Stay Connected with YourSeason
Late hits ignite Benet comeback
Updated: April 2, 2011 9:26AM
With slumps to start each of the last two seasons serving as reminders, Waubonsie Valley's motivation to get off to a stronger start in 2011 was high.
But three games into the season, it appears the Warriors could be digging themselves into a hole yet again.
A day after its defense faltered in a two-run loss to defending Class 4A state champion Naperville Central, Waubonsie Valley's middle relief struggled mightily as Benet scored nine unanswered runs to pull away for a 10-4 victory on Thursday in Aurora.
Having staked junior right-hander James Palasz to a 3-1 lead after five innings, the Warriors surrendered six runs to the Redwings in the top of the sixth as Benet sent 10 men to the plate.
Six of the first seven batters in the inning reached base safely for Benet, highlighted by junior pinch hitter Andrew Mogni's two-run double to left field on the first pitch he saw off Warriors right-handed reliever Kyle Limanowski. That gave Benet a 4-3 lead it wouldn't relinquish.
"(Coach Jeff Bonebrake) just told me, first pitch is yours. I saw the pitch and hit it," said Mogni, who had a key pinch hit the day before at York.
Seven Redwings had at least one hit, with shortstop Nick Moore and first baseman Chris Stout each collecting two hits, and four Redwings had two RBI apiece - Mogni, Moore, Stout and center fielder R.J. Gatto.
"We got a couple walks and got some guys on base, obviously had the big hit with Mogni," said Bonebrake, whose team added three more runs in the seventh to pad its lead. "I just think that kind of loosened us up. Both teams started slow offensively, and I think as the day got warmer and they got a couple bats under their belt, the pitchers weren't really fooling anybody."
Senior Mike Luka (1-0) picked up the win for Benet (2-2) after giving up one run on two hits in three relief innings of junior starter Jim Lynch.
The Warriors made up for their poor start last year by winning 20 of their last 23 games to finish the regular season 24-9 and second in the Upstate Eight Conference. Unless something changes fast, another run may be required to help build some confidence.
Right now, its either one way or the other, Waubonsie Valley coach Dan Fezzuoglio said. "They can feel sorry for themselves and really be (down). You gotta keep working. It's still early in the year."
Despite picking up the loss after giving up four runs on six hits while walking four in 5-1
3 innings, Palasz finished 2-for-3 while Connor Readnour had a two-run single in the fourth for Waubonsie Valley (0-3).
© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.
Cell Phone Alerts
Comments Click here to view or make a comment