MARION — Carterville’s Brady Phillips and Waltonville/Sesser-Valier’s Brandon Menser combined on a four-hitter as Southern Illinois shut out powerful Youngstown (OH) 2-0 to win the Colt World Series championship.

Youngstown had dominated the top half of the bracket, scoring 39 runs in three games to reach title tilt, but Southern Illinois set the tone early.

Anna-Jonesboro’s Aaron Sheffer’s double in the top of the first scored Carterville’s Drew Barrington for a quick 1-0 SI lead. Carterville’s Logan Ingle doubled in Herrin’s Nick Hubbard in the fourth push the lead to 2-0.

Phillips, Menser, and the SI defense took care of the rest.

Youngstown had two on in the second, but Sheffer made a nice running catch near the right field line to end the threat. Youngstown’s best scoring chance came in the fifth when they put runners on second and third with one out. Phillips got Anthony Triveri to pop up and then struck out pinch hitter Carter Wilson to end the inning.

After a one out walk in the sixth, Southern Illinois manager Adam Crompton went to bullpen for Menser. Phillips lobbied to stay in the game to no avail. Menser immediately got a comebacker that he was able to turn into an inning ending double play.

Then in the seventh, Menser worked around an error, striking out Rowan Unthank looking to end it.

Southern Illinois becomes the third straight area team to win the title following back to back championships for Marion.

Phillips, who did not allow an earned run all tournament, was named the tourney’s top pitcher.