Lindquist helps Hilltoppers bounce back
Tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with two outs.
A No. 9 batter with two strikeouts to his credit - one looking - plus a bunt on which he reached on an error.
Power numbers didn't favor Glenbard West in the top of the seventh inning at wintry Wheaton Warrenville South.
Steve Lindquist couldn't care less. The senior rifled a line single to left that scored Joey Serruto and Jordan Rock. Lindquist and his curveball then went back to the mound to retire WW South in order for a 6-5 nonconference win Saturday.
"Every at-bat's just a new at-bat, so I wasn't really thinking about earlier at-bats," said Lindquist, who moved over from third base to earn his first win in 2 1/3 innings of relief for Glenbard West (2-1).
"It's a good situation to be in," Lindquist said. "I just tried to make contact and I just happened to get a hold of one, so it was nice."
Lindquist's big knock was necessary due to Taylor Rhoades' double in the bottom half of the sixth, off Lindquist, that scored Steve Smith and Neil Johnston, giving a 5-4 lead to WW South. Rhoades went 3-for-4 with 3 runs batted in for the Tigers (1-1).
"I was looking for a fastball I could rip to the outfield, find a gap somewhere and drive in a few runs for our team," the second baseman said.
A few runs were due Glenbard West, which rinsed the bile of Friday's 10-0, 5-inning, no-hit loss to Geneva.
"To beat a good team like Wheaton Warrenville South - especially how we came out the other day and just couldn't really get the bats going - to hit the ball like we did today, especially in key situations, I thought it was a testament to our kids and how well they fought," said Hilltoppers coach Brian Wojtun.
Glenbard West came out fast, scoring 2 runs in the first inning on Bryan Emanuel's RBI double and a single from Rock, who was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI.
Glenbard West led 3-0 before WW South scored 2 runs in the third, Rob Grabek scoring on Rhoades' rocket off the leg of Hilltoppers starting pitcher Will Caspers, who remained in the game.
The Tigers left the bases full in the fourth inning but tied it 3-3 in the fifth on catcher Jon O'Neil's double to score Rhoades.
After Glenbard West went up 4-3 in the top of the sixth, WW South took its 5-4 lead in the bottom half.
The inning could have been better for the Tigers. Lindquist picked off two runners at first in non-stealing situations.
"It's early, so there's always a lot of room for getting better at certain things and improving," said WW South coach Tim Brylka. "And that's what we're trying to work on."