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The Warriors defeated Jackie Robinson West ("JRW") by a score of 14-8 on Sunday morning to win two of three pool games in the Oak Lawn Thunderstruck tournament. However, unless Glen Ellyn wins a doubleheader today, the Warriors will be eliminated from the tournament--earning the #2 seed in the bracket for the second consecutive tournament.
The Warriors jumped in front with three runs in the first inning. Robbie Maxfield led off the game with a line drive down the leftfield line and later scored on Paco Lauciello's two run double to deep centerfield. Paco drove in four runs in the game and now ranks second on the team with 36 RBI for the season--six behind Ryan Knightly, the team leader in that category.
JRW came right back with two runs in the bottom of the frame. The Warriors went down quickly in the top of the second inning before JRW scored three runs to take a 5-3 lead after two innings of play.
The Warriors scored three runs in the third inning after Paco Lauciello singled to leftfield to drive home two more runs. Ryan Knightly reached safely on a swinging bunt to score Paco. The Warriors led JRW by a run (6-5) as the game advanced to the bottom of the third inning.
Jason Waner held JRW scoreless in the bottom of the third inning. C.J. Brucki threw a runner out on an attempted steal of third base in the inning.
The Warriors extended its lead to 8-5 in the top of the fourth inning after drawing two walks (Jack Lebert and Tim Carroll). Both runners were aggressive on the base paths and ultimately scored on wild pitches. JRW tied the game after scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning. The first runner reached base on a single that took a bad hop and struck the shortstop, Sam Marc, in the face. Two walks and a hit batsman later and JRW was back in the ballgame.
JRW's pitcher had control problems in the top of the fifth inning. The Warriors drew five walks in the inning. Jack Lebert, Ryan Novak and Ryan Knightly each had base hits in the inning. With Ryan Knightly on first base, Paco Lauciello scored from third base on a passed ball. As Paco was sliding into home, the catcher's throw hit him hard in the chest and the ball deflected back to the fence. Ryan Knightly scored all the way from first on the play. Paco suffered an injury on the play and was removed from the game. Fortunately, he'll be OK and ready to play again in Wednesday's game.
Ryan Novak made quick work of the fifth, and final, inning of play. He recorded his 33rd strikeout of the season for the last out as the game ended due to the two hour time limitation rule.
WARRIORS: 14 runs, 7 hits, 3 errors, 6 left on base
JACKIE ROBINSON: 8 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 7 left on base
2011 Chicagoland Tournament Champions & 2011 Lombard Tournament Champions!
