By Drake Skleba

FRANKFORT - Starting late and finishing late was the name of the game Monday. The Southwest Suburban Conference-Red Division showdown between Bradley-Bourbonnais (14-6; 8-3) and Lincoln-Way East (14-6; 5-4) was scheduled to begin at 4:30.

A lone dark cloud hung over Frankfort and triggered not once but twice the emergency weather sirens. A light rain fell but a mandatory hour wait was needed due to the sirens. The game started late and the Boilermakers followed suit for a thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 victory, solidifying their grip of first place in the SWC-Red.

Bradley picked up an unearned run in the second to take a 1-0 lead. Lincoln-Way East roared back for four runs against winning pitcher Devin Reese (5-2). Three of the runs were unearned. Juniors Brandon Hohl (2-for-3; RBI) and Spencer Stanek (2-for-2; RBI) had RBI singles for the Griffins. A beautiful bunt single by Lloyd Burchett (1-for-3; RBI) with the bases loaded drove in the fourth and final run for the Griffins.

Lincoln-Way East starting pitcher Josh Folgers (6 IP; 3R; 3H; 1ER) held the Boilermaker bats in check through five. Bradley-Bourbonnais picked up another unearned run in the sixth to close within 4-2. Reese (CG; 4R; 8H; 1ER; 8K; 4BB) was the consummate warrior for Bradley. Reese pitched out of jams in the fourth and fifth and allowed a one out single in the sixth.

Folgers hit Austin Johnson to leadoff the Boilermaker seventh. Lincoln-Way East coach Paul Babcock summoned closer Brian Russell (signed at Davidson) to finish the game. Nick Jones (1-for-2; 2B) greeted Russell (2-2) with a tee shot beyond first base for a double. After one out, Boilermaker coach Kevin Arthur went to his bench for senior Stuart Sutton. Sutton delivered a clutch single to center scoring Johnson and Jones, tying the game at 4.

“I was very happy that they took the lefty out,” said Sutton. “I have struggled against left-handed pitchers all year. I concentrated on getting the ball in play and hit it up the middle.”

Reese was hit by a pitch and after the second out was recorded Tim Gordon legged out an infield hit to load the bases. Senior catcher Nate Reid (1-for-2; 2RBI) was hit by a pitch to force home the game-winner.

“I owe the hit by pitch to coach Arthur, said Reid. “ Coach motioned for me to take one for the team and I did. This was a great win for us. We really battled today.”

Reese went out and gave up a two out single to the Griffins but retired the last Griffin on a roller to second and the Boilers completed the huge two game sweep of LW East. Bradley-Bourbonnais defeated LW East last Thursday 8-4 at BBCHS.

 “We battled all game. We wanted to win this game to show we are the toughest team in the conference,” said Reese. “I didn’t have my best stuff today, but I battled through those last three innings to pick up the win”

“This was a big game for us. We had a bad second inning and got through it,” said Arthur. “Stuart (Sutton) made me look like a genius with his clutch pinch hit. Devin (Reese) battled on the mound to pick up the win. Our catcher Nate Reid followed my advice and took one for the team. If Nate Reid doesn’t make All-State this year, something is wrong.”