4A Super-Sectional: Rodriguez Powers Huntley Past Loyola

SCHAUMBURG, IL - The Huntley Red Raiders and Loyola Academy Ramblers met Monday afternoon at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium in the Class 4A Super-Sectional Final, with a ticket to the State Semifinals in Joliet on the line. Huntley built a 6-0 lead and then held on in the final pressure packed innings to win 8-4.

Eli Paplanus got the start for the Red Raiders and proceeded to send down the first 13 batters he faced, in order. On the other side, his offense went to work for gim. The Red Raiders got on the board in the very first inning, as DH Matt Rodriguez singled up the middle to score Jordan Goldstein (Dubuque commit), making it 1-0.

Huntley’s big inning came in the third. Goldstein led the inning off with a double, Kamrin Hoffmann (Benedictine commit) replaced him at second with an RBI double of his own. Perhaps the most memorable hit of the game followed. Rodriguez connect with one and sent a ball into deep right center field for what was certainly a double. But the senior did not stop at second, he barrelled around second base and thundered towards third, sliding in safely for an RBI triple. AJ Henkle would add another run on an opposite field single and then Jason Peters joined the doubles’ party, scoring Henkle. After the dust had settled, Huntly led Loyola 5-0 after three innings.

In the fourth inning it was Huntley making some noise once more. Already with a single and triple to his name, Rodriguez decided it was time to add a double to his tally. The designated hitter smoked a ball over the center fielder’s head, scoring Michael Talesky and extending the lead to 6-0.

The Rambler offense finally came alive in the fifth inning. Hitless for four and a third innings, Matt Raymond (Calvin College commit) finally notched the first hit of the game with a double down the left field line. Two batters later, Daniel Hrvojevic would bring Raymond around to score on a single, giving Loyola their first run of the game. The Ramblers proceeded to load the bases on a walk to nin- hitter Jonathan Mejia. This would end Paplanus’ night after 4.2 innings. Grant Yakimisky (Wisconsin-Oshkosh commit) came in to end the potential rally, but walked the first batter he faced, before getting a pop out.

The Ramblers had successfully cut the Red Raiders’ lead to four runs, but it did not stay like that for long. Henkle led the bottom half of the fifth off with a walk, advanced to second on a bunt by Zach Model before scoring on a throwing error. Just like that, Huntley pushed their lead back up to five.

With the offense having had their first run of success, Loyola wanted more. Jake Novak started the Ramblers off in the right direction with a lead off triple to center field in the sixth inning. Jason Vrbancic (University of Chicago commit) would work a walk, and that would be the end of Yakimisky’s night. First baseman Hunter Rumachik was called upon to finish out the game. Raymond and Will Jackson (St. Thomas commit) were unfazed by the southpaw, proceeding to smack consecutive run scoring singles, cutting the lead to 7-4.

Huntley needed an answer entering the bottom of the sixth. The momentum was changing and Loyola’s offense had finally found a rhythm. Jackson, now in his third inning of relief, got the first two outs in the inning with ease. All that stood between Loyola and another crack at the Huntley pitching staff was Matt Rodriguez. Rodriguez stood in the box with a calm, confident demeanor, and then hammered a ball over the left field fence for a solo home run, completing the cycle. The Red Raider faithful erupted in celebration as the senior trotted around the bases.

Rumachik returned for the seventh inning to face the meat of Loyola’s order: Henry Haracz, Novak, Vrbancic. He retired the side in order, and the Red Raiders punched their ticket to the State Semifinals and a matchup with Lake Park in Joliet.

Offensively, Huntley was led by Rodriguez, who went 4-for-4 with a double, triple, home run, four RBI and two runs. Goldstein, Hoffmann, and Peters added a double each while Henkle and Talesky contributed singles.

For Loyola, Raymond had a multi-hit day with a 2-for-3 performance that included a double and an RBI, Novak added a double in three at-bats.

Huntley will play Lake Park at 3:00 PM on Friday, June 8th at Route 66 Stadium in Joliet. The winner of that game moves on to the State Final on June 9th to face the winner of the other semifinal, Plainfield North and Sandburg.