By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Is there a magic ingredient in the celebratory Capri Suns?
Is Dairy Queen spiking blizzards with some secret serum?
Whatever the case, the little league all-stars in this city are really good, and they are making a mockery out of the area competition.
One week after the 12U All-Stars won district for a third straight year, the 10/11U Burlington Little League Frank Roth All-Stars followed with a district title of their own Saturday with an 11-1 mauling of Kenosha American.
And just like the 12U squad, the 10- and 11-year-olds did it with ease.
In four district games, Burlington outscored its opponents, 61-12. The closest game, an 18-10 defeat of Kenosha American last Thursday, saw the Burlington boys score 12 runs in one inning for a comeback victory.
On July 14, Burlington lambasted Lakeland, 28-1.
It’s the first time this group of players has won district but the second straight year the 10/11U won.
Right now, the Burlington Little League is flying high.
“It’s a good feeling,” said head coach Troy Ketterhagen. “The boys are very excited. These boys have practiced very hard to get here. Everyone plays very unselfishly, and all 12 boys contribute something different. They all feed off each other.”
Burlington now advances to state Saturday in Eau Claire. Games will take place Saturday through Wednesday.
“We have a very talented team,” Ketterhagen said. “It’s a fun group of kids to coach. If we play our game, we can win state.”
It seems like their game is consistency up and down the lineup. Everyone can hit, and the team utilizes up to eight pitchers.
Ketterhagen said his top seven hitters hit above .500 for the tournament. Zach Wallace, Kale Dietz and Marcus Thompson each jacked home runs, but Ketterhagen said the team relied on hits from everyone.
In the championship game, Cody Carlson dominated on the mound for a four-inning complete game.
In 28-1 and 18-0 drubbings, the team used as many as eight pitchers including Carlson, Ethan Safar, Thompson, Chase Ketterhagen and Dane Kornely.
Burlington beat Kenosha teams three times at the tournament, which was played at the Kenosha Little League complex.
The multitude of pitchers was a strategy to keep pitchers fresh for the next game. If a pitcher throws less than 20 pitches in one game, he can pitch the next day.
This team, which has been playing together for three or four years, must focus on a few keys in order to win state.
“We must throw a lot of strikes, play good defense and continue to hit the ball,” Troy Ketterhagen said.
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