Rodriguez, D-C stop Woodstock

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An inspired performance by Dundee-Crown starting pitcher Ben Rodriguez propelled the Chargers to a 4-1 win over Fox Valley Valley foe Woodstock on Friday.

Rodriguez (6-4) hurled a two-hitter, allowing no earned runs, walking two and striking out seven.

"I think we were 1-7 in our last eight games so sometimes it takes just a shutdown pitching performance to get you out of your funk," D-C coach Fred Bencriscutto said. "It was a big pitching statement by Ben, no question."

Rodriguez did see the tying run come to the plate with one out in the seventh -- when Woodstock had consecutive batters reach on a dropped third strike and throwing error -- but worked his way out of it with a strikeout and fly out to wrap up the Chargers' win.

"I felt pretty good," Rodriguez said. "My arm was feeling good, everything was there.

"I just wanted to win for coach because this was his last home game for us and it hasn't been the best year. We just wanted to win for him."

Bencriscutto -- who has now notched 308 wins in his 18 seasons with D-C -- was honored before the game with a plaque commemorating his success with the team.

"It's nice with all these parents, former players [and] administrators to come out and recognize this," Bencriscutto said. "It's been a long time, I think we've accomplished a lot. You don't do that by yourself as a coach, you do that as a result of great people and great kids. It's their day as much as it is my day."

The Chargers (13-13, 6-8) hit the ground running in the first inning, tallying three runs.

Willie Larsen (2-for-3) supplied a leadoff-double and after two Woodstock errors and a walk loaded the bases, Kyle Livengood, Mike Zozokos and Dan Kilchenman all drove in runs.

The Blue Streaks (13-15, 5-9) tallied their lone run in the third on the first hit Rodriguez allowed.

A Trevor Wogsland two-out bloop single in the bottom of the sixth brought home an insurance run for the Chargers and gave them a 4-1 lead.

As D-C nears the postseason, it hopes that it has shaken off its recent struggles.

"We think we're a better team than the way we've been playing and hopefully this will get us going," Bencriscutto said.