Post-Season Baseball

EAST PEORIA — This past weekend concluded the regular season for the Illinois Central College Baseball Team (28-24). During their final 18 games the Cougars recorded a winning percentage of .636, after starting their first 34 games with a inconsistent .500 winning percentage. Prior to this turnaround it seemed that the Cougars problem wasn’t a physical aspect, rather a lack of mental toughness.

“Brett Kelley and the rest of the staff have really taught me how to keep my head in the right state of mind. Baseball is a mental game and having that mental toughness is a huge bonus,” said freshman shortstop Mason McCoy.

During this upbeat tempo the Cougars went on a six-game win streak beginning with an away game in Godfrey, Illinois. The Cougars swept Lewis and Clark Community College in a doubleheader, 5-4 and 5-1. Next stop was Spoon River College where the Cougars easily put two more victories under their belt, 11-0 and 7-2.

Finally, the last stop on their road trip was Lincoln College. The same outcome continued as the Cougars stole another doubleheader series, 8-1 and 11-3.

The Cougars are getting hot at the right time, with the Region 24 Tournament right around the corner Wednesday, May 15.

“Every single year we have the same goal in sight, we want to win our Region Tournament and get back to the World Series,” said CoachKelley.

With such a talented region, including Danville, Lincoln Land, and Heartland, that is a tough goal to accomplish. The biggest fork in the road for the Cougars will be finding a way to defeat Heartland.

Thus far, the Cougars are currently 1-3 against Heartland, but all it takes in the postseason is one off night to send the Cougars are capable of favorites packing. The competing with any of