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Richards makes quick work of Oak Lawn
Updated: April 29, 2011 9:03PM
On Monday, Richards scored 10 runs in the fifth inning to post a 12-2 win over rival Oak Lawn.
During Friday’s South Suburban Red rematch, Richards didn’t wait nearly as long to put Oak Lawn out of its misery. The Bulldogs scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and cruised to a 14-2 five-inning win.
Richards (15-5, 9-2) scored all of its first-inning runs after two outs.
“Seven runs after two outs in the first inning is a pretty good start to the ballgame,” Richards coach Brian Wujcik said. “We were down to our last strike when Jordan (Julian) got that double.”
Oak Lawn starter Bob Kametas allowed a leadoff single to Dan Kenealy and then retired the next two batters.
The third out, however, proved to be elusive. The next seven Bulldogs reached base, with Julian and Jake Beiriger driving in two runs apiece and Ricky Palacios knocking in one. Oak Lawn hand-delivered two more runs by way of the first of three errors.
Before the large contingent of fans could settle into their seats, Richards’ victory wasn’t in doubt.
“We had a chance to get out of the first inning without allowing any runs,” Oak Lawn coach Brian Clifton said. “Then it just kind of snowballed.”
With two on and two outs, Julian lined a 1-and-2 pitch to left-center for a two-run double. From there, the flood gates opened.
Joe Lyons added a solo home run in the third, hammering a letter-high heater over the scoreboard in left field.
“Lyons has been on a tear,” Wujcik said.
Chris Elliott added a three-run homer in the fourth, and Jim Augle joined the fun with an RBI single.
Richards’ Nos. 5-9 hitters — Julian (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Beiriger (1-for-1, 2 walks, 2 RBI), Elliott (2-for-4, 3 RBI), Palacios (3-for-4, RBI) and Jesse Valenti (1-for-2, 2 walks) — were a combined 9-for-15, scored 11 runs and drove in eight.
“It was good to see Elliott hit the ball hard,” Wujcik said. “He works hard and struggled early. But we’ve done some extra cage time and I’m happy to see it pay off.”
Bulldogs starter Jon Danielson lasted four innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out three in a 71-pitch effort. Dan Kenealy pitched a 1-2-3 fifth.
There weren’t many highlight for Oak Lawn. Joe Gray (2-for-2) led the offense, while Kyle Smith (1-for-2, 2 runs) and Cody Marek (1-for-1, walk) both reached base twice. Tony Swistek had a sacrifice fly for the Spartans (9-8, 5-5).
“We didn’t help ourselves,” Clifton said. “We’re trying to preach aggressiveness and we’re apprehensive at times. We’re just not executing.”
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