No homer for Barry, but Bengals get ‘W’

Updated: May 5, 2011 9:59PM

Thanks to a ridiculous four home runs in Wednesday’s doubleheader against T.F. North, Oak Forest slugger Tim Barry stood poised to make history in Thursday’s South Suburban crossover with Argo.

But tied for the all-time Illinois High School Association home run record and one behind the RBI record, the senior left fielder will have to wait at least one more game to put his name in the record book.

Barry went 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch in Oak Forest’s 2-1 home win over Argo.

For Barry though, the looming record didn’t even register.

“For whatever reason Wednesday, I found a way to get in a groove,” Barry said. “It’s the same mindset (going ahead) really. I have no pressure, and it doesn’t bother me at all.”

The Bengals (15-3, 13-1) scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh when John Zubek was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Cody Murray trotted home from third for the walk-off win.

“Our focus plain and simple is the team, and so is Timmy’s focus,” Oak Forest coach Thaddeus Gatton said. He’d like to get (the record) over and done with. As much as he doesn’t show it, it’ll be a burden off his shoulders.

Barry currently is tied with Odin’s Curtis Parrish (2000-03) for the home run record with 49 overall and is in second place overall for RBI with 192 to Greenville’s Stefan Neece (2002-05) and his 193 RBI.

In his at-bats Thursday, Barry roped a single up the middle in the first inning and skied a deep pop-up to center field in the third. In his last at-bat of the game, he forced a 3-2 count after being down 1-2 only to be hit in the back by Argo starter Jordan Ashley.

The possibility looming of being in the record book for all the wrong reasons didn’t faze Ashley.

“I’m trying to attack him,” Ashley said. “I’m going to go after him. It wouldn’t bother me to be that part of history. He’s a good hitter.”

Each time Barry stepped to the plate a buzz worked its way through the crowd of over 100 fans in attendance.

“The accomplishment is something that just to be a part of is special,” Gatton said. “(His ability) is something to drop your jaw at. It’s amazing to watch Tim, and hes truly a professional hitter.”

As for Barry’s chase of the record, he would like to accomplish the goal at home, but he isn’t picky.

“I’d be excited because I’ve wanted to do it ever since someone told me about the record,” Barry said. “At home, it could be (there), but if I get it away, I get it away.”

Argo falls to 9-10, 4-9.

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