Monday at Stokley Field in Indianapolis. Staff photo by Nick Daggy

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Hamilton West Side's Shaun Brandenburg (center) is congratulated by Korren Thompson (11) and Zach Evans (5) after hitting a three-run home run in a Great Lakes Regional Little League tournament game on Monday at Stokley Field in Indianapolis. Staff photo by Nick Daggy

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By Jay Morrison, Staff Writer 9:40 PM Monday, August 8, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — After playing four games in four days at the Great Lakes Regional in Indianapolis, the Hamilton West Side Little League team will be off today.

And no one is happier about it than Zach Evans.

The West Side second baseman is a huge Indianapolis Colts fan, and the team is planning on making a trip to Anderson University this morning to watch training camp.

“I can’t wait,” Evans said. “I’ve been a fan ever since I knew who the Colts were. I’m looking forward to meeting Peyton Manning and (Anthony) Gonzalez.”

Evans’ parents are big Bengals fans, but he didn’t bother following their allegiance.

“They hate the Colts,” he said. “Especially since the Colts always win and actually make the playoffs.”

Friendly fire: West Side utility player Christian Acus, who caught the final out in Sunday’s win against Wisconsin, had to make a trip to the first-aid office right before Monday’s game against Michigan.

Acus suffered a cut above his left eye when coach Josh Sams accidentally hit him with a bat.

“I was picking up the bat as he was bending down to get a catcher’s mask and I just caught him with the end of it,” Sams said. “The cut wasn’t too big. He didn’t need stitches or anything. He’s a tough kid.”

Acus went 1-for-1 with a single to right, raising his average to a team-high .500 in regional play.

Regional history: Top-seed Indiana (4-0) will have history on its side when the single-elimination semifinals begin Wednesday.

Since the Great Lakes Regional was created in 2001, seven teams have gone 4-0 in pool play and six have gone on to win the championship. The only time it didn’t happen was in 2007 when Illinois and West Side both went 4-0, with West Side winning it all.

Seven of the previous No. 1 seeds have gone on to win the championship. West Side will try to join the 2009 Kentucky squad as the only No. 4 seeds to advance to the Little League World Series.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.

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