By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
Pitching.
Now in the their ninth year, under the tutelage of Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine, the Cougars have always been recognized, throughout the state, for their quality pitching. Even the two sub.500 Cougar teams, under Bodine, still had quality pitching.
Looking back, Bodine’s three York Duke teams, which won 58 games in three years; the Dukes had quality pitching. Before that, Bodine’s 15 Mendota Trojan clubs, that won 332 games, finished second in Class A in the old two-class system in 1996, made the Elite 8 in 2000 and finished third, in 2003, the Trojans had quality pitching.
After losing to graduation pitchers Austin Marozas (Kentucky), Konnor Ash (Missouri) and Jordan Mikel (WIU), the big question was; could Bodine do it again?
On Monday, junior lefty Austin Richardson (4-1), fired a no-hitter at Oswego East,with nine strikeouts. Richardson extended his no-hit innings to 13, having thrown six no-hit innings in his previous start, against Joliet West, on April 16. It was the fourth no-hitter for Bodine’s pitching staff and the sixth shutout of 2018.
On Tuesday, senior Trey Ricko (4-0) fired a two-hit shutout at Plainfield Central (11-7, 3-4) striking out 12 and walking one. AJ Mannucci, for the second consecutive game, provided the game-wining run, for Cougar pitchers, scoring on a wild pitch, in the second inning, to lead the Cougars, to a 1-0 Southwest Prairie Conference victory. Shutout No. 7.
With the win, Plainfield South (12-2, 7-0) now has a one game SPC lead over Oswego East (11-4, 6-1) and Plainfield East (16-2, 6-1). Oswego East, visits South on Wednesday at 4:30.
In the Cougar second, Mannucci (2-for-3, R), beat out an infield single, on a controversial call at first base. With Cougar shortstop Griffin Lapp attempting to sacrifice, it appeared to everyone, except the men in blue, that Lapp was hit by a batted ball in fair territory. One out? After an emotional discussion between the home plate umpire and Plainfield Central head coach John Rosner, the home plate umpire claimed it was just a foul ball.
Plainfield Central (11-7, 3-4) hard-luck starting and losing pitcher, Justin Divelbiss (2-4) plunked Lapp. Zach Pawlak reached on a Wildcat miscue to load the bases. With Matt Snyder at the plate, Divelbiss unleashed a wild pitch and Mannucci dashed across the plate with the only run of the ball game.
“Coming in today’s game we knew we were facing a quality pitcher,” Mannucci said. “Matt Snyder had a quality at bat. He made Divelbiss throw a lot of pitches and eventually he threw a wild one. I got a good jump off third and was able to score the big run for us.”
Plainfield Central, shortstop Charlie Bischoff singled and third baseman David Ascensio walked, to leadoff the fourth. Both moved up to second and third on a sac-bunt by Cal Lindish. Ricko struck out the next Wildcat hitter, for the second out. Wildcat DH Brendan Dorsey hit a shot to right. Getting A tremendous jump on Dorsey’s smash, Cougar right fielder Tony Mosher, raced over and made the catch to end the inning.
“Our pitching and defense won today’s game,” Mosher said. “ In the fourth inning, Dorsey hit one in the gap. I got a good jump on it and made the catch. Man, if I didn’t, that really would have been bad for me.”
After the lone Wildcat threat was thwarted, Ricko went on cruise control, retiring the last nine Wildcat hitters he faced, six via strikeouts.
“I was able to really pound the strike zone. I painted the corners today,” Ricko said. “I kept the ball low and didn’t throw a lot of pitches. My defense was outstanding today. Tony made a great catch to help me in the fourth. I was able to build off that and pitch to the best of my ability.”
For the snake-bitten, young Wildcats, they suffered another one-run loss, to their rivals from South. Last Thursday the Cougars outslugged the Wildcats 9-8, at Central.
Thus far Bodine has done the job again. Ricko’s gem, was the seventh shutout of the season for the Cougars. They have allowed just 23 runs in their 14 games this season. Eight of those, were scored by the Wildcats last week.
“I knew Trey was going to pitch well today,” Bodine said. “He came in relief against Central last week and gave up four runs. He was outstanding tonight. He pounded the strike zone. We did just enough to win another game. I told the kids, just keep doing what we are doing. I love coaching these kids. We are having a lot of fun.”
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
Highland Park 12, Maine East 2 (Five innings)
The Demons (5-9, 1-4) could only muster three hits and fell to Highland Park (8-7-1, 2-3)
CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH
Niles North 8 Maine South 2
Niles North (2-13, 1-4) blasted the Hawks (9-9, 3-3) on Tuesday. The Hawks had just five hits. Torre Cecala, picked up an RBI for the Hawks
Evanston 3 Niles West 2
The Wolves (5-5-1, 3-2) could only muster two hits on Tuesday at Jim Phipps Field. Myles Derbigny drove home a Wolves’ run while Kyle Robertson, was the hard-luck Wolves’ loser on the mound.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Joliet Catholic 15 St. Viator 11
The Hilltoppers (14-3, 6-0) rallied from a 10-4 deficit and swept away the Lions in a slugfest in Arlington Heights on Tuesday, behind Jared Cushing. Cushing led the 15-hit Hilltopper attack with four hits and four RBI. Tony Fleischauer, also drove home four Hilltopper runs, while Aidan Tyrell, chipped in with three hits and three RBI.
St. Viator (10-7, 2-4) scored 10 runs in the second inning and led 10-9 as the game entered the top of the seventh, when the Hilltoppers exploded for six runs, to make sure they had a very enjoyable 50-mile bus ride, back to Joliet.
Marist 9 Benet 7
The Redwings (9-7, 4-2) were outslugged by the Redhawks (13-5, 4-2) in Lisle on Tuesday. Redwing catcher Brandon Gorz, drove home a pair of Redwing runs, while Mike Wymer chipped in with three hits.
Notre Dame 7 MCC 3
The Dons (6-7, 2-3) swept away the Hurricanes behind Jackson Kaplowitz who had three hits. Tim Kelly and Kevin Pritt, both picked up a pair of ribbies for the Dons, while Kyle Schuster continued his hot-hitting, with two more hits and an RBI.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Downers Grove South 14 Leyden 3
The WSC Gold leading Mustangs (9-5, 5-1) hammered the Eagles, behind Nick Stacey. Stacey had three hits and drove home five big Mustang runs. Brett Riegler, drove home a pair of Mustang runs while Cam Crowley chipped in with one RBI.
WEST SUBURBAN SILVER
York 14 Downers Grove North 3
The Trojans (7-9, 6-4) were hammered again by the Dukes (12-4, 5-2) on Tuesday. Ian Cook singled, doubled a nd drove in two runs to lead the Trojan attack.
INTERSTATE 8 NORTH
Sandwich 6, Lisle 5
The Indians scored five runs in the second inning to hand the Lions (10-8, 4-2) a damaging I-8 North loss on Tuesday. Damien Guerrero continued his torrid hitting with three more hits. Cal Payne and Jay McGrath each drove home a pair of Lion runs while AJ Casmer, chipped in with two hits and an RBI.
Westmont 11 Plano 1
The Sentinels (9-8, 3-5) romped past Plano (3-17, 0-9), behind a five RBI day from Christian Alexander. Alex Marotta picked up three Sentinel ribbies while Mike Kokoszka, had a three-hit game and fired a one-hitter with seven strikeouts at the Reapers.
NONCONFERENCE
Providence 14 Romeoville 4
The Spartans (2-16) fell to Providence (10-7) at home on Tuesday