By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
On Tuesday, April 18, in both schools’ Southwest Suburban Blue conference opener, Bolingbrook closer, Dylan Murillo, nailed down his fourth save of 2017, to finish a 7-6 Raiders’ victory. Lockport had scored four times in the top of the seventh, to pull within one at 7-6. With the tying and lead runs on base, Murillo induced a pair of infield pop-ups, to preserve the win, for Raider senior right-hander Jake Anderson, who improved to 4-0 for the season.
On Thursday April 20, at historic Ed Flink Field in Lockport, revenge was on the minds of the Porters.
Bolingbrook (9-6, 1-1), struck first on an RBI single from University of Illinois-bound Jerimiah LeBron, for a quick 1-0 Raider lead, in the top of the first.
Lockport (7-7, 1-1) answered with four runs, three unearned, as three Raider miscues hurt. Lockport junior CJ Weins, two-out, two RBI single, gave the Porters a 4-1 lead after one inning.
In the bottom of the third, Weins, would once again perform some “2-out magic” for the Porters.
With one out Connor Fitzgerald ( 2-for-3, 2B, RBI), singled. With two outs, Weins, would launch his first home run of the season, soaring over the right -field fence, for a 6-1 Porter lead.
“We came out with great energy, after the heart-breaking loss on Tuesday,” Weins said. “I, as we all did, came out with a lot of energy, which produced my big day at the plate.”
The Porters would add four-runs in the fourth, highlighted by RBI doubles from Ryne Travis, Jimmy Heintz and Fitzgerald, to increase their lead to 10-1 The Porters would initiate the 10-run rule, scoring their 11th run of the game on a wild pitch, in the bottom of the fifth, for an 11-1 victory.
Davis, would finish up with a five-hit, complete-game performance, to improve to 2-1 on the season.
“We came out with a lot of energy today and the four-runs in the first inning really helped me on the mound, “Davis said. “I pitched well and my curve ball was my best pitch. I didn’t have my normal velocity on my fastball, tonight.”
Nick Strysik, chipped in with two hits, including a double and an RBI, for the Porters.
“I’m very proud of the way we played,” Lockport head coach Andy Satunas said. “We played well in all facets of the game and to get the split against a very good Bolingbrook team, is commendable. CJ (Weins), is our talented junior, who had been struggling at the plate. It was great to see CJ hit the ball hard all day. Also, I thought Ben Davis, was outstanding on the mound for us.”
Malik Binns and Cam Falk, both went 1-for-2 for the Raiders.
We have to give credit to a very good Lockport team, for putting pressure on our defense today,” Bolingbrook head coach Scott Thyer said. “Also credit goes to Lockport’s Ben Davis, for shutting down our bats. Next Tuesday,we look forward to returning to SWSC-Blue play versus Stagg, with hopes of playing better and being successful.”