Sports
Baseball: DGS Outlasts DGN in Annual Rivalry Game
Downers South 3, Downers North 2: Mustangs get out of several jams to best rival Trojans.
The Downers North Trojans and Downers South Mustangs brought plenty of drama to the baseball diamond Thursday, which is appropriate, given their long-standing rivalry.
The Mustangs got the last laugh in a 3-2 win over the Trojans on the road, avenging their loss last season on their home turf.
Both teams used their speed and aggressiveness on the base paths, combining for seven steals in eight chances, but runs remained at a premium thanks to solid pitching from both sides and good defense.
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“One thing we’ve talked all about year for our team is consistency," Trojans coach Chad Isaacson said. "Being consistent on all sides of the ball."
The Trojans had several chances to open the game up on offense. They had runners on second and third with one out or less in the second, fourth, and sixth. In all three innings the Mustangs were able to get out of the jam.
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“Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get that timely hit today,” Isaacson said. The Trojans left ten runners on base and eight of them were in scoring position. The only runs from the Trojans came on RBI singles from third baseman Corey Treichel and right fielder David Wilk in the first and third, respectively.
The Mustangs scored on RBI singles from first baseman Nick Vanek and catcher Nick Tenerelli in the first and third, respectively. In the top of the fourth, after third baseman John Lithio reached first on an error, Trojans starter Nick Henry made an errant pickoff throw that allowed Lithio to reach third. DH Joe Rossi drove him home with an RBI double to give the Mustangs a 3-2 lead.
Mustangs starter Nick Rizner worked his way out of several jams, but was pulled in the sixth with runners on second and third and one out. Center fielder Jacob Wolf stepped on to the mound and ended the threat by retiring the next two hitters. He made short work of the Trojans in the seventh, earning him the save.
“I just went in there, trying to throw strikes,” Wolf said. “I told myself to stay calm and don’t worry about the situation.”
The Trojans play a doubleheader at home against York on Saturday. The Mustangs go to Leyden Sunday to play a doubleheader.
