Dekalb Crashes Into 3A Title Game
Sisler, Gordon Knocked Out During 6-1 Semifinal Win Over Marian ...
| Northern Illinois Sports Beat http://www.northernillinoissportsbeat.com |
At Silver Cross Field (6/12/10)
Joliet
Class 3A State Semifinal
Dekalb 6, Woodstock Marian 1
MCC (1) – Zubrzycki 2b 1-1-0-0,
Franzegrote cf 4-0-4-0, Mass
pr/cf 0-0-0-0, McGuire ss 3-0-0-1,
Parr p 2-0-1-0, Balduf pr/lf 1-0-0-
0, Wagner p 1-0-0-0, Stone dh 3-0-
1-0, Steiger 3b 3-0-1-0, Kosar rf 2-
0-0-0, Taylor rf 1-0-0-0, Luczak 1b
2-0-0-0, Ennis 1b 1-0-0-0,
DiPeitro lf 2-0-0-0, Maxiener c 0-
0-0-0. Totals 26-1-7-1.
Dekalb (6) – Sisler ss 0-0-0-0,
Sopko 2b 3-1-1-0, Sullivan 2b/ss
3-0-1-0, Lemay c/p 3-1-1-1,
Dallesasse 3b/c 2-0-1-1, Diedrich
pr 0-1-0-0, Gordon lf 0-0-0-0,
Gosnell 3b 3-1-1-1, Petras cf 3-1-
1-1, Jouris 1b 3-0-0-0, Hayes dh
2-0-0-0, Varga p/lf 2-1-0-0,
Burdick rf 0-0-0-0. Totals 24-6-6-4.
Marian 100 000 0 – 1 7 4
Dekalb 302 100 x – 6 6 0
LOB – MCC 8; Dekalb 6. 2B –
Dallesasse. 3B – Steiger. SB –
Zubrzycki, Balduf. SAC – Varga.
SF – McGuire. HBP – Sopko (by
Parr), Dallesasse (by Parr).
Marian ip r er h bb k
Parr (L, 12-3) 3.2 6 3 5 3 3
Wagner 2.1 0 0 1 0 4
Dekalb
Varga 0.2 1 1 1 1 0
Lemay (W, 4-5) 6.1 0 0 6 2 8
Records: DeKalb 27-10, Marian
27-10.
Joliet
Class 3A State Semifinal
Dekalb 6, Woodstock Marian 1
MCC (1) – Zubrzycki 2b 1-1-0-0,
Franzegrote cf 4-0-4-0, Mass
pr/cf 0-0-0-0, McGuire ss 3-0-0-1,
Parr p 2-0-1-0, Balduf pr/lf 1-0-0-
0, Wagner p 1-0-0-0, Stone dh 3-0-
1-0, Steiger 3b 3-0-1-0, Kosar rf 2-
0-0-0, Taylor rf 1-0-0-0, Luczak 1b
2-0-0-0, Ennis 1b 1-0-0-0,
DiPeitro lf 2-0-0-0, Maxiener c 0-
0-0-0. Totals 26-1-7-1.
Dekalb (6) – Sisler ss 0-0-0-0,
Sopko 2b 3-1-1-0, Sullivan 2b/ss
3-0-1-0, Lemay c/p 3-1-1-1,
Dallesasse 3b/c 2-0-1-1, Diedrich
pr 0-1-0-0, Gordon lf 0-0-0-0,
Gosnell 3b 3-1-1-1, Petras cf 3-1-
1-1, Jouris 1b 3-0-0-0, Hayes dh
2-0-0-0, Varga p/lf 2-1-0-0,
Burdick rf 0-0-0-0. Totals 24-6-6-4.
Marian 100 000 0 – 1 7 4
Dekalb 302 100 x – 6 6 0
LOB – MCC 8; Dekalb 6. 2B –
Dallesasse. 3B – Steiger. SB –
Zubrzycki, Balduf. SAC – Varga.
SF – McGuire. HBP – Sopko (by
Parr), Dallesasse (by Parr).
Marian ip r er h bb k
Parr (L, 12-3) 3.2 6 3 5 3 3
Wagner 2.1 0 0 1 0 4
Dekalb
Varga 0.2 1 1 1 1 0
Lemay (W, 4-5) 6.1 0 0 6 2 8
Records: DeKalb 27-10, Marian
27-10.
By Bill Lidinsky
Northern Illinois Sports Beat Contributor
JOLIET – With runners on first and third and nobody out during the visitors half of the
opening inning on Friday, Dekalb starting pitcher Cody Varga already had himself in a
tough jam against Woodstock Marian.
What would soon follow during the second of the Class 3A semifinals at Silver Cross Field
in Joliet was something quite scary to say the least. But in the end, the Barbs survived a
frightening, full-speed collision between shortstop Brian Sisler and left fielder Jake Gordon
to come away with a 6-1 victory and advance to the Class 3A championship on Saturday
against Chatham Glenwood, a 17-5 five-inning winner during the day’s first semifinal
contest.
In the opening frame, Varga walked Steve Zubrzycki to start the ballgame. Scott
Franzegrote then singled Zubrzycki to third and Marian looked to be in business with
nobody out and two on. Eli McGuire followed by popping Varga’s first pitch into left. Sisler
and Gordon were both in a full-out sprint for the ball. Sisler amazingly made the catch but
collided hard with Gordon. Both players fell to the ground in what seemed to be extreme
pain while Zubrzycki tagged up from third and Franzegrote did as well from first to score
an apparent two runs for the Hurricanes as a result of the horrifying smash up. After a
tense 20 minute delay as Sisler and Gordon were tended to, each was taken off the field
by stretcher and transported to a local hospital.
“Brian (Sisler) has been released from the hospital. He received 14 stitches in his ear. He
does have a concussion and the doctors recommended he be bedridden until Tuesday,”
said Dekalb coach Justin Keck after the game. “Jake Gordon our left fielder obviously has
a concussion also. We just don’t know to what extent or how severe right now. It was
devastating. For two guys to go out like that was just a devastating play. I brought the
team together and came up with the best substitutions we thought would work. Obviously
it paid off big time because we rallied back after an event that could have gotten us down,
but it didn’t.”
The Barbs first order of business after Sisler and Gordon were removed from the field was
to change pitchers and make some position switches. Jake Lemay came in to pitch after
starting the game at catcher. Varga left the mound and went to left to replace Gordon.
Kevin Sullivan moved from second to short in place of Sisler, while Ben Dallesasse went
behind the plate from third in lieu of Lemay. Sophomore Trenton Sopko then came off the
bench to play second as did fellow soph Tyler Gosnell to play third. Quite a big lineup
change for Keck only three batters into the contest.
“We were kind of in a “Catch 22”, so we were trying to figure out what would be the best
lineup now both offensively and defensively with two starters out of the game,” Keck said.
“Initially we wanted Cody to get us through three or four innings. Obviously the injuries
didn’t allow that to happen. But Jake did a great job coming in and stepping up as did
everybody.”
Lemay’s first order of business was to surprise Marian by appealing to second base
where Dekalb felt Franzegrote had missed second base after the tag up from first during
his zeal to get to home plate with Sisler and Gordon on the ground. The umpires agreed
and Franzegrote was ruled out. The Hurricanes lead went from 2-0 back to 1-0 before
Lemay even threw a pitch.
“That gave me another out so all I had to do was to get one more in the inning,” Lemay
said. “The fact that we were now only down by one instead of two made me know that we
were still right in it after just a real bad start with the injuries.”
The unfortunate beginning only seemed to inspire the Barbs in their half of the first as
they capitalized on three Hurricane errors to score three runs and bounce right back from
adversity.
Sopko now in the lead off spot for Sisler opened with an infield single off Marian starter
Dave Parr. One out later, Sopko moved to second on a past ball and scored on Lemay’s
single to left. Lemay then advanced to second on another passed ball and on the same
play moved to third on an error by the Hurricanes catcher. Gosnell then singled down the
right field line to drive home Lemay and tallied himself after two more consecutive Marian
miscues as Dekalb led 3-1 after one.
For sophomores Sopko and Gosnell their entrance into the ballgame was their first varsity
experience after being called up three weeks ago. Each registered a hit and a key run
scored with their first varsity at bat during the most trying of circumstances in the Barbs
biggest game of the year.
“We’ve had to call on different people at different times to do different things. They
(Sopko and Gosnell) were able to step up big time today,” Keck said. “We brought those
two up for a reason, more for the experience than thinking they were going to step into a
state semifinal playoff game. They’ve been around the team for three weeks now and
were able to step in today and understand that everybody playing behind them was
supporting them one hundred percent.”
After a 36-minute rain delay, two more Dekalb runs would follow in the bottom of the third
as Frank Petras singled and drove home courtesy runner Nate Diedrich who was in for
Dallesasse after a lead off double.
On the same play, Petras attempted to move to second on the throw to the plate, but the
Hurricanes cut off the toss.
They then tried to get Petras at second, but the throw sailed into right centerfield and
Petras rambled home on the fourth Marian error to make the score 5-1.
Dekalb (27-10) would chase Parr in the fourth as he issued three walks to load the bases.
He then hit Dallesasse to bring home Varga from third and the Barbs were in command.
It was in big part due to Lemay’s mastery on the mound from the second inning through
the seventh. During that span, he limited the Hurricanes to no runs on five hits, while
striking out eight and walking only two. Lemay (4-5) picked up the all important semifinal
victory after one of the most improbable and unusual relief stints. Parr (12-3) took the loss
for MCC. The Hurricanes (27-10) will take on Joliet Catholic (22-15) Saturday June 12 for
3A third place hardware. Game time is set for 10 a.m.
“The kid (Lemay) they put out there to pitch after the big collision did a very good job. He
threw strikes and I think today it was a combination of us being a little anxious and him
doing a nice job,” said Marian coach Gregg Wikierak. “We just couldn’t come through
even after they lost two starters. They made some good defensive plays and we left too
many runners on base (eight). Add to that four errors and you get a 6-1 final score in
their favor.”
Dallesasse (11-1) will get the start on Saturday for Dekalb against Glenwood (31-4). The
Titans are currently riding a 13-game winning streak. But the way the Barbs are playing
with an eight-game run of their own, who knows what could be next?
As improbable a win seemed after Sisler and Gordon left the field early Friday on
gurneys, so too is a date with the powerful Titans Saturday for the 3A crown without the
two injured starters in the lineup once gain. But don’t tell that to Justin Keck.
“We know they can hit the ball. But obviously we have a ton of confidence in Ben. If he’s
on and can hit his spots, he can help us big time,” Keck said. “I think they’re going to be a
solid opponent. But hopefully we can play our best game, If not, hopefully we can play as
good as we’re capable of and see how it all falls out. That will be our attitude.”
Bill Lidinsky is a Northern Illinois Sports Beat contributor. He can be reached in care of
NISB at Northernillinoissportsbeat@yahoo.com. --- Talk about what's written on our
Message Boards!
Northern Illinois Sports Beat Contributor
JOLIET – With runners on first and third and nobody out during the visitors half of the
opening inning on Friday, Dekalb starting pitcher Cody Varga already had himself in a
tough jam against Woodstock Marian.
What would soon follow during the second of the Class 3A semifinals at Silver Cross Field
in Joliet was something quite scary to say the least. But in the end, the Barbs survived a
frightening, full-speed collision between shortstop Brian Sisler and left fielder Jake Gordon
to come away with a 6-1 victory and advance to the Class 3A championship on Saturday
against Chatham Glenwood, a 17-5 five-inning winner during the day’s first semifinal
contest.
In the opening frame, Varga walked Steve Zubrzycki to start the ballgame. Scott
Franzegrote then singled Zubrzycki to third and Marian looked to be in business with
nobody out and two on. Eli McGuire followed by popping Varga’s first pitch into left. Sisler
and Gordon were both in a full-out sprint for the ball. Sisler amazingly made the catch but
collided hard with Gordon. Both players fell to the ground in what seemed to be extreme
pain while Zubrzycki tagged up from third and Franzegrote did as well from first to score
an apparent two runs for the Hurricanes as a result of the horrifying smash up. After a
tense 20 minute delay as Sisler and Gordon were tended to, each was taken off the field
by stretcher and transported to a local hospital.
“Brian (Sisler) has been released from the hospital. He received 14 stitches in his ear. He
does have a concussion and the doctors recommended he be bedridden until Tuesday,”
said Dekalb coach Justin Keck after the game. “Jake Gordon our left fielder obviously has
a concussion also. We just don’t know to what extent or how severe right now. It was
devastating. For two guys to go out like that was just a devastating play. I brought the
team together and came up with the best substitutions we thought would work. Obviously
it paid off big time because we rallied back after an event that could have gotten us down,
but it didn’t.”
The Barbs first order of business after Sisler and Gordon were removed from the field was
to change pitchers and make some position switches. Jake Lemay came in to pitch after
starting the game at catcher. Varga left the mound and went to left to replace Gordon.
Kevin Sullivan moved from second to short in place of Sisler, while Ben Dallesasse went
behind the plate from third in lieu of Lemay. Sophomore Trenton Sopko then came off the
bench to play second as did fellow soph Tyler Gosnell to play third. Quite a big lineup
change for Keck only three batters into the contest.
“We were kind of in a “Catch 22”, so we were trying to figure out what would be the best
lineup now both offensively and defensively with two starters out of the game,” Keck said.
“Initially we wanted Cody to get us through three or four innings. Obviously the injuries
didn’t allow that to happen. But Jake did a great job coming in and stepping up as did
everybody.”
Lemay’s first order of business was to surprise Marian by appealing to second base
where Dekalb felt Franzegrote had missed second base after the tag up from first during
his zeal to get to home plate with Sisler and Gordon on the ground. The umpires agreed
and Franzegrote was ruled out. The Hurricanes lead went from 2-0 back to 1-0 before
Lemay even threw a pitch.
“That gave me another out so all I had to do was to get one more in the inning,” Lemay
said. “The fact that we were now only down by one instead of two made me know that we
were still right in it after just a real bad start with the injuries.”
The unfortunate beginning only seemed to inspire the Barbs in their half of the first as
they capitalized on three Hurricane errors to score three runs and bounce right back from
adversity.
Sopko now in the lead off spot for Sisler opened with an infield single off Marian starter
Dave Parr. One out later, Sopko moved to second on a past ball and scored on Lemay’s
single to left. Lemay then advanced to second on another passed ball and on the same
play moved to third on an error by the Hurricanes catcher. Gosnell then singled down the
right field line to drive home Lemay and tallied himself after two more consecutive Marian
miscues as Dekalb led 3-1 after one.
For sophomores Sopko and Gosnell their entrance into the ballgame was their first varsity
experience after being called up three weeks ago. Each registered a hit and a key run
scored with their first varsity at bat during the most trying of circumstances in the Barbs
biggest game of the year.
“We’ve had to call on different people at different times to do different things. They
(Sopko and Gosnell) were able to step up big time today,” Keck said. “We brought those
two up for a reason, more for the experience than thinking they were going to step into a
state semifinal playoff game. They’ve been around the team for three weeks now and
were able to step in today and understand that everybody playing behind them was
supporting them one hundred percent.”
After a 36-minute rain delay, two more Dekalb runs would follow in the bottom of the third
as Frank Petras singled and drove home courtesy runner Nate Diedrich who was in for
Dallesasse after a lead off double.
On the same play, Petras attempted to move to second on the throw to the plate, but the
Hurricanes cut off the toss.
They then tried to get Petras at second, but the throw sailed into right centerfield and
Petras rambled home on the fourth Marian error to make the score 5-1.
Dekalb (27-10) would chase Parr in the fourth as he issued three walks to load the bases.
He then hit Dallesasse to bring home Varga from third and the Barbs were in command.
It was in big part due to Lemay’s mastery on the mound from the second inning through
the seventh. During that span, he limited the Hurricanes to no runs on five hits, while
striking out eight and walking only two. Lemay (4-5) picked up the all important semifinal
victory after one of the most improbable and unusual relief stints. Parr (12-3) took the loss
for MCC. The Hurricanes (27-10) will take on Joliet Catholic (22-15) Saturday June 12 for
3A third place hardware. Game time is set for 10 a.m.
“The kid (Lemay) they put out there to pitch after the big collision did a very good job. He
threw strikes and I think today it was a combination of us being a little anxious and him
doing a nice job,” said Marian coach Gregg Wikierak. “We just couldn’t come through
even after they lost two starters. They made some good defensive plays and we left too
many runners on base (eight). Add to that four errors and you get a 6-1 final score in
their favor.”
Dallesasse (11-1) will get the start on Saturday for Dekalb against Glenwood (31-4). The
Titans are currently riding a 13-game winning streak. But the way the Barbs are playing
with an eight-game run of their own, who knows what could be next?
As improbable a win seemed after Sisler and Gordon left the field early Friday on
gurneys, so too is a date with the powerful Titans Saturday for the 3A crown without the
two injured starters in the lineup once gain. But don’t tell that to Justin Keck.
“We know they can hit the ball. But obviously we have a ton of confidence in Ben. If he’s
on and can hit his spots, he can help us big time,” Keck said. “I think they’re going to be a
solid opponent. But hopefully we can play our best game, If not, hopefully we can play as
good as we’re capable of and see how it all falls out. That will be our attitude.”
Bill Lidinsky is a Northern Illinois Sports Beat contributor. He can be reached in care of
NISB at Northernillinoissportsbeat@yahoo.com. --- Talk about what's written on our
Message Boards!
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