By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

HINSDALE, IL – Sandwiched around its tough Chicago Catholic League schedule, De La Salle threw Johnny Wholestaff at Hinsdale Central to pull out a 4-2 nonconference victory.

Depleted of pitching, De La Salle coach Mark Higgins shuffled six different pitchers at Hinsdale Central (13-11). And all of the pitchers benefited from an error-free defense that also turned three double plays. The De La Salle (14-11) staff needed the defense, too, as the six pitchers combined for only three strikeouts, but none bigger than Tom Duddleston’s punchout to end the game with runners on second and third on a 3-2 fastball against Hinsdale Central’s No. 4 hitter.

Duddleston, a junior who’s primarily known for his defensive prowess at shortstop, turned two double plays and also made a spectacular backhand play deep in the hole and delivered a jumping Derek Jeter-like throw that robbed Kevin Shranz of a hit to end the fifth inning.

De La Salle got on the board in the second inning on left-handed hitting sophomore outfielder Isidro DeSantiago’s RBI double to right field. The Meteors proceeded to add three more runs in the third inning to mount a 4-0 advantage. Senior centerfielder Jalen Davis led off the inning with a sharp single up the middle, and eventually scored on Joe Gazzi’s fielder’s choice. On the play, Duddleston, who had walked, scored on an error by the catcher. Senior second baseman Robert Zebrauskas added a RBI single to cap the scoring.

Zebrauskas, a left-handed hitting North Central recruit, finished 2-for-2 with a walk and run scored. Davis added a hit, walk, run and stolen base for the Meteors.

Hinsdale Central senior centerfielder Chris Botsoe paced the Red Devils, going 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, and three stolen bases. The Louisville recruit drove in the Red Devils’ first run in the third inning on a sharp single past the third baseman.  

More in-depth scouting notes will be added to the Illinois Scout Blog later.