Addison Trail's Villasenor on top of his game already
Two outings into the spring, and already Nick Villasenor looks locked into midseason form on the mound.
Addison Trail's senior left-hander struck out 14, walked none and fired a 3-hitter in Tuesday's 3-0 nonconference baseball victory over visiting West Chicago.
After striking out 12 in a five-inning no-decision in his first outing last week against Glenbard North, Villasenor continued to display the work he put in during the off-season as he bulked up about 15 pounds. He struck out three straight and five of the last seven batters he faced to end Tuesday's game.
"All I did this off-season was focus on baseball," said Villasenor, a third-year starter committed to Black Hawk. "I've just been waiting for this season. I'm ready to go."
Addison Trail (2-2) scored the only run it needed in the bottom of the first when leadoff hitter Simon Marinelli walked and eventually came home on a double by A.J. Parnell, who had 2 hits.
George Neri scored the Blazers' second run on a second-inning error, and he drove in the third run with a fourth-inning RBI single. Addison Trail made the most of its 5 hits off West Chicago (1-3) starter Jeff Zajac, who pitched well in his first outing of the season.
The left side of West Chicago's defense - shortstop Matt Dall and third baseman Billy Lietzow - also helped keep the game close.
"We didn't really handle most of our at-bats the way I would have liked, but it's a learning experience," said first-year Wildcats coach T.J. Nall. "It's still early. Hopefully our guys take something from this game and apply it in the future."
West Chicago couldn't do much offensively while putting seven balls into play. Villasenor went to a full count twice and allowed only one runner to reach scoring position.
"That's the Nick we're going to expect to see all year," said Blazers coach Mike Kennedy. "When he gets in a rhythm like that, he's so tough."
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