Midwest Phillies Baseball – A Team to Watch this Summer

As high school baseball draws to a close, the players and fans draw their attention to another set of baseball diamonds – those of summer baseball.  The Midwest Phillies is a 17U team that promises to be one to watch this summer.

The Midwest Phillies made a name for themselves last summer, bringing home first place trophies in two large regional tournaments and placing first or second in several St. Louis tournaments.  They took first place in the Pastime Best of the Southwest tournament in Stillwater, OK in July 2012. The tournament included 33 top teams from various states including Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri.  The championship game was played at Oklahoma State University.  They also took first place in the Diamond Sports Promotions Top Collegiate Prospect Invitational Tournament in Bloomington, IL in July 2012.  The tournament included 33 top teams from various states including Illinois and Missouri.  The championship game was played at Illinois Wesleyan University.

This summer the Midwest Phillies will be drawing on the momentum of successful high school baseball seasons from several top-ranked schools.

Parkway North has the largest contingent of Midwest Phillies players.  Starters Ben Campbell (third base), Joey Hope (pitcher), Connor Ladig (pitcher), Matt Rizzo (left field), Garrett Taylor (catcher), and Russell Susuki (shortstop) led the Vikings to a successful 2013 season, after taking second place in Missouri State Baseball Class 4 in 2012.  This year Parkway North was the #2 ranked large school at the end of the regular season.  They won the Suburban South Conference championship and seeded #1 in their district.

Ladue was the #3 ranked large school at the end of the regular season, with two Midwest Phillies players on their roster:  Jack Zimmerman (pitcher / outfielder) and Levi Greenberg (pitcher / outfielder).  Ladue won the Suburban East Conference championship and seeded #2 in their district.

CBC was the #6 ranked large school at the end of the regular season, with Midwest Phillies Nick Lorenz (pitcher) on their roster.  They seeded #2 in their district and won the district championship.  CBC will be playing in the Missouri State Baseball final four in Class 5 this weekend.

St. Mary’s had a successful season with Midwest Phillies Adam Bieber (pitcher) in their ranks.  St. Mary’s took a share of the AAA conference championship.  They seeded #1 in their district and won the district championship.  They also won their sectional game.

O’Fallon Christian ended the regular season as the #8 ranked small school.  They seeded #1 in their district and won the district championship.  Midwest Phillies Luke Lucas (pitcher) plays for O’Fallon Christian.

Midwest Phillies players from other schools are Tyler Musgrove (second baseman) Parkway Central, Zach Westling (utility player) De Smet, and Thomas Higgins (pitcher / first baseman) Kirkwood.

The Midwest Phillies are coached by head coach Dana Musgrove and assistant coaches Charlie Hope, Steve Lorenz, and Kevin Rizzo.

The Midwest Phillies first tournament for the summer is scheduled to start on Friday May 31 with games in the St. Louis, MO and Edwardsville, IL areas.  For tournament schedules or more information on the team, visit the team web site at www.midwestphillies.org.