Coach sees positive in summer season

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The Prairie Ridge boys baseball team came up short in its final game of the summer, but coach Glen Pecoraro saw a lot of positives in the team’s summer season.

The Wolves lost, 8-5, to Lincoln-Way North in the championship game at the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches’ Association Phil Lawler Summer Classic tournament on Friday.

The game began Thursday night, but was suspended in the top of the seventh inning after a lengthy lightning delay.

“The boys played unbelievable the last two weeks,” Pecoraro said, “and the way we played pitching-wise and defensively was the best I’ve seen since I’ve been at PR. This group of kids really loves playing the game.”

The score was tied at 5 and Lincoln-Way had a runner on first when play was suspended. When it resumed Friday afternoon, the Phoenix scored three runs, with a two-out, bases loaded single the big blow.

The Wolves finished the summer with a 38-21 record; four players were named to the all-tournament team.

Starting pitcher Ryan Harris, who held Neuqua Valley to one run in the Wolves 2-1 win against Neuqua Valley on Tuesday, reliever Tyler Tennant, who had two saves, first baseman Lucas Keller, who hit around .400 for the tournament, and center fielder Jordan Getzelman, who delivered some clutch two-out hits, each were all-tournament selections.

Pecoraro said the team, which will have 17 players with varsity experience returning, should be in a good position next season.

“This should propel us going into next spring,” Pecoraro said. “These guy should have a lot of confidence and use this loss as motivation for next spring.”