By Drake Skleba

 

DOWNERS GROVE – Led by their junior battery of right-handed pitcher John Dillon and catcher Nick Tenerelli, No. 5 Downers Grove South scored three runs in the fourth inning and went on to defeat No. 41 Lockport 5-3 on Monday. The three-run outburst erased a 2-0 Lockport lead, as the Mustangs rolled to their fourth win in five games.

 

With two on and two out in the fourth inning, Tenerelli nailed an 0-2 pitch for a game-tying double to left, scoring senior Dan Walsh (0-for-2, BB, R) and junior Matt Wivinis (1-for-2, BB, 2R), both of whom had walked, with the tying runs.

 

“I let a good pitch get by on 0-1,” said Tenerelli. “It was great to hit the 0-2 pitch for the game-tying double. It really picked up the whole team. We beat a good team in Lockport today.”

 

Courtesy-runner Kevin Strelak moved to third on a single by junior Nick Radenkovich (1-for-3, RBI). With senior right fielder Jake Rone (1-for-2, BB) at the plate, Strelak scored the lead run on a wild pitch to give the Mustangs the lead they would never relinquish.

 

Meanwhile, Dillon was dealing for the Mustangs. The crafty junior threw an 80-pitch complete-game gem for DGS. Dillon allowed four hits and two earned runs. Dillon did not walk a batter and struck out four. Dillon (1-0) earned his first win of the season. He picked up a save over the weekend.

 

“My control was very good today,” said Dillon. “My fastball was my best pitch but my change-up really kept them off-balance. My defense played great like they always do. Nick (Tenerelli) got the big hit for us.”

 

Lockport (1-1) grabbed a quick 2-0 lead with single tallies in the first and second innings. Junior right fielder Connor Petschkes’ (1-for-2, RBI) sac-fly scored leadoff man John Kosmowski with the first run of the game.

 

Junior first baseman Matt Hines (1-for-2, 3B, HBP) tripled in the second Porter run in the top of the second for the early 2-0 lead.

 

The Porters received an outstanding pitching performance from starting pitcher Jake Bulthuis. The 6-foot-1 190-pound junior right-hander handcuffed the Mustangs, allowing one hit through the first three innings. Bulthuis fanned four and walked none.

 

“We knew before the game that Jake was only going to pitch three innings,” said Lockport head coach Steve Stanicek. “Jake was outstanding today. We did some good things today against a very good team. I am really optimistic about our young team. I think we will continue to improve as the season progresses.”

 

Lockport junior right-handed pitcher Bobby Wilmsen (0-1) suffered the defeat in relief.

 

Downers Grove South (4-1) added a pair of runs in the sixth. Senior Pat Korienek (1-for-3, R) and Wivinis singled to lead off the frame and would score the final Mustang runs.

 

Lockport junior catcher, Brenden Dunleavy (1-for-3, R) and senior DH Josh Johnson (1-for-3, RBI) singled in the seventh, with Johnson’s being a run-producer, for the final Porter tally.

 

“This was a good win over a quality team,” said Downers Grove South head coach Darren Orel.  “John (Dillon) pitched well for us and Nick (Tenerelli) had the big hit.”