Changes have Broncos looking up

Johnny Day apparently picked the right time of day to hit a deep drive to right-center field Wednesday.

Not only because Barrington was in a tie game with two outs in the fifth inning of its Class 4A baseball sectional semifinal with Libertyville.

But also because the weather conditions had changed in a game that started with the wind blowing in from center field at 10 to 15 mph.

"It couldn't have come at a better time," said Barrington coach Jim Hawrysko with a smile. "For a minute and 40 seconds the wind stopped blowing. He drove the ball well and hit the ball well."

Right over the fence to give Barrington a lead it never lost in a 5-3 win that typified its postseason resurgence.

"I didn't think it would (go out) because the wind was blowing in all game," said winning pitcher Robbie McDonnell. "But the wind died and it kept going and he hit it good."

The wind isn't all that's changed for the revitalized Broncos in the postseason.

"We needed to make some moves," Hawrysko said of the Broncos' late-season struggles.

So Hawrysko made them primarily to shore up a scuffling defense. He brought the strong-armed Day from right field to catch, where he was recruited to play at Evansville.

Senior Tim Oakley moved from catcher to second base. Senior Tom Unak moved in at shortstop even though he hadn't played there since his sophomore year to focus on pitching.

"We were kind of going through a lull and going through the motions," Unak said. "The changes really helped change the attitude, too."

Barrington still needed someone to play right field. At the sophomore level was a lefty-hitting center fielder who was batting around .450.

"One day I walked up to practice at the sophomore field and coach said, 'Bring your stuff, you're going to the varsity field," said Ricky Alfonso. "I was really excited. Everyone's been great and I'm good friends with all of them.

"My first game I was a little nervous but now it's really exciting to be here."

Alfonso didn't show any nerves in his first at-bat against Eastern Illinois-bound Troy Barton. After Derek Foderaro sacrificed Chris Holke and Jack Scheffler to second and third, Alfonso lined a 1-1 fastball into the gap in left-center for a 2-run double.

Alfonso also battled a tough sun and wind to make a pair of nice catches in key spots.

"He's been absolutely huge," Unak said.

So was Unak on a grounder in the hole with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth. So was Buchholz with his scoop on the throw as he filled a huge void in his first varsity start at first base.

Fittingly, Oakley and Unak hooked up for the final out.

"This is the way we should have been playing," Day said of a team that beat Oak Park, Prairie Ridge and Cary-Grove in the first month. "That's what I thought we'd do all year."

Barrington couldn't have picked a better time to go in a different direction.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com