The Patoka Patriots 8u baseball team competed in the 2023 Pony Baseball 8u International Classic in Marion, IL July 7-9th compiling a 7–1 record over the weekend and taking the championship.
On Friday, the Patriots opened up pool play with a narrow 5-4 win over Kankakee, IL ACBA. They came back later in the day to finish up a perfect Friday with an 8–5 victory over the Mattoon, IL All-Stars.
Pool play resumed Saturday morning for the Patriots at 8am with a convincing 12-3 victory over the Marion, IL All–Stars. In the 4th and final pool play game, in what turned out to be a preview of the championship game on Sunday, the Patriots fell to Kralendijk, Bonaire, 10-6.
The Patriots opened bracket play on Sunday with a win over Waltonville, IL Spartans 17-1, sending the Patriots to the Quarterfinals. In the Quarterfinal round, the Patriots would battle Kankakee and pull out a thrilling 11-10 victory with 5 runs in the bottom of the 5th•
The championship semi-final matchup against the undefeated 21-0 Eldorado, IL Eagles, was a game that seemed to propel the Patriots to the title. In the bottom of the 6th, tied 6-6, the Patriots got a walk-off, 2-run HR to take the 8-6 victory.
The championship game featured a rematch from pool play with Bonaire. The Patriots, playing their 3 game in a row, would get revenge, leaving no doubt, taking the title game, 9-2.
Members of the 2023 8u Patoka Patriots are: Josh Buonaura, Luke Burnam, Drake Carbaugh, Grant Eddy, Max Goldsboro, Peyton Hyde, Knox Kuhn, Bryer Thompson, Carter Thompson, Emmitt Thompson, Keaton Thompson, and Michael Wodtka.
