L-W East makes quick work of Porters in 1st of 2 SWSC Blue showdowns

In the first of two Southwest Suburban Conference Blue Division showdowns between the SWSC Blue first place Lincoln-Way East Griffins (19-2, 3-0) and the second place Lockport Porters (13-9, 2-2), Griffins won 12-2 in five innings.

After Griffins starting, and winning, left-handed pitcher Joey Bolton (8-0) set the Porters down 1-2-3 in the top of the first, the Griffins bats went to work against Porters junior starting pitcher David Zaragoza.

L-W East scored five runs, highlighted by a three-run homer by Griffins third baseman Maxton Porda.

Porter junior right-hander Kyle Kevish entered the game and get the last out of the bottom of the first inning.

The never-say-die Porters would rally immediately in the top of the second inning.

Porters junior DH Matt Merk crushed a one out double and scored on a clutch two out RBI single from sophomore Anthony Martinez. Senior Ricky Pospisil followed with another clutch two-out RBI single to pull the Porters within 5-2. A base running mistake occurred on the RBI single ending the inning.

"I am so proud of the way Anthony (Martinez) and Ricky (Pospisil) battled at the plate to get us back in the game," Lockport coach Andy Satunas said. "The base-running mistake hurt because you can't make mistakes like that against great teams like Lincoln-Way East and win."

Kevish slammed the door on the Griffins in the bottom of the second and with one out in the Griffin third, turned to his centerfielder Pospisil.

Griffins left fielder Laden Looper, ripped a shot that appeared to be hitting the gap in left center, for at least a double. Not so fast.

Getting a tremendous jump on the ball, Pospisil raced toward the sinking liner and dove and made a sensational catch for the second out of the inning. Kevish held the Griffins scoreless in the third before tiring in the bottom of the fourth.

"I was able to get a great jump on the ball and make the catch," Pospisil said.

Lincoln-Way East scored four times in the fourth knocking out Kevish and bringing in Porter senior Riley Pfeiffer to extend their lead to 9-2.

In the L-W East bottom of the fifth, after consecutive Porter miscues put two Griffins on with one out, Lincoln-Way East's Matt Michael's ended the game.

Michael's mammoth three-run shot over the left field fence initiating the 10-run rule to end of the game, 12-2.

"We have to come back and play better baseball on Monday," Pospisil said. "The base running mistake that took us out of the second inning, is something we will learn from. That's baseball. Make a mistake and learn from it and do not make the same mistake again."

"Today reminds me of one of my favorite old country-and-western songs," Satunas concluded. "When it rains — it pours."