Baseball: Right approach at plate helps Palatine defeat Rolling Meadows
Palatine baseball coach Paul Belo had a brief conversation with his team after a quick 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first.
"Their pitcher (Alex Lazes) did a great job of controlling the tempo," Belo said. "We had some talks in between and our kids did a nice job of handling the approach. Taking not the pitches they want, but the ones they were getting."
That change was the difference as Palatine banged out 12 hits and took advantage of 6 errors as the Pirates vaulted past host Rolling Meadows 12-2 Friday in a Mid-Suburban League crossover game.
"We are having a great approach," said Luke Seiffert, who had 2 hits and a sacrifice fly while driving in 3 runs.
"With two strikes, everyone one through nine is hitting so far this year. We are not trying to be too big in what we do."
Palatine (5-4, 2-1 MSL West) took advantage of 3 Mustangs errors in the top of the second to plate 3 runs. Ryan Dysangco drove in 2 runs with a double.
After Eric Pecson reached on an error and later scored in the third, Palatine added 2 more runs in the fourth. Tyler Klipowicz had an RBI single and Seiffert had a sacrifice fly.
"I struggled in my first at-bat," said Klipowicz, who went on to reach base in his next four appearances with 3 hits and a hit batter.
"I changed my approach and hit the ball to the right side and hit it hard. I have been seeing the ball and getting on base. As the leadoff hitter, I need to set the table."
Rolling Meadows (3-7, 1-2 MSL East) cut the margin to 6-2 in its half of the fourth. Tyler Filippelli had a 2-run single scoring Sean Carney and Nick Benkle, who later tripled and scored.
Palatine broke the game open in its final two at-bats.
The Pirates scored 4 runs in the sixth on a double by Seiffert, a double by Tyler Pecson and 2-run single by DJ Dick. Seiffert had an RBI single in the seventh and Brendan Myers had an RBI on a bases-loaded walk.
Sophomore Joray Pieper went all seven innings and allowed just 3 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out six to pick up his first varsity victory.
"I didn't think I was going to go all seven," Pieper said. "I just tried to throw my best. I was definitely comfortable."
Rolling Meadows coach Matt Rice said that his team's defensive play on Friday was costly.
"We drilled a ton of defense yesterday (Thursday)," Rice said. "The process is good, we are just not executing. Guys are getting to the spot, they are just not making the plays. We will continue to work and get better."