Lisle facing first league loss
The weather had given the Lisle baseball team days off Saturday and Monday. It tried to cooperate Tuesday when Plano came to the Lions’ field, but in the end couldn’t help itself.
A light rain fell from the start of the game but grew heavier as the contest went on. With the Reapers up 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the umpires stopped the game so drying compound could be applied to the pitcher’s mound and at home plate. However, the rain grew more intense as the repairs were being made and after a discussion with the coaches, the umpires stopped the game.
It’s scheduled to resume Wednesday at Plano (11-16, 3-7 Interstate Eight Conference) before the start of the regularly scheduled game. Lisle was batting in the bottom of the fourth with two outs. Kevin Coppin was on second after being hit by a pitch and stealing second. Kazim Khan was at first with a walk.
The other offense for Lisle (24-4, 10-0) was Ty Howell reaching on a fielding error in the first. Coppin got on in the second with an infield hit but was out at second as part of an attempted double play that put Khan on with a fielder’s choice.
In the third Brian Czyl made it on base with an infield hit and took second on the same play due to a fielding error.
Starting pitcher Ryan Van Volkenburg allowed just two Plano hits and struck out five before the game was suspended. Plano got on the scoreboard in the first. Devin Ambrose walked and Trent Bowers followed with a double to center to score him. Van Volkenburg set the Reapers down in order in the second, allowed a double to open the third before working his way out of the jam, and he forced Plano into a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth with two strikeouts.
The Lions went into Tuesday with a 16-game winning streak. It all followed a 10-0, five-inning defeat at Glenbard South on April 2.
“We didn’t throw strikes that game. And we’ve thrown a ton of strikes since then. The pitching has been outstanding,” said Lisle coach Pete Meyer. “What did we get that game? One hit? We’re hitting like crazy except for today. Life is good.”