By Drake Skleba

WESTERN SPRINGS – After getting swept in a doubleheader Saturday night to conference rival Lyons Township, Oak Park-River Forest swore things would be different Tuesday. With a renewed sense of purpose and backed by a stellar pitching performance by senior Scott Rasley, the Huskies ended Lyons’ 10-game win streak with a 6-2 victory in West Suburban Silver play.

Oak Park (18-7; 12-3) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Sam Picchiotti and Mike Locasto (1-for-2; 2 BB) singled to get the Huskies set up. Lyons starting pitcher Brian Lehman (1-2) recorded a strike out before plunking Joe Kelty to load the bases. JoJo Maldonado (2-for-4; 2B; 2RBI) delivered a two-run single to stake Rasley (4-2) to an early lead.

“I was very pleased with the way we came out to play, tonight, “said OPRF Head Coach Chris Ledbetter. “For some reason we just didn’t play with any fire in the first game Saturday. Scott (Rasley) was outstanding. He pitched a great game. Now if we can win our final series of the year with Downers Grove North we will be champions of the West Suburban Silver Conference.”

Lyons (17-7; 10-4) picked up a run in the second inning on an errant Oak Park throw. Brian Trefil hit the first pitch of the third inning over the right field fence and this showdown was tied at 2. Ryan McMillin (2-for-4) hammered a double and you could feel the momementum heading the way of the red-hot Lions.

Rasley would not allow Lyons to go any further.

Oak Park would pick up a pair of runs in the fifth. After two outs, the Huskies received three consecutive singles from Maldonado, Kyle Glancy and Andy Brashler (2-for-3; 2B; RBI).Glancy and Brashler were of the swinging bunt variety. Brashler’s superb handling of the bat scored Maldonado with the lead run. Max Edwards lined the fourth straight hit to left and the Huskies led 4-2 after five.

Oak Park put the game away with a two-spot in the sixth on Joe Kelty’s two-run single, scoring Picchiotti (2-for-4; 2 SB) and Locasto, who had reached on a single. Rasley finished off the Lions in the sixth and seventh to close out the win.

“We battled tonight and we picked up a big win,”said Rasley. “I hit my spots all night and had great control of my curveball. I think I had a pretty good performance.”

“We had timely hitting and we played with a lot more emotion today,” said Maldonado. “Coach Ledbetter made a slight adjustment in my swing and it really helped me tonight.”

“Well we have four games left and if we can take care of our business we can maybe get a share of the WSC Silver,” said Lyons coach George Ushela.

NOTES: It was great to see Chas Straface at the game. Chas is the Lyons senior who was hit in the face while trying to sacrifice in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader. Chas had oral surgery Saturday night at Loyola University Hospital. Chas said he was feeling OK and should have a complete recovery.

NOTES: 2006 &2007 PBR All-Stater Casey McMurray was in attendance today. Casey of course is a 2007 graduate of Lyons Township. Casey is currently a member of the 2008 University of Illinois Fighting Illini.

Casey is currently hitting .331 with 21 RBI for the 28-18 Illini.Casey won a Big Ten Player of the Week Award for his all out offensive assault on the Penn State Nittany Lions. Casey hit .733 for the week. The Illini are 13-10 in Big Ten action. Casey said his first year in Champaign was a blast. School is over and he is home until May 9 when the Illini take on Ohio State. The Illini are third behind Purdue and nationally ranked Michigan.