By Miles Toogo- Photos by Renee Kaspar
** Addisitional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p17041953 **
Lisle— The 13U Illinois Wolves kick-started their West Suburban Baseball League schedule on April 9 at Community Park in Lisle.
Last Season the Wolves finished as Runner-Ups in the WSBL and were looking to get off on the right foot to capturing the 2025 title when they hosted the Glen Ellyn Rebels on a wet, cold Wednesday evening.
In their early season schedule, the Wolves have dominated play having run-roughshod over their first five opponents, winning each game easily and plating an impressive amount of runs along with nearly 30 home runs on the season.
After not playing a game for almost two weeks, the Wolves gathered on the cold wet evening looking well and relaxed during warm-ups.
Although Mother Nature wasn’t cooperating, the Wolves were ready and willing to continue their win streak despite the weather.
Looking rusty and sluggish at the bat, the Illinois Wolves (6-0) would shorten the game to five innings due to WSBL run rule, with a 10-2 thumping of the visitors in their closest game of the year during the wet, 40 degree climate; extending their streak and remaining unbeaten on the season.
“I think we were all a bit rusty since we hadn’t seen live pitching in nearly a couple weeks,” said Jackson Martin. “For me, I hit the ball pretty good with hard contact, straight to the guy but I need to clean that up.”
“I think this game was to get the rust off heading to this weekend where we face some really good teams, we’ll have to tighten everything up.”
Coach Branding Muniz also agreed with the importance of playing on this evening.
“I felt it was important to get this game in regardless of the conditions. We’ve been off for a couple weeks, headed into a tournament where we are looking to continue what we’ve done to date.”
“The weather does affect both teams but I feel it affects the better team more especially being off for a while. I felt it was a test for us in the conditions. I thought we played well considering.”
The Wolves are wanting to get back to where they were prior to spring break so a Tuesday practice and a Thursday one will help sharpen their skills.
One dominant mainstay of the Illinois Wolves has been pitching.
Picking up right where they left off, the Wolves allowed just a solo hit in this game. Starter Christian Slazak went two innings and faced just six batters in his stint, he was followed by lefty’ Michael Petrbok.
Petrbok wasn’t at his best early on with a pair of walks to two of his first three batters but he managed to hold the Rebels to a solo run.
Jackson Martin next took to the mound for the Wolves and worked to get the kinks out of his delivery giving up one hit and one run.
Closing out the game for the Wolves on the mound was Matt Wiskowski. After walking the first batter, Matt went on to strike out the next two and got a grounder to third for the final out.
The Wolves arsenal on the mound along with their depth is going to provide many victories in 2025 and has been the difference so far as teams haven’t been able to match what the Wolves throw at them.
Another factor to their success so far is their defense. They simply aren’t making errors that provide opponents with extra at-bats. Their sound defense has been stellar to date.
Offensively, the Wolves again displayed the ability to launch baseballs over the fences and the trees.
The shot of the night came in the second inning when Wiskowski with a man on, sent a 3-1 pitch into the atmosphere clearing the tall pines and returning to earth near the basketball courts. The 2-run homer was impressive on its trajectory.
Also homering in the game was Slazak after his stint on the mound. His third inning shot to center scored two runs.
“I felt pretty comfortable on the mound and being out there tonight,” said Christian. “I tried a regular curveball out during the beginning of the season but I wasn’t feeling it, so I switched back to the slip and it’s been better.”
“ During my second at-bat, I was looking to put a ball in play on a 2-2 count and he gave me a high one and I took the level on it for the homer. I like those high ones.”
Graham Johnson stroked his 2-run shot over right field later in the fifth. Graham has been one of the Wolves that can put a ball beyond the fence at any time. He may be the strongest hitter on the team with his base hits blasting off on impact of his swing.
“I’m mostly looking for fastballs, I leave the off-speed for balls,” said Graham. “I like middle zone a lot. I think last year we had some holes in our lineup, this year everybody rakes the ball and that’s a spark for hitting. I’m excited to play a couple of the teams this weekend and get back at them.”
The 13U Wolves are opportunistic. If you give one of their batters a free pass via a walk or error or any reason, there’s enough talent in the line up that more than likely, runs will be scored. Seven of ten walks issued to the Wolves ended up scoring.
Slazak, Johnson, Fred Sackley and Brady Madden each scored twice, with Petrbok and Wiskowski each scoring once.
Six different hitters reached base via a base hit. Those six hits produced 10 runs in the game.
Slazak, Sackley and Madden reached base in all their at-bats with Madden being walked in each of his three plate appearances.
Also adding to the team victory was catcher Auggie Ruffolo. His play behind the plate assisted each Wolves pitcher.
Payton Swartzendruber laced a double on a rope in the final inning which scored two runs giving him the team lead for the game with three RBI’s.
The Wolves next head up to Franklin Wisconsin for their first tournament of the year this weekend. We will see if the rust is completely gone with tough competition awaiting them.
