Roback’s pitching, hitting lifts Spartans

Updated: June 4, 2011 6:41PM

St. Francis got pitching and hitting from Jack Roback to defeat Richmond-Burton, 6-2, in the Grayslake Central Sectional Final on blistering hot Saturday. Roback went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and pitched five innings allowing one run on one hit to lead the Spartans.

“I came with a good mindset to the game. I needed to do what I could for the team to win,” said Roback. “I just happened to hit well and pitch well on the same day.”

The Spartans jumped out to an early lead. In the second inning, Rockets pitcher Ray Wojciechowski gave up a leadoff walk to Lonnie Hicks and a base hit to Ryan Acciavatti. Roback hit a triple to score both runners and scored on a fielder’s choice by Preston Preusser to give the Spartans the lead 3-0. The Spartans added three more runs in the fifth inning to seal the win.

“That’s one of our philosophies, to jump out in front first with a big inning,” said Spartans Coach Rich Janor. “This is the first time in the history of our school that we are in the Super-Sectionals and it couldn’t happen to a better group of guys.”

The Rockets couldn’t get it done the whole game. In the fourth inning, Roback walked two batters but Donny Stupienski hit a grounder back to mound. Roback threw him out at first and proceeded to strike out pinch hitter Jared Stanek to end the threat. The Rockets left six runners on base for the game.

“It was hot out there, I tried to stay hydrated,” said Roback (8-1). “All my pitches were working. Our catcher Casey Zimmerman did a great job and our defense really helped me out a lot.”

The Rockets (24-9) were coming off a 5-0 no-hit win over Vernon Hills by E.J. Trapino. However, Rockets Coach Mike Giese felt it wasn’t their day.

“The big innings tightened us up a little bit,” said Giese. “We just didn’t get the hits when we needed it today and (Roback) kept us off-balanced.”

The Spartans (25-12) move on to the Naperville (North Central College) Super-Sectionals against Nazareth Academy on Monday.

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