Roy Overholt was probably more than reassured Thursday as to why he has hosted a Little League baseball tournament in Brookfield for the last 45 summers.
 

A quiet Kiwanis Park crowd watched as Lyons Township threatened Western Springs’ 6-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. LT was at the plate with the bases loaded, two outs and a full count.
 

This was a living, breathing cliché.
 

Western Springs relief pitcher Maximilian Larsen reached back and delivered the decisive strike and the once peaceful scene exploded into emotion as Western Springs celebrated its first Overholt Tournament championship since 2005 just off to the side of home plate.
 

“I was nervous, but I was able to calm down for the last batter,” said Larsen, who earned the save and hit what he says was the first home run of his life when he lifted the first pitch of the game over the right center field fence. “I felt like my team was rooting for me.”
 

After Western Springs took the lead in the bottom of the first, LT responded by going up 2-1 in the top of the third when Patrick Richert ripped a triple to drive in Matt Lindeen and Jimmy Hofer. In the following inning, LT extended its advantage to 3-1 after Hofer singled to score Katie Ferman.
 

Western Springs answered back in the bottom of the fourth. Christopher Zeitler singled to drive in Charlie Harrigan while Larsen singled to drive in Harrigan and even the score at 3-3. LT regained the lead in the top of the fifth when Frankie Nix drove in Zach Carlson with a single.

However, in the bottom of the fifth, Western Springs went up 5-4 after Zeitler doubled to score Daniel Walkowski and Danny Thomas.
 

“I was real comfortable at the plate,” said Zeitler. “I knew I was going to drive them in.”
Larsen added an insurance run later in the inning when he doubled to score Zeitler.
 

Western Springs was able to escape the top of the sixth unblemished.
 

“These kids supported each other and rooted for each other all summer,” said Western Springs manager Rick Larsen. “Everyone contributed to help us make this happen.”

Pitching lines
WESTERN SPRINGS
Danny Thomas 3 innings, 3 strikeouts
Christopher Zeitler 2-2/3 innings, 1 strikeout
Maximilian Larsen 1/3 innings, 1 strikeout
LYONS TOWNSHIP
Zach Carlson 4-1/3 innings, 4 strikeouts
Patrick Richert 2/3 inning, 2 strikeouts