Downers Grove South downs Willowbrook

By Drake Skleba

DOWNERS GROVE - To say it has been a struggle for Downers Grove South (7-5, 2-1 so far this season would be an understatement. After being picked second in the state and knocking off the nation?s top team in Arizona, things haven?t gone so well for the Mustangs.

?Our pitching has been outstanding but we have been very inconsistent at the plate during our tough stretch,? said DGS head coach Darren Orel.

On Tuesday, in a West Suburban Gold battle with Willowbrook (7-4; 4-2), the Mustangs were outhit by the Warriors 9-5 but benefited from five errors that resulted in a 7-2 Mustang win. All seven Mustang runs were unearned.

DGS received a quality performance on the mound from 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior LHP Nick Vanek (2-1). Vanek scattered nine hits but allowed no earned runs. Vanek struck out four.

?I got ahead of a lot of hitters but I need to work on a few things,? said Vanek. ?This was a big win for us after the split with Willowbrook on Saturday. We want to win conference and I think we will be fine after a little bump in the road to start the season.?

Vanek helped himself with an RBI single in the third to give the Mustangs a 3-1 lead.

DGS broke the game open with a four-run fifth. Matt Wivinis doubled home his third RBI of the game in the inning. Mustang senior LF Andy Hietpas singled home a run with his second hit of the game.

?It was a good win for us today,? said Wivinis. ?Nick Vanek did a great job for us on the mound. When we hit and play solid defense we are tough to beat. I had to give us a spark and get those runs in for us early in the game.?

Willowbrook was led by sophomore leadoff man Dom Battaglia, who had two hits, and senior C Dan Fahlgren had two hits, including a double.

?Boys played well today,? said Orel. ?We played good defense and turned two big double-plays. ?Matt Wivinis had a great days at the plate for us. Nick Vanek is the high school equivalent to Mark Burhle; he will give up some hits. Nick was tough when he had to be and pitched a fine game for us.?