By Patrick McGavin- Photos by Jenn-Anne Geldhill
**Additional Photos are Available at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p847637091 **
LISLE—Sometimes the beauty of the game is all about anticipating and living in the moment.
Regardless of age or level, the natural habit is always to dream about something, and then take all the necessary actions to make it materialize in the moment.
Christian Slazak fits all the requisites, like Roy Hobbs out of the classic novel or movie version of “The Natural.” At 5-foot-9, he fits the role of elite talent, one sporting a big bat who drives the ball with authority and skill.
He is also smart and talented enough to make everything work to his advantage. Slazak does whatever the team needs. He plays first base, hit pitches, and he ignites the big-play run attack.
“People talk a lot about my size, and what a big advantage it is,” he said. “No matter what the situation, I always come out confident.”
His grand slam powered the Illinois-Lisle Wolves Black 12U team to the 11-1 four inning rout of the Woodridge Bulldogs in WSBL play on Tuesday night in Lisle Community Park.
He has the size and length to generate bat speed, the vision and balance to always make contact, and the strength to put in ball places that nobody can reach.
“Last year I also had my first ever grand slam in a game,” Slazak said.
The second time was also the charm.
“Their pitcher threw a high fastball, and it was kind of outside, and I just took it to the opposite field,” he said. “When I first hit it, the outfielder got confused, and he didn’t know where the ball was.”
The answer was outside of the field of play.
If the central part of being an athlete is playing a role to perfection, Slazak is the kind of dream athlete who always performs to the highest level.
“The team expects me to hit home runs, and that is what I’m going to do,” he said.
Southpaw Michael Petrbok continued his impressive performance with a dominant three inning masterpiece. He struck out four, walked none, and conceded just one hit.
His only mistake was surrendering a second inning home run.
Griff Sinkovich closed out the game with one inning of relief.
“I think our pitching is deeper than any team we are going to play,” Wolves coach Brandin Muniz said. “I’ll put our pitching up against any team out there.
“If it’s a one-game showdown, I’ll put the money on our team because our pitching depth is there.”
In that regard, the Wolves hold almost an embarrassment of riches with its depth and versatility on the mound. Sinkovich personified that with his overpowering pitching in relief to close out the game in the fourth inning.
“Griff has become one of our better pitchers, we just haven’t had a chance to use him as much,” Muniz said.
“He has become a weapon. I don’t think he has given up a run all year.”
On a windy night, the conditions favored the long hitters of the Wolves. Slazak finished 1-for-2 with 4 RBI and a run scored. Center fielder Johnny Burke was the other offensive star with two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
Out of the 19 official at-bats, the Wolves collected nine hits and generated five walks. Infielder Gavin Smith also knocked in two runs, produced two hits and scored twice.
Burke blasted a triple, and Smith added a double as part of the hitting showcase.
The Slazak grand slam powered the 4-0 first inning start.
The symbolic gesture illustrated the differences between the two teams. The Wolves were smashing the ball to all sides, generating runs off hitting and movement.
The Bulldogs were left running in place. The hard throwing Petrbok kept them guessing, unsure whether he was going to deliver the heat or knock them off balance with his slider and curveball.
The night was filled with discovery and magic. The first-year program is meeting all expectations to start the season in unfavorable weather. The Wolves have excelled at multiple facets of the game, showing off exceptional fielding, excellent pitching and timely hitting.
Smith had six putouts as the Wolves did not commit an error. The Bulldogs were the newest team to see that collection of talent, will and drive.
“We had a couple of kids who were consistent on the base paths,” Muniz said. Our right fielder, Brian Grogan, was also huge for us tonight. He is the captain.
“When he does well, the rest of the team follows it.”
The entire team contributed to the highlight reel victory against Woodridge, including Eamon Muldoon, Tyler Sokolnicki, Graham Johnson, Nico Villanueva, Quinn Robinson and Auggie Ruffolo.