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Janesville 14-year-old team enters state tournament play

The Janesville 14-year-old tournament team

enters today’s state-tournament opener with nothing to lose.

The 14s were blown out in two regional tournament games a year ago as 13-year-olds, but bounced back in a big way this year thanks to a strong showing at the District 2 Tournament in Waunakee.

Janesville will open the double-elimination state tournament at 10:30 this morning against Shawano at Mount Simon Field in Eau Claire. Host Eau Claire is the defending state champion as 13-year-olds, and will be the favorite in the 10-team field.

Janesville coach Pat Campbell said his team is excited to be representing the city and to see how it stacks up against the state’s best.

“These kids have worked hard to get to this point, and deserve the chance to play at state,” Campbell said. “We’ll just go up there and take it one game at a time, and for us, that means getting ready for Shawano.

“There are going to be a lot of good teams at state, some of whom we’ve already seen, but in a double-elimination tournament, anything can happen.”

Janesville played well at District thanks to a .347 team average. Adam Greene led the way offensively with 10 hits in 17 at-bats, including six doubles.

The pitching staff also stepped up at the regional tournament. Dalton Johns pitched two complete games.

He struck out eight and walked only four batters.

Ryan Marro also had a complete-game victory, leading Janesville past Reedsburg in the elimination game.

Other members of the team are Jared Fish, Tyler Brooks, Tyler Campbell, Tyler Cagney, Colin Frey, Andy Miller, Bradan Perkins, Andy Haney, Aric Bobzien, Keaton Eichman, Mitch Pingel and Adam Lowe.

The other teams participating are Marinette, Wausau, Madison, Waunakee, Superior, Bay Port and D.C. Everest.