Glenbard South solves Willowbrook
For the second straight day the Glenbard South baseball team found a way to take control of a game just in the nick of time.
After getting no-hit during the first four innings and earning just one hit through five, the Raiders got on the scoreboard in the sixth and erupted for 3 runs on 3 hits in the seventh and prevailed 4-3 over host Willowbrook on Wednesday afternoon.
The win pushed Glenbard South to 3-0, while Willowbrook dropped to 0-2.
“We had good pitching and defense. But the hitting has to get better so we don't always have to grind something out in the seventh inning,” said Raiders coach Mike Riley.
Glenbard South overtook Glenbard North on Tuesday with 2 runs in the sixth inning to win 4-3.
Warriors starting pitcher Alex Tiberi struck out four as Glenbard South went down in order the first four innings. The first baserunner and first hit for the Raiders came in the fifth when Roger Dyrda singled to center.
Glenbard South tied the game at 1-1 in its half of the sixth when Mike Atkinson walked, moved to third on Ethan Gasbarro's single and then scored on Justin Joseph's single.
Willowbrook scored its first run in the fifth. Mike Sumang led off with a triple to center and Jeremy Garbacz's sacrifice fly scored him. The Warriors took a 2-1 in the sixth on Sumang's second hit of the game. His single brought home Tom Van Kooten, who connected on a two-out double to left center.
The Warriors went into Wednesday's game after opening the season on Monday by being shelled by Naperville North 17-7. Coach Vic Wisner wanted to see improvement against the Raiders as Willowbrook tries to build momentum early in the season and said he got it.
“I wanted them to be competitive. I thought we did well,” Wisner said. “Glenbard South is a good team. They're not flashy, but they battle to make plays.”
Wisner praised the efforts of Tiberi, who pitched a solid six innings in a no-decision situation.
“He has a real good fastball. He keeps it down and throws it hard. He's got a slider and he throws it where we want,” he said.
Glenbard South got right to work in the seventh. Doren Blake led off with a single to left, followed by singles to left by Dyrda and Tony Tenuta, whose hit scored Trent Pohlman, running for Blake. A fielding error scored Dyrda, and Tenuta came home on Atkinson's RBI groundout into a double play.
Willowbrook wasn't done however, as leadoff hitter Dominic Battaglia reached base on a fielding error in the seventh, moved around on a walk to Kevin Johnson and sacrifice fly by Kurt Gitchell and scored on a wild pitch.
Senior Anthony Scarpaniti came in after the walk and retired the side for his second save in as many days.
“We were kind of on the verge (of taking the lead). We stayed positive and wanted to make it happen,” he said. “I feel good. I'm glad to have an opportunity to play. I went out and got done what I needed to do and there's a great defense behind me.”