By Drake Skleba

 

OSWEGO - In a battle between a pair of Southwest Prairie Conference contenders, Minooka (16-4; 6-1) defeated Oswego 5-2 at Jackie’s Field of Dreams on the campus of Oswego High School on Tuesday. Minooka sophomore left-hander Josh Jimenez pitched six quality innings to pick up the win and improve to 5-0 on the season.

 

Oswego (10-6; 4-3) senior right-hander Brett Baumgartner (CG 5R 7H 5ER 0K 5BB) pitched a complete-game for the Panthers and falls to 1-1 for ’10.

 

In a refreshing display of quality pitching and defense, the two clubs put on quite a show for the large crowd that showed up for this SWPC battle. Minooka scored a pair of runs in the first inning on a clutch two-run, two-out single by junior Sean Macko.

 

“I have been seeing the ball well lately,” said Macko. “I really hit a fastball hard to get us the lead in the first inning.”

 

Oswego answered, also after two outs, in the bottom of the first inning, when senior LF Ryan Prinzing doubled and senior third baseman Jordan Frieders tripled, scoring Prinzing and Oswego trailed 2-1.

 

In the Minooka second, SS Blaise Grebic (2-for-3, RBI, 2SB) singled home left fielder Adam Kruse (2-for-3, R) and the Indians once again had their two-run cushion.

 

“I was able to get a clutch hit yesterday versus Lincoln-Way Central, which really helped my confidence today,” said Grebic. “I hit the ball well today and played solid defense as well.”

 

Meanwhile Josh Jimenez was mowing down the Oswego hitters through the fourth inning.

 

“I didn’t have my best stuff today,” said Jimenez. “I missed some of my spots but my defense really helped me out. My breaking ball and change-up worked well for me. All five of my strikeouts came on breaking balls and changeups.”

 

In the fifth, Oswego closed to within 3-2 when senior centerfielder Cory Johnson (2-for-4, 2B, R) doubled and later would score on a Jimenez wild pitch. Recently, Johnson had a streak of reaching base 18 consecutive times, which included 11 hits and seven walks. The left-handed hitting Johnson, who’s hitting an astounding .700 for the season, missed tying the state record by one.

 

In the top of the seventh, Jimenez would receive a little help from his batterymate, catcher Niko Capodice. With two outs and senior CF Adam Ladzinski (1-for-3, R) and senior first baseman Mike Foltynewicz (2BB, 2R) on second and first, Capodice ripped a booming two-run double to give the Indians a 5-2 cushion.

 

“I went up to the plate knowing I had to get the ball to the outfield and get those runs in,” said Capodice. “I have really been struggling lately at the plate and it felt great to get the big hit to help us win this game.”

 

Minooka head coach Jeff Petrovic relieved Jimenez to start the seventh and brought in the Indian closer junior Spencer Lehmann. Lehmann responded and gave up a harmless bloop single in the bottom of the seventh and ended the game in style by striking out the last Panther hitter to make sure the bus ride back to Minooka would be a joyous one.

“We played very good baseball today,” said Petrovic. “Josh didn’t have his best stuff today but battled and got us the win. Sean Macko doesn’t get a lot of at-bats but has really performed well for us the last couple of games. Blaise has been the only player who has driven in runs for us during this slump. Blaise played outstanding defense today as well Niko came through with the big hit to give us some breathing room and Spencer has given us quality innings on the mound all season.”

 

Defensive gems were in abundance tonight. Grebic closed the fifth and sixth innings with great plays at short. Ladzinsky made a stupendous running catch to rob Frieders of extra bases and two Panther runs.

 

Oswego second baseman Vinnie Caringella saved the Panthers in the Minooka fourth with a Panther defensive gem, robbing Minooka junior Dakota Brown.

 

“We battled with Minooka all night,” said Oswego head coach Chris Neitzel. “We received everything we wanted from Brett Baumgartner tonight. Our defense has been our strength all season and we played well defensively again tonight. I am really looking forward to tomorrow. I believe we can match up with Minooka.”