By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
Sunny skies and frigid 38 degree temps with 16 mile-per-hour easterly winds off the frigid waters of Lake Michigan greeted the Plainfield South Cougars for their 2019 home-opener on Monday. Due to poor conditions at the varsity field, the non-conference battle with Streator had to be moved to the sophomore field.
Luckily, for all those frigid folks in attendance, the Cougars made quick work of the visiting Bulldog with a 10-0 score in six-innings. Seniors Austin Richardson (2-0) and Jimmy Fitzmaurice combined on a three-hit shutout on the mound. Richardson allowed one hit in 3 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Fitzmaurice allowed two hits in his 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief, to nail down the save. Fitzmaurice fanned three.
Senior second baseman, Connor Blake, led the Plainfield South (4-0) attack with three hits, including a double and drove home two Cougar runs. DH Griffin Lapp had two hits and for the second consecutive Cougar game, contributed to “South Small Ball” with a executed suicide-squeeze bunt, for a Cougar run in the fourth inning.
“First of all this was a great team win,” Blake said. “We are all swinging the bat well and have had a great start to the season. I have been really hitting well to start the season.
“It was great to get our first win at home this season,” Lapp said. “We are all really playing well. I saw the pitcher was throwing strikes and I hit the ball hard and did everything I could do, to get the win.”
Cougar sophomore Tylor “Puma” Phommahanchon ( 1-for-3, RBI,SB), started “South’s Small Ball” in the very first inning. Cougar leadoff man Tony Mosher and Lapp singled and Mosher went to third. “Puma’s” executed squeeze bunt plated Mosher with the first Cougar run.
Richardson was effective but wild, as evidenced by his seven strikeouts and five base on balls in his 3 1/3 shutout innings. In the top of the fourth, after allowing his first and only Streator hit and his fifth walk, Cougar pitching coach Chet Lines removed Richardson in favor of Fitzmaurice.
With the Cougars up 4-0, Fitzmaurice entered the game in a save situation. Fitzmaurice was greeted by a single to load the bases for Streator (0-1) with one out. Fitzmaurice dispatched of the Bulldog leadoff man and No. 2 hitter on strikes to end the threat and nail down the save.
“I was really off mechanically, in the first inning. “Puma bailed me out.” Richardson said. “I settled in and pitched well tonight. My fast ball on the inside corner, was my best pitch.
“With the bases loaded, I just went out and threw strikes and knew if they hit the ball, my defense would make the plays behind me,” Fitzmaurice said.
Sophomore left-fielder, Jimmy McGuigan, the “little bro” of Cougar standout catcher Justin, had a pair of singles and scored two runs. “Big Bro” Justin did his usual work blocking numerous pitches in the dirt.
With the win, Plainfield South improves to 4-0 before taking off for Louisville, Kentucky for the Cougars annual Spring Trip. Hobart and Zionsville, Indiana and a pair of Kentucky powers await the unbeaten Cougars this weekend.
“It’s freezing cold. It’s lousy out. Austin just had to adjust to the mound, the weather and then pitched well for us,” Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine said. “Jimmy Fitzmaurice has pitched well for us in his two appearances. Jimmy pounds the strike zone. Connor Blake is hitting over .600 for us and we really try to scratch out runs, in any way we can.
“We are really looking forward to the Louisville Slugger trip. It’s a great time for all the kids to develop the camaraderie, we need to be successful. Hope for good weather and we get to play some quality teams and it should be a great trip, for all of us.”
AREA BASEBALL SCOREBOARD for March 25
Westmont 11 Munchkin 1 Sentinels improve to 4-1 in Munchkin Land!
Lisle 11 Francis Parker 0 Lions improve to 3-2 Mighty Pleasant Plains Tues!
Lincoln-Way West 8 Lockport 4 Porters suffer first loss, 6-1 now…
Esperanza (CA) 14 Downers Grove South 0
Glendora (CA) 3 Downers Grove South 0
West Aurora 3 Joliet Central 0 Steelmen back to .500 3-3