Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
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Lisle— The Wolves continued play in the Greater Chicagoland Baseball League on May 6. Hosting the visiting Barrigton Broncos in Lisle, this game would feature a pair of teams without a loss in league play.
The Wolves entered at 7-0 while the Broncos came in a game behind at 6-0.
As it turned out, the Wolves left little doubt who sits atop the 13U AAA GCBL standings after Run Ruling the Broncos 14-2.
The Wolves were all over Bronco pitching from the get go. A 12-hit barrage, included four home runs, with one a grand slam and an array of singles, was too much for the visitors. The Broncos also were generous in giving the Wolves several fee passes to first throughout the shorten game which ended up scoring.
The Wolves offense was so in sync, they managed to score nine runs in their first at-bats to jump out to a 9-0 lead and essentially put the game on ice after the first inning with the pitching of starter Michael Petrbok, Matthew Wiskowski and Christian Slazak.
Three home runs were hit in the first inning. Wiskowski provided the big blow with a bases-loaded Grand Slam to put the Wolves up 6-0.
“I was walking up, bases loaded, I was comfortable and I was looking for a first pitch because Brandin (Coach) told me, I saw it right down the middle and I took it out,” said Wiskowski. “The pitch location right down the middle helps, I’ve hit most of mine on pitching in that location. I still feel like im lunging a little bit. Im pretty happy on how im hitting, I’m working on my strikeouts but I know the hits will come as will some strikeouts. I’m ok with my swing.”
Two batters later Brady Madden also powered a Bronco pitch over the fence on the solo homer, increasing the lead.
After a hit-by-pitch to Juilen Duque, something that hadn’t happen before finally did.
At the start of the season, the Wolves players were asked what their goal for this season was? each player had something they wanted to accomplish.
For Auggie Ruffolo, his was simple, “Hit First Home Run in a Game”.
Batting at the bottom of the order, teams might think Ruffolo is a easy out. On a 1-1 pitch, the Broncos found out different. Ruffolo sent a high fly ball that kept carrying until it landed beyond the right field fence, accomplishing his goal for the year and hitting his first home run ever.
He circled the bases to the cheers of the crowd and especially from his teammates who rushed to home plate cheering him on, all the while Ruffolo had a smile of a Cheshire Cat rounding second.
After a high five from his coach, Ruffolo completed his first home run trot and was greeted at home by all the other Wolves in celebrating the feat.
“When I hit it, I saw the right fielder and it looked like he was going right under it and might catch it but I realized it was going farther, thats when I knew it was out,” said Auggie. “It felt great, but I thought I got under it a lot. When I was circling the bases I was feeling so happy because i’ve never hit a home run before, it was awesome when I got to home with all the guys there. This year, Coach Brandin told me to dig in in the batters box and then explode with by back hip and I feel its working for me.”
The first inning also saw something unique, Fred Sackley came up twice and grabbed two hits in the inning, all while struggling with a back ailment. His contribution and ability to get on base at the top of the order has been a significant positive for the Wolves. Sackley has been on base often. He turns a visit to first base into scoring position soon after. He leads the team in stolen bases and has doubled the next closest teammate’s tally.
“I’ve got something wrong with my lower back, so im limited on running,” said Sackley. “I tweeked it during this past tournament, so every now and then I get a sharp pain. I feel it when I’m hitting, so my swings have been kinda slow. I try to hit the ball hard and get it through the infield. Ive been hitting hard grounders and finding gaps well, it’s an easy way to get on base. I try to attack the pitcher when I go up to bat, I usually look for a first pitch fastball over the plate.”
The Wolves continued to pummel Bronco pitching the rest of the four inning game.
Inning two saw them add three more runs on three hits including a round-tripper by Jackson Martin. Slazak and Graham Johnson also scored in the inning. Slazak scored on on a Johnson single and Johnson on a sac fly by Wiskowski.
Wiskow relieved Petrbok on the mound and quickly mowed down the Bronco batters in order, keeping them scoreless with a 12-0 lead after three innings.
The Wolves were now in Run Rule territory with a difference in scoring of 12 runs. If they held the Broncos scroless in their next at bats, the Wolves walk away the victors.
Slazak took to the mound, struckout the first batter then gave up three singles and a walk over the next four batters that scored two runs before coaxing two fly outs to left field.
The Wolves needed two runs to secure the four-inning win with again a 12-run advatage difference.
With one out, Slazak singled and advanced to second on a Johnson walk. both would get in scoring position one pitch later.
With runners at second and third, Petrbok singled through the infield that scored both Slazak and Johnson with the Winning and ending runs for the 14-2 victory in three and half innings.
Nine of the eleven Wolves scored a run with Slazak and Johnson each scoring three times. Sackley led the team with three hits, while Wiskowski drove in five runners. Eight Wolves reached base via hits and ten of eleven batters reached base during the game.
Petrbok and Wiskowski gave up no hits in their stints on the mound. While Wolves pitching gave up just four hits in the game, allowing just a pair of runs.
The Wolves are now 8-0 in GCBL play .
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