No Photos allowed by Tournament Director, our apologies.
Joliet— Sports comebacks are thrilling to experience. As a fan, when your team comes back, theres a sense of accomplishment for yourself. Knowing you had nothing to do with the effort to overcome a deficit, you still take great satisfaction in simply viewing it, almost as if you were the reason of the comeback effort.
For players or participants in the comeback, nothing is more gratifying for several reasons, especially in baseball.
Understanding the required, significant mental fortitude and demonstrating exceptional teamwork and resilience, often overcoming seemingly insurmontable odds, is why its so gratifying.
The thrill of rallying from behind creates a sense of accomplishment, showcasing the players ability to adapt and persevere, making the comeback a memorable moment for fans and players alike.
Baseball seems to relish in the comeback more than any other team sport.
After tying in their previous day to open the Miss Gloria Mother’s Day Tournament in Joliet, the Wolves were back on the diamond ready for their second game of the tournament. On tap were the Hitter Black UDC from Mokena.
They also came into this match up having tied in their previous game and entered needing a win to assure themselves a chance at being in the winners bracket.
The Wolves took to the field to start the 1:45 timed game.
The Wolves would endure a 26-minute half-inning as the Hitters Black would send eleven batters to the plate and score 7 runs on 6 hits plus a couple of errors that put the Wolves in a deep hole.
Although the Wolves trailed 7-0 before even swinging a bat, just outside the dugout as they gathered, the coaches told their players they would chip away at the lead and score runs every inning and work their way back into the game.
The only positive of their start was that it was just the first inning.
The Quest was now at hand after an auspicious beginning for their opponent.
The Wolves went to work and began the comeback effort with two runs in their first at-bats.
Two singles by Michael Petrbok and Jackson Martin turned into runs as Martin and Chrstian Slazak (2B) drove in a run each.
The Hitters again added a run to their tally in their next at bat. Petrbok took to the mound and gave up a lead off walk that scored on a double, he then went on to retire the next three batters.
The 8-2 lead felt secure to the Hitters first base coach as he mentioned that the Wolves should advance to bracket play even with a loss. Get back to that later.
The Wolves added another run in their next plate appearence. After stroking a double, Matthew Wiskowski scored on a ground out by Julien Duque to make the score 8-3 after two innings.
Petrbok settled in on the mound and kept the Hitters off balance with a good mix of pitches while the Wolves defense also improved the remainder of the game.
“I Think I did pretty good, I was hitting my corners but the ump wasnt calling the outside corner,” said Petrbok of his relief appearence. “I did whatever I could. I was working on my spots. I just keep doing my high leg kick and it kept them guessing. We need to start the game better in our next game. Maybe it’s just pressure that gets to us, not sure.”
The thrid inning presented an on opportunity for the Wolves to get back in the game.
A hit by pitch to Auggie Ruffolo would turn into five runs soon after. A double by Fred Sackley and singles by Petrbok and Slazak scored three runs while free passes and an error provided another pair of runs, tying the game after three innings at 8-8.
The Hitters first base coach now was stating and wondering out loud if a loss by his team would advance them…..
Petrbok got into some trouble in the top of the fourth, allowing a run to score. After a strike out, he Walked the next batter and gave up a single while also commiting an error. Trying to add to their lead, the Hitters had a runner thrown out at the plate when Slazak rifled a ball to Duque for the tag at home.
Up a run with time ticking away in the game, the Hitters needed to hold the Wolves scoreless in the bottom half of the inning, the Wolves didn’t oblige.
Another hit by pitch was the catalyst for the Wolves. Duque managed to get to third base with some help from the Hitter pitcher and scored on a clutch Brady Madden single to tie the game. Ruffolo sacrificed Madden into scoring position with a bunt and Madden later scored the go ahead and what turned out to be the winning run on an error by the Hitters first baseman.
With the 1:45 time limit about to expire, the Hitters had one last chance and left the tying run at third base after Petrbok coaxed two infield ground outs, the last to shortstop Payton Swartzendruber.
“Playing shortstop can be a difficult position, it is for me. Its all routie and keeping your head on with easy throws and easy fields,” said Payton. “I try to forget about my mistakes and throw hard and not change much and keep trying to make plays like that last out of the game. When I’m batting, I just need to level off my swing and not get behind in the count, then see terrible pitches and I get under the ball for easy fly balls. I’m trying to stay aggressive. It was a good comeback win for us.”
With the win, the Wolves advanced to the winners bracket while the Hitters would be delegated to the consolation bracket..
