By Patrick Z McGavin- Photos by Lauren Gray
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LISLE— Of all the mathematical possibilities and complex formulas, sometimes the game comes down to a pure science of space and reason.
The pioneering infielder from the early days of the game, the Hall of Famer Wee Willie Keeler, once famously observed in describing his success: “Keep your eye on the ball and hit ‘em where they ain’t.”
The Illinois Wolves 13U program has made its name and season fortune by smashing the ball all over the field—over the fences, in the deep gaps, and hard shots up the middle.
Sometimes you have to go a different route.
The Wolves perfected small ball during a six-run first inning in the five-inning 13-3 victory over New Trier Feeder Blue 13U in Greater Chicagoland Baseball League play at Community Park on Thursday, May 23.
The Wolves were more efficient and opportunistic than spectacular, generating their run total off of just six hits. They made up for that with 11 walks and seven stolen bases.
Michael Petrbok was the two-way standout as the pitcher of record and the owner of the biggest hit of the game, an arcing three-run homer down the right field line that ended the game.
“I was really happy about that home run, and ending the game like that, because I just felt like the whole day I couldn’t hit,” Petrbok said. “I was getting over the ball, and then under it.
“I felt a little rusty at the start because we haven’t played in four days.”
The southpaw Petrbok also started on the mound. He struck out two, allowed three hits, one earned run and four walks.
“I was getting the ball over the plate, and my curveball was working,” he said. “They were just whiffing on those. Then towards the end, I was just getting the inside corner every time. I was a little off during the first inning, so it felt good to come out in the second and have that big lead like that.”
Trailing 1-0 after the New Trier top of the first, the Wolves went to work, methodical and workmanlike.
“I think we put the ball where they weren’t,” Wolves coach Brandin Muniz said. “The kids did their job. It was a little different than what we usually do, which is drive the ball.
“I knew eventually it was going to come around. Our guys are very good at making the adjustments. Once the top of the order came around, I knew it was going to open up a little bit.”
Infielder Fred Sackley walked, stole two bases and scored the first Wolves’ run on an error. Petrbok walked, followed by a Jackson Martin single. Christian Slazak also walked. Graham Johnson had an infield hit RBI, and catcher Julien Duque followed with an RBI groundout.
The two signature plays of the inning were an RBI single by Jonny Burke, and infielder Brady Madden bringing home two runs by lacing a hard shot up the middle.
It was not always pretty.
As they have throughout the season, the Wolves got the job done.
“That two run hit really pumped everybody up, I think,” Madden said. “After that hit, it gave everybody a lot of confidence, and gave us the room to breathe and feel comfortable.
“We had those four days off because of the rainouts, and I think that kind of messed up some of the people on the team. We had to get back into our groove, and start hitting the ball again, like we’re used to doing.”
Madden also threw the last two innings of the game. He showed a clean and very sharp style, blowing the ball past the New Trier hitters with his fastball.
He had two strikeouts and allowed just a single during his dominant stretch.
“I think that was one of my best pitching days of the season,” said Brady. “My fastball was getting over during the first inning that I was throwing,” he said.
“My curveball was also working really well. But I didn’t really have to throw it that much because they couldn’t hit my fastball.”
Johnny Burke made a spectacular diving catch in centerfield during the second inning. The Wolves’ defense was solid, with just one mistake that did yield two unearned runs in the third inning.
Burke finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, and a run scored.
“During that first inning, I saw that I had runners on base, and I just told myself that I’ve got to do something big here,” Burke said. “I was waiting for that first pitch fastball, and I just sort of sat back and took it right up the gap.”
The Wolves broke through the rough patches.
After the big first inning, the team scored a run apiece in each of the second, third and fourth innings. The Wolves capitalized on the walks and the steals in order to manufacture those secondary runs.
Sackley finished with an RBi and three runs scored. Martin and shortstop Griff Sinkovich each scored two runs apiece.
Sinkovich also drove in a run.
Seven of the 10 players who were dressed scored at least one run. Petrbok and Madden were sharp and skilled enough to restrict any strong damage by the New Trier program.
With several normal rotation players not available, Greyson Johnson saw action and generated two walks. The 11-year old is the younger brother of Graham Johnson and son of coach Grant Johnson.
“Our pitchers did a very good job,” Muniz said. “Brady came in and shut them down, and took the wind out of their sails.”three
Up 9-3 to start the fifth inning, the Wolves ended how they began, with one significant difference.
After New Trier loaded the bases with walks, Sackley picked up the RBI on a groundout. Fittingly, the game ended with Petrbok up at the plate.
Going up against a left-handed pitcher, Petrbok waited for his moment. He ended the game with the three-run walk off homer run. The Wolves have hit at least one home run in about 90 percent of their games.
“He’s definitely the wild card on the team,” Muniz said. “There are going to be times you shake your head at him. Then you turn around, and he hits the game-ending home run.
“I love coaching kids like him because he makes the game exciting.”
