Victory vs. Willowbrook a good sign for Downers S.

Chances are you're not going to make it through an 18-game conference baseball season without a loss.

But then you look at Downers Grove South.

After going perfect in the West Suburban Gold last season, the Mustangs have picked up where they left off by winning their first five league games, including Saturday's 6-3 victory over Willowbrook in Villa Park.

There's obviously a bunch of baseball still to be played, but if Downers South (9-2, 5-0) caps the three-game sweep over the Warriors (11-5, 6-2) on Monday, it'll have a key series under its belt as it seeks another Gold title.

"Wins like this just really boost our confidence," said Mustangs junior catcher Danny Oriente. "It's great to come out here and win two against them. We obviously have to finish it for the sweep. That means a lot to us."

After winning 2-1 on Friday, Downers South faced another tight game on Saturday. The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on Oriente's sacrifice fly, but Willowbrook surged to a 2-1 lead in the third off winning pitcher Ryan Taylor when Mike Petruzzi doubled home a run and Cam Zunkel followed with an RBI single.

Willowbrook's defense, however, proved to be its downfall. The Warriors committed 5 errors, and Downers South took advantage by adding 5 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Zack Radde, Jack Villa, Oriente and Joe LaCivita all had RBI hits as the Mustangs built a 6-2 lead.

"They're great kids, and sometimes they need to let the game slow down and come to them," said Willowbrook coach Vic Wisner. "They're trying so hard out there, but we made some mistakes. They've got a good team and you can't afford to make mistakes against them."

Willowbrook kept up the pressure in the sixth and seventh inning, pulling within 6-3 in the sixth on pinch-hitter Kyle Martyniuk's RBI single. Taylor, however, shut the door in the seventh to finish the complete game with 6 strikeouts while scattering 6 hits.

Radde had 2 hits for Downers South. Petruzzi did the same for Willowbrook.

"Some good two-out hits today, so we're swinging it a little better," said Mustangs coach Darren Orel. "Overall I think we did a pretty good job out there."

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