Warriors won 11 games, evaluated talent for spring; 2018 captains named.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The Willowbrook summer baseball team concluded its season with an 11-7 record.
After receiving a first-round bye in the regional portion of the state summer tournament, the Warriors dropped a 3-1 decision to Oak Park-River Forest in the second round of the regional.
“It was a great game,” said Willowbrook coach Vic Wisner. “Ryan Mintz was the starting pitcher and gave up only three hits. We had some opportunities to score runs, but didn’t. It was tough.”
Willowbrook led the game 1-0 heading into the sixth innings. “We made an error, they had a couple of hits and the next thing you know it’s three runs,” said Wisner.
Wisner tipped his hat to Mintz for his efforts on the mound.
“Ryan pitched great,” the coach said.
Jeremy Conforti drove in Willowbrook’s only run of the contest.
“We didn’t put the ball in play enough to generate offense,” said Wisner. “We had our chances with some walks and errors, but we couldn’t get the big hit.”
Wisner labeled the summer a success when looking at the big picture.
“In the summer you really try to build chemistry and see what you have for next year,” he said. “We had an outstanding year, but we lost a ton of guys. We’re trying to find out who fits where and find chemistry as a team. We did that for the most part here in the summer. It was a good summer.”
Willowbrook again will be loaded on the mound with Mintz, Jack Nilles, Jack Hines and Vince Ruchala all returning with significant varsity pitching experience.
“Our pitching is going to be very good again. We have guys who are throwing well,” said Wisner. “We have to find out if some of these younger guys can step up and fill in some holes both pitching-wise and offensively.”
Wisner said seniors Dan Gusel and Mason Kamp, along with juniors Mintz, Nilles and Hines have been named team captains for the 2018 season. The coaching staff selected the captains.
“It’s a big responsibility,” said Wisner. “We put a lot on our captains’ shoulders. We want them to develop leadership skills. We give them a lot of responsibility with the things they have to do in our program. Being named a captain here is a big deal. The coaches vote on it and you have to earn it. It’s a nice honor. These guys have worked hard to get it.”
Wisner also saw positives from the likes of Conforti at third base and multi-sport athlete Scott Tumilty out in center field.
“Jeremy had a good summer for us,” said Wisner. “Scott is another guy who jumped out at us and locked down a position. He’s a good competitor. We were looking for someone to replace Ben Espinoza in center and lead off and Scott will do that for us.”
Overall, Wisner likes how things are coming into place for the 2018 spring season.
“We feel pretty good about where we are headed,” he said.
