Sports
Belton trio wins national championship
Thursday, 23 August 2012 by David Tuma
Belton was well represented at the Heartland Tournament held in Oklahoma with the team from Texas winning the event. Pictured Team Texas coach Mark Krueger, Max Hogan and Team Texas head coach Eddie CornblumMax Hogan participated in the 2012 Heartland tournament held in Norman, Ok a national tournament that Texas won. The team went 8-0 and included 13 Division I baseball players including three heading to the University of Texas.
Belton head baseball coach Eddie Cornblum was head coach of the Team Texas baseball team that won the tournament. "Trying to get the team together was a challenge you get a list of the top player and start making your calls. Max is a great player so that part was easy," said Cornblum.
"They bonded together quickly."
Team Texas pounded Colorado12-2 and defeated Arizona 13-7. Texas crushed Ohio 9-1, and they got by Georgia 6-2 and after the first two days the team was an impressive 4-0. Only one team in tournament history had gone undefeated at the tournament. "It was the best experience I have had playing baseball. You get to stay with a host family and you bond with some of the best players in the country. I knew Cornblum was well known outside of Belton and Texas and I got to see him in action at the top level. This was a nice way to go out. Just the overall experience of it was more than I expected. I was surprised at how close we became as team members," said Hogan.
Maryland gave Texas a tough game before falling 7-2 in a game closer than it looks. Belton defeated Oklahoma and struggled against Arkansas. Arkansas's pitcher shut down Team Texas for eight innings before Texas put the game away winning 6-0. Team Texas as behind 6-5 in the seventh inning in the championship game. Team Texas bounced back and won 7-6 for their second straight Heartland championship in a row.
"The kids represent the state of Texas. After the win I got text messages from baseball coaches from all over the state. We got asked to take the trophy to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Brenham. Great team unity is important and they key for any team. That pitcher heading to Arkansas was just phenomenal. One of my favorite memories was the Maryland game. It was rain delayed for over an hour and both teams competed in a series of skits," said Cornblum.
Hogan was batted 14 times and had 11 hits.
Belton High School baseball coach Mark Krueger was an assistant coach on Team Texas.
