Entering the season, Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc had high hopes for his senior-led pitching staff.
The Warriors haven’t disappointed.
Lincoln-Way West won 13 of its first 15 games through Monday, led by a pitching staff that has been awfully stingy allowing opponents to cross home plate. The staff ERA is around 2.00
“We expected our senior class to lead us and they haven’t disappointed us,” Zajc said. “They’ve pitched extremely well and we’ve played good defense behind them.”
The return to form of right-hander Steve Skolarz has been a huge plus for the Warriors. Skolarz finished 3-2 a year ago, but struggled with his consistency the second half of the season. He’s been dominant thus far, boasting a 3-0 record, including a 6-1 win Friday against Andrew.
“Steve has been very sharp,” Zajc said. “He’s looked the like the Steve of old.”
Seniors Trevor Dallio, John Saffrahn, Andrew Clavenna and David Mulder, along with junior Tyler Dallio, have provided the Warriors with exceptional depth on the mound.
The defense, particularly the infield from third to first base of Ryan Hastings, Adam Knerr, Jake Rossborough and Matt Monahan, has made the routine plays and, at times, produced the spectacular. Left fielder Ben Zordani made an outstanding running catch against Andrew.
Bailey Magruder has done an excellent job behind the plate handling the pitching staff, according to Zajc.
Titans strong
First-year coach Josh O’Shea had a sneaky suspicion Tinley Park could produce a successful season.
“We’re off to a good start,” O’Shea said of the Titans (10-4). “That’s what I expected. I got to spend some time with the guys and got to know them during the offseason. I knew we’d surprise some people.”
The Titans have benefitted from solid pitching and defense. The trio of senior Quinn Kelly and juniors Connor Ceglarz and Brandon Williams has consistently located the strike zone. Kelly (.417 average) and Ceglarz (.371, 8 RBIs) also have contributed at the plate and in the field at shortstop and the outfield, respectively. Senior DH Steve Gonzalez leads the team in RBIs with 13.
“Our pitching and defense have been solid,” O’Shea said. “That’s what has held us in games. I really believe we have a chance to compete for the (South Suburban Blue) conference championship.”
The Titans also have received contributions from sophomores Colin Kelly, Cody McArthur and Austin Franczak.
“Franczak has been awesome defensively,” said O’Shea, who lauded the work of his assistants, Phil Wail and Marty Coyle.
On target
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Bremen coach Mike Cline is confident his team has what it takes to register a third straight 20-win season.
The Braves won eight of their first 11 games before dropping three straight entering Tuesday.
“We’re beating ourselves,” Cline said. “We’ve made a few costly errors and haven’t taken advantage of scoring opportunities.”
The Braves have a very solid three-pitcher rotation in seniors Brett Kolacki and James Christ and sophomore Mike Fuentes. The left side of the infield boasts three-year starters in third baseman Kyle Ramos and shortstop David Strom.
“We have the ability to run and put pressure on teams,” Cline said. “I think we’ve done a good job of that, but we have to play better defense.”
As proud as Cline is of the Braves excellence on the field, it takes a backseat to what they’ve accomplished off the field. The Braves have been awarded the state’s academic achievement award for earning at least a “B” average for six straight seasons.
Cline is confident the Braves will extend their achievement to a seventh straight season and, hopefully, add another 20-win total on the field.
“It’s great to be able to play baseball, but we demand excellence in the classroom, too,” Cline said. “That’s what being a student-athlete is about. We hold our kids accountable for their performance in the classroom.”
Player of the Week
James Sheehan, of Homewood-Flossmoor, is this week’s Daily Southtown Baseball Player of the Week. The senior pitcher fired a six-hitter and struck out four to lead the Vikings to a 6-0 win over Sandburg. He also contributed an RBI single to the win.
Twitter: @disabato
Baseball Top 10
Includes records through Monday; last week’s rankings in parentheses
1.St. Rita 21-0 (1)
2.Mount Carmel 16-1 (2)
3.Homewood-Flossmoor 10-2 (3)
4.Providence 13-2 (4)
5.Joliet Catholic 12-2 (5)
6.Lincoln-Way North (12-5-1) (7)
7.Brother Rice 15-4 (6)
8.St. Laurence 13-3 (7)
9.Lincoln-Way West 13-2 (10)
10.Marist 12-2 (NR)