By Miles Toogo- Photos by Renee Kaspar
**Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p181648064 **
LISLE— Baseball is loaded with superstitious routines. At every level, players stick to routines that have warranted them success!
No other sport has a bevy of continued routines like those observed on the diamond and in the dugout.
From wearing the same piece of clothing to hopping over baselines to tapping the plate with your bat along with a number of other routines, all are done solely to not break the spell of their good play whether at bat or on the field.
Currently, for the 13U Illinois Wolves (4-0), “Hot Bat” is the key to an early season onslaught of hits and runs and Oh, how it’s worked out.
A coveted bat cover slips over the players’ bats; gets zipped up and they use it as a batting weight while waiting in the On-Deck area, thus creating the “Hot Bat”, keeping their bats warm. They then go up to bat and pummel the pitches.
Majority of the players, if not all, use it.
In their game on March 25 against the Darien Hitmen, the Illinois Wolves belted out 20 hits and scored 27 runs in the 3.5 inning game, winning 27-3.
Doesn’t hurt that their pitching has been dominant and overwhelming too.
In this game, Michael Petrbok and Griff Sinkovich allowed just 3 hits and gave up no earned runs. The runs scored by the Hitmen were courtesy of Wolves errors.
The Wolves are deep when it comes to pitching with aces like Petrbok, Sinkovich, Christian Slazak, Brady Madden, Jackson Martin, Matthew Wiskowski, Payton Swartzendruber and Graham Johnson already shutting down opposing teams.
“As good as our hitting has been, our pitching has been dominating,” said Coach Brandin Muniz. “It’s close but the edge for me goes to our pitching. We aren’t giving up many hits in a game or giving up many walks, we are shutting down teams for the most part, but we definitely are hitting the ball really well and scoring a lot, we have 21 home runs in four games.”
Over the span of four games the Wolves have scored 83 runs and easily could have been more if not for playing “Base-to-Base” when the game is in hand and pulling in the reins on base stealing.
The Wolves are averaging nearly 21 runs a game while giving up just 2 runs. Yes, Id say Pitching and Hitting are working well for the 13U Illinois Wolves.
Offensively, the Wolves didn’t take long to jump ahead.
After Petrbok mowed the first three Hitmen down in order, the Wolves went to work, scoring 6-runs in their first at-bat followed by 16-runs in inning two, which saw the Wolves entire lineup nearly bat twice in the inning.
The second inning saw the Wolves accumulate 15 hits. The numbers are staggering.
Several Wolves managed to grab two hits in the inning.
Petrbok (1B, HR), Martin (1B, 2B), Slazak (2-1B), Johnson (2-1B), Wiskowski (1B, HR) and Fred Sackley (2B, 1B).
There were 10 consecutive Wolves that reached base and scored to begin the inning.
Johnny Burke, Petrbok, Martin, Slazak, Johnson, Wiskowski and Sackley each scored twice.
At one point there were 8 consecutive hits, which included 5 extra-base hits in that span.
Four home runs (Madden, Sinkovich, Wiskowski and Petrbok) were hit in the inning.
The Wolves again added more runs to their overwhelming lead in their final at-bats, plating five more to their tally. The 27 runs scored, although dominant and impressive, it was their second highest output of the season. Yes, that’s correct, SECOND!. The Wolves had previously scored 33 runs this year.
This game saw the Wolves be opportunistic as they took advantage of everything given to them. Walks and errors turned into runs and the hitting display was so exhausting, the Hitmen were chasing ball after ball as the Wolves sprayed the hits all over.
Leading the Wolves offensive onslaught was Matthew Wiskowski and Jackson Martin. Both led the team with three hits each.
Wiskowski produced a pair of singles and a 3-Run Homer adding 7-RBIs. Wiskowski has found a rhythm at the plate and is showing power and the ability to scatter hits
Martin has been clutch with runners on base. He was again in this game. Two singles and a double produced 6-RBIs while he also scored four times. Not the most vocal of players, he lets his batting do much of the talking and it hasn’t shut up yet.
Providing the beginning shot that hit the centerfield scoreboard with a loud thud was Brady Madden. Madden has been a picture of Power when in the batter’s box. You know when he hits a ball, as the sound resonates off his bat.
His blast over centerfield was his third home run of the season.
Asked if he’s looking for any particular pitch, Brady replied: “No, just anywhere in the count, I mean, if its high or low, I’ll hit it. I’m comfortable in the box. Just hitting it far, that feeling.”
Brady also has a knack for pitching well. His performance on the mound has been stellar. “Easing into the team has been good, there’s a bunch of good guys on the team. I’m gonna keep practicing and get better.”
Another key addition to the Wolves is Julien Duque. His play behind the plate as eased his teammates on the mound. His ability to be a wall and block pitches in the dirt keeps runners stranded at bases. He does what’s expected of him defensively to help his Wolves team.
“It’s been a great experience being here,” said Julien. “We have more catchers on this team. So, less pressure and easier to be a catcher here. I like catching our hard throwers, I’d rather catch them than the pitchers that are slower from last year. I’m comfortable when I’m batting but I need to start getting underneath the ball, elevating it and staying on it. I feel I can get on base but also hit for power, I’m a hybrid hitter.”
The Wolves have a plethora of hitters, Slazak, Petrbok, Sinkovich, Madden, Sackley along with others. But two Wolves, led by Wiskowski, have been on a hitting tear which also includes Jackson Martin.
Martin is “ON’ right now. Nearly every at-bat he is focused and producing, driving in runs. As the three spot hitter in the lineup, if the two batters before him get on base, there’s a good chance they’ll score with the help of Martin’s hitting.
“I’m just comfortable seeing the ball really well and making contact,” said Martin. “Low inside fastball, that’s what I like hitting. I’m kinda just hitting liners right now but I just need to elevate the ball a little more and get the ball out of here.
Hitting his first home run of the season, Griff Sinkovich got his chance to round the bases in a jog. His left field shot easily cleared the fence but there was some confusion on his part and the first base coach.
“I wasn’t sure what happened. The kid in left field started looking under the fence and Coach Grant didn’t know if it went out or not. I didn’t know if it went out,” said Griff. “I just trusted Coach Brandin when he told me.”
One thing you’ll see in every Griff at-bat is a patient batter. He is selective and waits on that pitch he’s looking for. Occasionally it’s the first pitch but not often.
“I’ve always been that way. I work on it in batting practice, and I try to focus on elevating and having a smooth swing. I love being on this team. Just hanging out with everyone is great.”
There were other Wolves that contributed to the Wolves victory. Payton Swartzendruber is a speedster where a walk to him turns into a triple soon after. He brings that speed element teams always covet.
You can count of Auggie Rufolo to put the ball in play. He may not hit for power but there’s a good chance he’ll advance runners as he seemingly makes contact.
Fred Sackley provided a single and a double that drove in a pair of runs while also scoring once. His addition to the team is another reason the Wolves are dominant at the plate and in the field.
Graham Johnson was among those with multiple hits in the game. Blessed with Power and speed, he will reach base regularly. He also scored three times while driving in three. Among the fastest on the team, Graham will be among the team leaders in nearly every statistic. Count on it.
The 13U Illinois Wolves are taking one game at a time, look for the “W” column to keep increasing!
Next game is March 26 against the Impact Navy at 6 pm in Lisle.
