“That’s kind of a coach’s job,” Coomer said. “Keep the kids humble, make sure they understand what it’s all about and don’t get too confident. We’re here to win it. We’re not just happy to get where we’re at.”
Hamilton and Hinsdale (Ill.) are the last two unbeaten teams in the modified double-elimination event, and they’ll square off at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Grand Park.
The winner will head straight to Saturday’s championship game. The loser will have to win a game Friday to get to the final.
REGIONAL GAME 1: West Side 22, Wausau National (Wis.) 4
REGIONAL GAME 2: West Side 10, Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores (Mich.) 2
“I watched Hamilton (against Wisconsin) on Sunday, and our guys know they’re playing a great team,” Hinsdale coach Anthony Waelter said. “I’m feeling good about it because we got out of the first game just down one pitcher. I guess that’s the easiest litmus test to show how I feel.”
West Side hammered Wausau National (Wis.) 22-4 and Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores (Mich.) 10-2 in its first two games. Hinsdale had a bye, then beat Lexington Eastern (Ky.) 5-2.
Both teams will be without their aces, Braedyn Moore of Hamilton and Andres Waelter of Hinsdale, because of pitch-count rules. Waelter threw a perfect game in a 4-0 victory over Beardstown in the Illinois title contest.
“I think the kids are at a spot where we need to be,” Coomer said. “We couldn’t ask for a better position in the tournament. As a coach, I like our chances. But again, I want to be cautious.”
This is the 17th regional appearance for West Side, which advanced to the World Series in 1991, 1993, 2007 and 2010.
Hinsdale had never been to the regional before this year, though the current group has won 10-, 11- and 12-year-old state championships.
“These guys work harder than any other team I’m aware of,” Anthony Waelter said. “They practice a lot and take the defensive side of the game really seriously, plus we’ve got a bunch of strong bats and some good pitching. I think our pitchers are confident because they know they can throw what they need to and guys behind them are going to make plays.”
Hinsdale, located about 20 miles southwest of Chicago, is 11-0 during its postseason run and has outscored its opponents 121-27. Waelter said his squad has good power, yet didn’t hit any home runs in its regional opener.
“We were spraying the ball around a little bit and making things happen,” Waelter said. “Our strategy going in was just put the ball in play and see if we can use our speed to get on base. We’re really fast and smart on the bases.”
He said it’s clear that his team isn’t physically imposing. He also said size is overrated in Little League.
“I think that’s something about Little League that’s funny because so much emphasis is put on the size of the kids, but the game is played differently than the pro game,” Waelter said. “Some of these smaller players are some of the better hitters I’ve seen out here. Our guys have been really good at working pitchers and pitch counts.”
Waelter said his starting pitcher Wednesday will either be Max Merlo, Ben Oosterbaan or Charlie Bergin — all are right-handers. Coomer will counter with righty Lake Cundiff.
Hamilton is hitting .453 as a team in two regional games. Right fielder Katelyn Polido’s .750 average tops the regulars.
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