Kaneland wins 1st regional title

Jake Razo was so disappointed in his 0-for-3 day against IMSA in the first round of the Class 3A Sycamore Regional last Wednesday, that Kaneland coach Brian Aversa had to send him a text message that night about staying positive for Saturday’s championship game against Sycamore.

“Coach told me that I would probably have my best game in the regional championship,” the Knights’ right fielder said. “Obviously, he must be able to see the future, because I had a pretty good game today, I think.”

You think?

It figured that Kaneland ace Bobby Thorson would be a key when the Knights turned back Sycamore 2-1 to capture the first baseball regional title in school history, but Razo was clearly the unexpected hero and game-saver.

Razo had the game-winning hit in the top of the fourth inning after Sycamore ace Jake Turner got two quick strikes on him, but barely missed on a third that was just off the plate and called a ball. Razo then broke up the scoreless game when he laced a line drive that smacked the third base bag and bounded into the outfield for a two-run, two-out single.

“I’ve never hit a base in my life, but I felt like it was a good hit,” Razo said. “I just got lucky and felt really good about that.”

There was no luck involved in two defensive gems that Razo also turned in that could be described as game-savers.

In the first inning, he made a running grab of a line drive off the bat of Sycamore’s Zach Spiewag and doubled Mitchell Jordan off first base. But he saved the best for the sixth inning during the only serious uprising Sycamore put together against Thorson, who otherwise was in total command.

Sycamore (25-11) had a rally cooking with two straight one-out singles, but when Eric Ray made it three straight by dropping a single into short right field, it sent Matt Godsinsky racing for home. Razo threw a strike to catcher Tyler Heinle, who had plenty of time to get Godsinsky.

It turned out to be a huge play, because Sycamore tallied its only run moments later when Thorson uncorked a wild pitch on a third strike to Adam Dobson, allowing Spiewag to score.

“My adrenaline was pumping so much when I picked up that ball and I was just watching it after I threw it, and hoping,” Razo said. “It hit Ty’s glove and luckily the guy was tagged out and it was a big play.”

Thorson didn’t need a lot other help, though he did get plenty of other defensive support, including two sterling plays by third baseman Drew French.

“I was really excited and all jittery today,” said Thorson, who relished the chance to secure the title for Kaneland (21-10), considering he missed that chance last year when Hampshire upset the Knights before the regional final.

Thorson fanned only four batters, but went through a stretch in which he retired 12 Spartans in a row, with 11 coming on weak ground balls.

“It was my curveball and cutter,” Thorson said. “When I keep those down low, no one is going to hit the ball in the air.

“I just felt in a zone during that stretch and I could tell they were off balance,” Thorson added. “I could throw whatever I wanted, wherever I wanted.”

Aversa was pleased that his club finally reached its goal of winning that elusive regional title.

“We were out there with a purpose today and the seniors got everyone ready by telling them this was a big game and we’re not messing around,” Aversa said. “We were going to go out and play a solid baseball game and ride Bobby as far as we can.

“We made some great plays today, and Razo’s catch and double-play throw in the first inning was a big play for us,” Aversa said. “And, of course, the throw to the plate was huge.”

Sycamore coach Jason Cavanaugh saw his team’s season come to a close in the type of game these two conference rivals have had in the past.

“This was the kind of game we expected, without a doubt,” Cavanaugh said. “You’ve got two senior-dominated teams and two stud pitchers on the mound.

“A lot of times it goes to whoever gets the breaks, and they got two big breaks and took advantage of them,” Cavanaugh added. “If the pitch he (Razo) took is strike three, the whole team is walking off the field, but then he hits the bag with his hit, and if that is just six inches to the left, it’s a foul ball.”

The Knights move on to Rochelle sectional action at 4 p.m. Wednesday against Marian Central.