Red Raiders run out of juice

Huntley shortstop Matt Szytz forces Stevenson's Michael Martin out at second base during Saturday's 4A third-place game at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. (Travis Haughton - thaughton@nwherald.com)

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

JOLIET – Huntley’s tank finally hit ‘E’.

The Red Raiders, who had played such inspired, energetic baseball for three weeks, had nothing left in Saturday’s third-place game of the IHSA Class 4A State Tournament at Silver Cross Field.

Stevenson pitcher Kyle Ruchim and the thunderstorms in the Joliet area had something to do with it. So did the narrow loss to Chicago St. Rita on Friday night.

Ruchim threw three perfect innings at the Raiders, and Stevenson won, 5-0, in a three-inning game shortened by rain and thunder.

The IHSA, trying to prepare for the rainy weather, already had planned for five-inning third-place games so the Class 3A and 4A championships could be completed.

“We just had no intensity, no passion,” Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said. “It was a chore getting everybody motivated. It didn’t really hit me until we came down the hill to warm up and there were fireworks going off for [Class 3A champion] Chatham Glenwood. Our kids were thinking, ‘That could be us, too, playing in a championship and getting fireworks.’ ”

Huntley couldn’t touch Ruchim, who was hitting the high 80s on the speed gun and struck out four of the nine batters he faced.

Stevenson (35-4) hit the ball hard and scored five times in the first two innings.

Cleanup man Patrick Wilson ripped a two-run home run in the first off starter Jake Staab (5-2).

“We were at a peak and felt unstoppable,” Huntley shortstop Matt Szytz said. “Then we had a downer [a 7-6 loss to St. Rita]. We’re all proud to be on a team this good.”

Huntley (29-11) lost some huge contributors from last year’s team, including its top three pitchers, Tanner Funke, Zach Liebman and Craig Lipp, all of whom were Northwest Herald All-Area first-team selections.

The Raiders set their goal to advance farther in the postseason tournament than last year and became the sixth Fox Valley Conference team in four years to make it to state.

“I don’t like to see it end this way,” center fielder Chris Klein said. “We showed a good game against St. Rita and a lot of people didn’t think we’d do that.”

St. Rita’s roster is loaded with NCAA Division I players, and Huntley has several seniors headed to D-III, NAIA or junior college schools. Still, the Raiders nearly knocked off the mighty Mustangs in Friday’s semifinal.

“It was a great run,” catcher Phil Pupillo said. “I would not want to be on a team with anyone else than these guys. This isn’t the greatest feeling to end on, but it’s just a game.”

Jakubowski said the impact left will be indelible.

“Their legacy will always be cemented on a plaque on our wall,” Jakubowski said. “Some day they can show their grandchildren what they did.”

Class 4A championship: Bobby Czarnowski went 2 for 2 with two RBIs, and Ryan Walsh added two RBIs to help Naperville Central roll past St. Rita, 10-4, in the Class 4A championship game.

Shane Conlon gave up five hits in a complete game for Naperville (38-4).