The 1-2 pitching combination of junior Hank Christie and senior Chris Atwood has helped Oak Park-River Forest’s baseball team take over sole possession of first place near the midpoint of the West Suburban Silver season.
In a showdown between WSC Silver co-leaders on Saturday, OPRF’s 9-3 win at Downers Grove North put the Huskies in first all by themselves. Atwood, a 6-foot-3 left-hander, earned the victory by allowing only five hits in six innings, while throwing only 70 pitches.
On Friday, it was Christie’s turn as the Huskies (11-4, 7-1) handed the Trojans (12-3, 6-2) their first conference loss, 13-2, in the first of three games in the series, which concludes Monday at OPRF.
“Our kids have done what it’s taken,” Huskies coach Chris Ledbetter said. “We have taken care of our business.”
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Atwood retired the first six batters he faced before allowing two runs in the third inning on an RBI triple by Brett Pyburn, who eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Atwood was clocked in the preseason by Prep Baseball Report in the 80-81 mph range. Ledbetter believes Atwood’s early season success is due to increasing the speed on his fastball.
“He’s starting to throw the baseball harder,” Ledbetter said. “He’s a big kid with long arms that makes him that much better.”
Atwood said he has been able to control his two-seam fastball and has improved his curveball. He did not have any starts last season, as he came out of the bullpen.
“I have definitely worked to get my velocity up,” Atwood said. “I’ve been in the weight room to get stronger and get the velocity that I wanted.”
The precision of Atwood and Christie has allowed Louisville-bound catcher Patrick Rumoro to position the other Huskies’ fielders.
“It’s the best,” Rumoro said about catching the duo. “They are pitchers in command of their fastball and it makes my job much more easier so I can focus on being a leader of the defense.”
Because of weather concerns for Monday’s finale, Ledbetter moved Atwood up in the rotation to pitch Saturday. Atwood walked three batters and struck out two. Even in the two-run third, he threw only 16 pitches.
Atwood also batted leadoff for the Huskies and went 2-for-3 with two runs and a double.
Junior left-hander Luke McMahon finished the game by pitching a scoreless seventh inning, retiring the final batter on a strikeout with the bases loaded.
“Right now I feel pretty pleased,” Ledbetter said. “This team is becoming what we want in the field and where we need to be. They’re relentless.”
Twitter: @geomwilcox