Sunday June 28, 2009
Lisle, IL
Tim Wealton
Game 1
The Dragons sent Bryan Roberts, (Lisle, IL/University of Illinois), to the mound against the Quincy Gems Saturday night, looking to break a 2-game losing streak. Roberts looked very good through the first two innings, striking out two, and not allowing a run. Greg Stolzenburg, (St. Charles, IL/Elgin Community College), would single, and advance to 2nd on the throwing error from Gems 1st baseman John Myers to start the Dragons half of the inning. Even with the Dragons hottest hitter getting into scoring position, no progress could be made, as the next three batters would be retired.
Roberts continued his dominance getting through the 4th inning on only 44 pitches, as unfriendly skies rolled over the Benedictine Sports Complex in Lisle, IL.
Play would stop in the top of the 5th inning, after lighting was seen by home plate umpire Yanik Morin. So after completing 4.1 innings of work, play would be halted until Sunday, where beginning at 5:05pm, the Dragons would resume play and finish out Saturday’s game.
Taking the mound for the Dragons replacing Bryan Roberts would be Tom Zelasko, (Orland Park, IL/NIU), who would get through his first inning unscathed. Things would get a little hairy for Zelasko in the top of the 7th, where after recording the 2nd out of the inning, chasing down Brian Farris in a rundown, John Lorenz would advance to third, and score on the squeeze bunt from Zach Miller, to tie the game at one-run apiece.
Austin Kingsolver, (Dana Point, CA/Cal-State Fullerton), would lead off the bottom of the 8th with a hard hit single over the head of shortstop Jake Hibberd. Nothing would come of the effort however, and heading into the 9th inning, the score would remain tied, 1-1. Andy Deain, (Crystal Lake, IL/NIU), would come in for the Dragons, and with runners in scoring position, allow a 2-run single from Luke Schlekte to fall behind 3-1. Schlekte would then score on a very close call, where it appeared he was out of the basepath, beating out the throw from Dave Reynolds, and plate the final run, 4-1.
The Dragons would take a short intermission, and then play a 7-inning game against the Gems, before the off day Monday.
Game 2: Dragons Ignite in the 6th, Mount Comeback and Defeat Gems 4-2
After losing the back end of a continued game from Saturday night, the Dupage Dragons would look to take down the Quincy Gems in a 7-inning match up Sunday Evening. On the mound for the Dragons would be Will Strack, (Sycamore, IL/University of Illinois), who with a record of 1-0 on the year, looked to push the Dragons back to .500.
After getting through the first inning unharmed, Will Strack would run into trouble. The Dragons would fall behind after Luke Schlekte stole third, and plated a run on the throwing error from catcher Matt Mirabal, (Chicago, IL/Illinois State University).
After Richie Derbek would get to third on an out-of-play throw from shortstop Barrett Serrato, (West Chicago, IL/Purdue), Prospect League RBI-leader Jordin Hood would drive him home with a 2-out double.
A single from Barrett Serrato would plate the Dragons first run, and cut the lead in half. However, the Dragons would not be able to even it up, as Grant Filipitch, (LaGrange Park, IL/Butler), grounded out to end the inning.
The Dragons would tie the game in the bottom of the 6th inning, when with no outs, Andrew Brauer walked to lead off the inning. He would later be driven in on an RBI-double from Greg Stolzenburg, (St. Charles, IL). Barrett Serrato would be intentionally walked to load the bases for Grant Filipitch. Filipitch would strike out looking and designated hitter Brian Riegler, (Downers Grove, IL/Kishawaukee Community College), would step up to the dish. Riegler came through in the clutch, driving in two runs with a double, and putting the Dragons ahead 4-2.
Will Strack would finish off the Gems in the bottom of the 7th, the end of an abbreviated game, the 2nd half of a double-header.
The Dragons have an off day on Monday, but will be back in action on Tuesday at the Benedictine Sports Complex. Tickets are available at www.dupagedragons.com
