Prochaska's masterpiece leads Wildcats past Providence for third place in WJOL/Ladas tournament

Masterpieces.

Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' or 'The Last Supper.'

Add Plainfield Central junior right-hander Carter Prochaska's three-hit shutout of the Providence Celtics in the third-place game of the 14th Annual WJOL/Don Ladas Memorial Baseball Tournament.

Carter's masterpiece may not be as lofty in status as Da Vinci's, but it was pretty darn good.

With a moving fastball and changing speeds effectively, the junior right-hander totally shut down the hard-hitting Celtics, leading Plainfield Central (4-1) to a 3-0 win. Sure, the Wildcats would have liked to take home the championship but all-in-all, they were very happy and proud to be winners of third place,

"To go to 2-1 against the quality teams in this tournament is quite an accomplishment by our kids," Plainfield Central coach John Rosner said. "Carter was simply outstanding today. Pounding the strike zone and to throw a three-hit shutout against Providence is incredible. To strike out nine and not walk one batter is something we really needed today,"

Prochaska (2-0) had his great stuff from the very outset, striking out the side in the Celtics first inning. In the top of the seventh, he still had his stuff, as evidenced by his two punch-outs to complete his masterpiece.

"I had all my pitches working for me today," Prochaska said. "My fastball had movement and I would pick up

strikeouts with my off-speed pitches. My defense was outstanding. It was my best outing of my Plainfield Central career."

After three and a half innings, Prochaska and Providence starting pitcher, junior Tyler Young, were locked in a scoreless pitchers duel.

After one out, Wildcat all-tournament selection Nate "Big Blast" Buchan got plunked by a Young fastball.

Sophomore Tanner Wagnon singled. Wildcat all-tournament selection, senior Leroy Jordan, ripped a booming double scoring Buchan with the first run of the game.

"We were struggling at the plate and I had to get us going," Jordan said. "It felt good to hit the ball hard for the RBI double to get us the lead. I am so happy to be named to the all-tournament team."

Junior Kenny Ospalik ripped an RBI single scoring Wagnon for a 2-0 'Cats lead. An RBI ground out from the 'Cats No. 9 hitter, senior Brandon Leidolph, scored Jordan for a 3-0 Plainfield Central lead.

"We would have liked to have won the tournament but we are happy with third place," Buchan said. "I'm a team guy and not into individual awards. I want to thank my teammates for my all-tournament selection."

"We played well and our only loss in the tournament, came against one of the best pitchers in the state (Minooka's Kyle Walter)" Rosner added. "I am very proud of our team and what we have accomplished so far this season."