Wazorick pitches in as Meadows rolls
For the third consecutive game, Rolling Meadows received outstanding pitching as the Mustangs rolled past host Buffalo Grove 10-0 in 5 innings Wednesday.
It was Mickey Wazorick’s turn to be dominant, allowing just 3 hits while fanning four and walking none. Wazorick’s performance comes on the heels of Jack Milas’ no-hitter on Tuesday and Matt Dennis’ 16-strikeout performance on Monday.
The strong pitching gave Rolling Meadows (14-8, 11-1) its sixth win in a row. The Mustangs continue to lead Elk Grove by 2 games with just 4 to play in the MSL East.
“We have been getting really, really good pitching,” Rolling Meadows coach Jim Lindeman said. “Especially the last three games.”
“Mickey threw the ball well today. He had great location and kept them off balance.”
Wazorick was dominant, facing the minimum number of batters through one out in the fifth inning. Only one Buffalo Grove batter reached base, and Wazorick picked him off in the third.
“I felt great,” said Wazorick, who got a game ending double-play to preserve the shutout. “I didn’t feel any pressure following the other guys. I just went out there today and did what I could do.”
Wazorick got all the help he needed in the second, as Rolling Meadows scored 3 runs after two were out.
Dan Hendrickson started off the rally with the walk. That was followed by singles by Erik Schurtz and Zach Schultz (2-for-3), who drove in a run. A walk to John Burkiewicz loaded the bases and Alex Niecikowski followed with a 2-run double.
“That was a really good start to the ballgame for us,” Lindeman said. “It all started with a two-out walk.”
The Mustangs broke the game open in the fourth when they tallied 6 times.
After the bases were loaded, Hendrickson belted a bases-clearing double to right-center. Dennis followed with a double to score Hendrickson. Mike Dolan put the finishing touches on the rally with his fourth homer of the season.
“When I am hitting, I just try to stay relaxed,” Hendrickson said. “When I see a fastball kind of high in the zone, I just try to drive it.”
“3-0 count and coach Lindeman gave me the green light,” Dolan said. “He grooved me a fastball.”
Dolan, who caught Dennis, Milas and Wazorick the past three days, said it has been fun for him behind the dish.
“Last year we had some pretty good pitchers,” Dolan said. “But this year with these three guys, it has been a blast.”
Despite the loss, Buffalo Grove (7-14, 4-8) still was able to celebrate senior day. Bison seniors Ryan Schumi, Matt Blankshain, Paul Burke, Brian Kleczynski, Michael Di Viesti, Nick Carpinelli, Josh Guertler, Luke Potnick, Adam Kowalski, Andy Gonzalez, Billy Chandler, Ken Bartelt and Jon Niemann went to the school cafeteria after the game with teammates, family and friends.
“I love these kids,” Buffalo Grove coach Jeff Grybash said. “It didn’t show in the score today, but they have done a great job in changing the culture of the program. I am going to miss them tremendously when the season is over.”
There was an unfortunate incident involving a parent from each team after the game ended. The umpires intervened and the police were called, but no arrests were made. Each parent was banned from future sporting events this season.