By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
www.buglenewspapers.com
In a possible preview of the inaugural East Suburban Catholic Conference Championship Game, to be played on May 11, the South Division leaders from Joliet Catholic squared off with the North Division leaders from Notre Dame Saturday morning in windy Niles.
Unlike the Good Friday wind in Joliet, that was howling in at 35 miles per hour., Saturday’s wind in Niles was blowing straight out at the same.
Aided by a crucial Notre Dame miscue and a few wind-aided hits Joliet Catholic rolled to the 12-3 ESCC crossover victory.
Notre Dame (6-6, 3-2 North) junior Matt Salmonson (3-for-4, HR, RBI) led off the Dons’ first inning with a solo blast to left, for a 1-0 ND lead.
In the top of the second, consecutive Hilltopper singles from clean-up hitter Dan Weustenfeld (3-for-4, 3 RBI), Jared Cushing ( 2-for-5, RBI) and Greg Ziegler, loaded the bases against Dons’ starting pitcher Pat Ambrose.
After one out, Hilltopper right fielder, Mike Gurka, tied the game at 1, with an RBI single. A ground ball off the bat of Hilltopper No. 9 hitter Nate Gehrke (1-for-4), was misplayed by the Dons and two Hilltopper runs scored, for a 3-1 lead.
Leadofff man Nick Iannantone, got a ball up in the wind for an RBI triple. Max Cullen (2-for-5, RBI), would single home Iannantone and the Hill led 5-1.
Weustenfeld and Cushing, would each pick up their second hits of the inning, with a little help from Mr. Wind.
Weustenfeld’s RBI single made it 6-1 Hilltoppers and then Cushing plated two more, with a double for an 8-1 lead.
Seven of the eight Hilltopper runs were unearned against Ambrose.
That’s 19 RBI for Cushing in his last 11 games.
“Everyone was hitting the ball hard and a great win,” Cushing said. “I try to win each pitch, in each individual at bat. Nothing magical about my approach. I have been able to do that and the big hits are falling.”
In the top of the third inning, Iannantone (2-for-5, 3B, HR, 3RBI) launched his fourth round-tripper of the season with DH Tony Fleischauer aboard for a 10-1 Hilltopper lead.
“We were a little rusty having not played since Tuesday, but played well and got the win,” Iannantone said. “It felt good to hit well to get out of a little slump, I had been, as of late. No days off in the ESCC South. Another great team in Nazareth, next.”
Weustenfeld picked up his third RBI of the game with a single to make it 11-3 and the Hillltoppers would pick up another unearned run in the seventh to conclude the scoring.
“Great ESCC win for us,” Weustenfeld said. “Zach Hise, gave up the leadoff homer but came back and pitched a good game. I just stay relaxed at the plate and hunt the fastball. I love the cleanup spot in the lineup where I can relax and drive in big runs for us.”
Joliet Catholic starting and winning pitcher, Zach Hise, improved to 3-0 on the mound, scattering eight hits and striking out eight and not walking a batter.
All nine hitters in the Hilltopper batting order, all contributed to the 15-hit Hilltopper attack.
“We played well at the plate and in the field, for another big win,” Hise said. “I expect more from me on the mound. I wasn’t great but I battled through, to get the win. That 8-run second inning, my teammates gave me, sure helped.”
The ESCC South leaders from Joliet Catholic, will travel to La Grange Park and take on Nazareth (13-2-1, 2-2).
“An overall good win for us today,” Joliet Catholic coach Jared Voss said. “Zach pitched well for us and it’s early for him, coming back from his injury. Having Dan and Jared in the middle of the order, hitting the way they have been, is a big plus for us. Looking forward to the series with Nazareth. It’s always a lot of fun, playing our big rivals.”