Martinski keeps Elk Grove alive
Matt Martinski came up with a gem when Elk Grove needed it most.
The Elk Grove High School senior pitched 9 strong innings, allowing only 1 run leading the Red Sox to a 10-1 victory.
The Red Sox (26-12) are seeking their first ever Cook County title, but they will have to defeat second-seed Arlington (35-8) twice today to advance to the state tourney in Belleville later this week.
Arlington eliminated Wilmette 17-5 in seven innings, remaining undefeated in the county tournament - 1 victory from securing its fourth straight trip to the state tournament and 10th in 11 years.
The first game at Palatine High School will begin at 11 a.m today; if necessary, the second game will follow.
Martinski limited Palatine to 1 run on 11 hits. The right-hander struck out 10 and did not allow a walk.
"We don't have that one nasty guy that we've had in the past," said Red Sox coach Brian Mucha, who received a call from Martinski late in the season inquiring about joining the team. "He's kind of the closest thing we have to one. If there was a roster spot open, then there was no way I was going to say no to him."
"I just wanted come out here and give us as many innings as I could," Martinski said. "Palatine is a great hitting team, I'm glad I could come out here and pitch my game."
With Elk Grove leading 1-0 in the bottom of the second, Palatine put runners on third and second with one out. But Martinski stranded the pair with a strikeout and a groundout.
Martinski also escaped damage in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, leaving runners in scoring position.
"He did a nice job, combined with the fact our bats went a little flat," said Palatine coach Jeff Ryder.
Dom D'Agata belted a 3-run homer in the sixth to stake Martinski and the Red Sox to a 7-0 advantage.
"We just wanted to come out here and make a statement," said D'Agata who was 2-for-2 with 3 walks and 4 RBI. "And Matt (Martinski) did an amazing job. He was strong all the way through."
Palatine starter Charlie Limjoco lasted 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits. He went 3-for-4 and scored Palatine's lone run.
"I couldn't be more proud of this team," Ryder said. "Our biggest asset all season was keeping the pressure on. Today and yesterday, we just couldn't get it going. That's a tribute to our league.
Arlington 17, Wilmette 5: Arlington suffered no letup after scoring 18 runs in Friday's win against Palatine.
Kyle Gaedele (2-for-4, 4 RBI) and Jason Leblebijian (3-for-4) led Arlington's potent offense to a 17-5 victory over No. 4 seed Wilmette in seven innings.
Arlington jumped ahead in the second inning, scoring 3 unearned runs. Wilmette answered with a pair in the top of the third that narrowed its deficit to 3-2.
But Gaedele's second grand slam of the county tournament hilighted an 8-run outburst in the bottom of the third.
"We've been hitting the ball extremely well this tournament," Gaedele said. "Everyone is at a new level of intensity coming into the tournament, the hits are contagious."
Arlington added a run in the fourth and fifth, and Brett Kay kept things rolling with a 3-run triple in the bottom of the sixth.
"We're taking advantage of other teams' mistakes and balls are dropping," Leblebijian said. "Our goal is to score a couple runs each inning, we're feeding off each other."
Arlington starter Dan Kelly pitched 7 effective innings, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits. He was aided by some timely defense from third baseman Tim Scanlan and center fielder Bob Gehm.
Arlington has 4 victories over Elk Grove this season, including Wednesday's 10-5 second-round victory.
But coach Lloyd Meyer is still wary of the Red Sox.
"We're on a roll, but we're still swinging at some bad pitches," Meyer said. "I'll admit we're scoring runs, but there is still room for improvement."