Biagini leads the way for Glenbard West

Glenbard South catcher Joe Biagini was involved in two key plays in Friday's 8-5 nonconference win over Wheaton Warrenville South.

Down 2-0 in the second inning, Raiders pitcher Kyle Moll drilled Jon O'Neil to start the second. Biagini promptly cut down O'Neil trying to steal second base, thus settling down Moll. Moll went on to pitch 4½ strong innings for the win.

Then leading off the fourth, Biagini cracked his second solo home run of the game to tie the game at 2. That started a 5-run binge over the fourth and fifth innings that gave the Raiders the lead for good at 7-2 and chased Tigers starter Ryan Conley (0-1).

"I think we were unfocused early offensively," said Biagini, who has 3 home runs in the early going. "The second home run (only the second hit by the team) showed the guys that he was hittable."

Moll did not find out until about 10 minutes prior to game time that he was getting the starting nod for Glenbard South (9-3). Joe Ramirez was slated to start but had shoulder trouble.

Moll, the team's No. 4 starter, showed some rust early. He walked Tigers leadoff hitter Nick Novosad and served up singles to Tom Marsh and Nick Brown following him to help Wheaton Warrenville South (1-3) open the early 2-0 lead. Moll wound up with 5 strikeouts and 5 walks in 4½ innings to improve to 1-1.

"I just think he needed to warm up a little more," Glenbard South coach Mike Riley said. "He didn't pitch great, but he kept us in the game."

The Raiders' offense took care of the rest. Following Biagini's second home run in the fourth inning, designated hitter Franz Merkendorfer walked and later scored on a wild pitch to open a 3-2 lead. In the fifth Trace Wanless led off with a single and Biagini drew a one-out walk to set up a big inning.

Merkendorfer singled in Wanless, and Doug Anderson followed with an RBI single. But the ball got past the Tigers' outfielders, allowing a third run to score.

"The home run was big, but we followed that with a walk and a hit-by-pitch," WW South coach Tim Brylka said. "That was the turning point. Ryan threw well until then. I think the home run may have gotten in his head a little bit."

Anderson came in to close it for the Raiders, his first mound appearance of the young season. He allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, in his 2¿ innings, but he also struck out four and walked none.

"He came in focused," Biagini said. "He really gave us some momentum."

The Raiders now turn their attention to Western Sun Conference play, which begins Tuesday against Kaneland. They roll into league play with a five-game winning streak.

"Being in Class 3A this year, it's nice to get wins like this," Riley said of topping the Class 4A Tigers and Glenbard North in the early going. "I've been very pleased with our effort."