Retif Oil goes from host to champion in AL state series

Under normal circumstances, the Jesuit-based team sponsored by Retif Oil might not have qualified for the American Legion State Baseball Tournament after finishing behind Southeast Regional front-runners Refuel, Otto Candies, Peake BMW and Deanie’s Seafood.

But, as the host team from the First District, Jesuit was added to fill the eight-team state tournament, played at John Ryan and Kirsch-Rooney stadiums, July 19-23.

Given that opportunity, Retif worked its way to the championship game against previously unbeaten Refuel, stocked with players from Archbishop Shaw.

Having to win twice in back-to-back games, Retif earned a berth in the regional tournament by defeating Refuel, 3-0 and 7-1.