Ranieri drives in six runs in Warriors’ win against Glenbard South.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The Willowbrook baseball team had a fruitful first week of action.
The Warriors opened the season with non-conference wins against Naperville North, Glenbard South and Schaumburg.
In a 6-2 non-conference win against Naperville North, the Warriors overcame a 2-1 first-inning deficit by scoring two runs in the fourth and three in the sixth inning.
Jon Kelso went 2-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI. Trevor Jaloszynski went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Jack Hines had a hit and two RBI. Jaloszynski had two doubles, while Kelso also had a double.
Alec Michaelson was the winning pitcher. He went four innings and allowed three hits and one earned run, while striking out seven. Vince Ruchala pitched two innings of hitless ball and Will Hines pitched the seventh and fanned two to earn the save.
In a 13-0 win in five innings against Glenbard South in non-conference play, Willowbrook led 11-0 after three innings. The Warriors pounded out 12 hits in the abbreviated contest.
Kelso went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and an RBI. Kyle Ferguson went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI.
MJ Ranieri went 3-for-3 with a run scored and six RBI. Ranieri and Ben Espinoza each had a double. Willowbrook also stole three bases.
Ryan Mintz was the winning pitcher. He went four innings and allowed three hits, while striking out four. Scott Kohrt pitched the final inning.
Eight different Willowbrook players had hits in the game.
Willowbrook ended the week with a 14-0 non-conference win against Schaumburg in another game halted after five innings due to the 10-run rule.
The Warriors established command quickly with a seven-run first inning and a five-run second inning.
Willowbrook had 16 hits in the game.
Espinoza, the team’s leadoff hitter, went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Kelso went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI. Ranieri went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Mason Kamp had a hit and two RBI. Michaelson went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI. Dan Gusel had a hit and two RBI. Kelso, Ranieri and JT Ceh each had a double. Espinoza stole three bases in the game.
In this contest, 12 different Willowbrook players had at least one hit.
Jack Nilles picked up the victory for the Warriors. He threw four innings and allowed only two hits, while striking out five. Eric Grunst pitched the fifth inning.
Willowbrook was scheduled to play Glenbard East, Batavia, West Chicago and Tinley Park Andrew this week. The Warriors are scheduled to host West Chicago Thursday morning at 10 a.m., and Andrew Saturday at 10 a.m. Both days feature JV contests afterwards.
