By Patrick McGavin- Photos by Renee Kaspar
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MOUNT PROSPECT— Sometimes familiarity is a little too close for comfort.
That notion became particularly acute in the tense space where motivation and revenge are the classic opening notes.
The Illinois Wolves 13U discovered a program eager to make amends, and show what they were capable of.
Making matters worse, the Wolves slept through the start. They were seemingly dreaming in space.
Everything was set up for a huge upset. A trap game against a quality opponent, and the favorite somewhat off their game.
“We were all tired, and we didn’t come ready to play,” starting pitcher Brady Madden said.
“After the first two innings, we woke up and started blasting the ball around and into the outfield.”
A bases-clearing single by Madden restored the order in the Wolves’ 10-3 five-inning victory over the New Trier Feeder Blue 13U in the semifinals of the Experience the Turf tournament at Melas Park on Sunday, January 15.
The Wolves (46-5-1) captured their 20th consecutive victory.
The Wolves beat New Trier 7-4 Friday in the opening of pool play. The team also beat New Trier 13-3 at Main Park on May 22.
Jackson Martin went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Auggie Ruffolo also scored two runs.
Graham Johnson, Michael Petrbok and Matthew Wiskowski each collected a hit.
The game-altering moments belonged to the unlikely trio of Madden, Jonny Burke and Julien Duque.
At the start New Trier made the Wolves sweat by jumping out to the 3-0 lead through its first two appearances at the plate.
The sloppiness was apparent after an error on the opening play set up New Trier’s first inning run.
Madden was a bit off his game at the start, allowing three hits during a second inning that led to two more runs.
In four innings, Madden gave up five hits, three runs and just one strikeout.
He held New Trier scoreless in his final two innings of work, and Petrbok closed the door with two strikeouts and allowing just one hit in his two innings of relief.
“We started to figure out the umpire’s zone was pretty outside,” said Duque, the catcher. “We started to call more outside pitches and that enabled us to paint the corners more.
“We were able to get those strikeouts, or just get their batters out.”
Burke was the offensive catalyst with three hits and two RBI. He blasted two separate run-scoring singles that helped break the game open.
Madden also offset his own shaky start by aiding his own cause. Burke and Duque helped set the stage in the bottom of the third inning.
Burke opened with a sharp single, followed by Duque with a sharply laid down bunt.
“The first pitch I brought it down a little bit too early,” Duque said. “Coach Brandin (Muniz) gave me the sign, and I got it down. It wasn’t the best bunt in the world. I was able to get to first.
“Especially in the game, I feel like we’re very good about keeping our composure. We don’t panic, and we know there’s a lot of time. Even if we do get down, our offense is so good that we should be able to take care of it.”
A walk by Payton Swartzendruber created a prime opportunity for Madden.
His deep single scored all three runners, wiping out the New Trier advantage and altering the momentum and flow of the game.
“That helped us up because we tied the game,” Madden said. “We didn’t have to worry about the score at that point.
“We just relaxed, and went out and played our game. I think everybody here felt that we were going to beat this team, and I did too because of our pitching.”
Of course, what makes the Wolves so lethal are the multiple ways they are able to attack the opposition. The Madden three-run single was one angle.
That was the opening salvo.
With Madden at third and Martin coaxing a walk, Christian Slazak reached on an error that scored Madden.
Martin pushed the lead out to 5-3 by aggressively taking advantage of a throwing error to first base.
New Trier had one final serious challenge in the fourth inning. Playing third base, Johnson came up with the defensive play of the game.
With the bases loaded, Johnson made a diving stop of a hard ball down the third base line.
He gathered the ball in time for the putout at third and completed the double play with a sharp throw to first.
It prevented a New Trier run, and ostensibly put the game away.
In their half of the fourth, the Wolves slowly and effectively put the game out of reach.
Burke and Duque hit run-scoring singles.
“I was just thinking about driving the ball,” Burke said. “Coach Brandin, on the first time at bat, figured out their sequence.
“I knew they were throwing a fastball.”
After singles by Martin and Johnson and a Petrbok walk loaded the bases, Wiskowski smashed a ball for another RBI single.
As a pinch runner, Ruffolo scored on an error.
Burke closed out the offensive with the hardest hit ball by a Wolves’ player of the day.
His hard smash into right field scored Slazak with the final run.
“The first pitch, he threw a really good curveball and I just wanted to take that out,” Burke said.
“I knew, after that, the fastball was coming, and I just swung away.”
In a game of momentum and flow, the Wolves took back the narrative.
It paved their ticket to the championship game for the second straight week.
“After winning the Primetime tournament last week, I think we’re very confident about getting into these championship games,” Madden said.
“Even when we get down early, we can’t worry about that. We just have to get back into the game.”
The Illinois Wolves 13U squad had many standout contributors in the 10-3 victory over New Trier.
Fred Sackley was excellent in the field and running the bases. Spencer Marnell also put pressure on the Trevians’ defense.
