Fritsch, Eagles hold off upstart H-F

Sandburg players swarm teammate Brett Huff (23) as he scores the game-winning run against Homewood-Flossmoor.
(Brett Roseman/SouthtownStar)

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Lucas Fritsch said this season, despite No. 1 Sandburg's overall success, has been somewhat of a struggle for him, particularly in the playoffs.

Not anymore. Fritsch delivered Sandburg's biggest hit of the season, a run-scoring single with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, that lifted the Eagles to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor in the Class 4A Andrew Sectional semifinals Thursday.

"I've had my ups and downs," said Fritsch, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound outfielder and pitcher who's headed to St. Xavier University next season. "It's been a see-saw battle, and I haven't really done anything in the postseason. I feel like the monkey is off my back - it's such a great feeling."

Fritsch's single to right scored Brett Huff, who was pinch-running for sophomore Brant Valach after he was hit by an 0-2 pitch.

Homewood-Flossmoor (22-8) looked like it was going to break the scoreless tie in the top of the eighth when it got the first two runners on against Sandburg junior right-hander Ryan Billo (seven innings, four hits, six strikeouts, one walk).

Sandburg (29-2) then brought in hard-throwing ace Troy Jozsa (10-0). After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk loaded the bases, Jozsa struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam.

"I just had to go out there and get the job done or go home," said Jozsa of his first relief appearance. "I knew I just had to throw strikes."

The loss negated a fantastic effort by H-F junior left-hander Aaron Hauge, who had earlier in the season handed Sandburg one of its two losses. Hauge pitched six innings, allowed five hits, struck out six and walked three.