Bulldogs Sweep Doubleheader

With the exception of two innings, Batavia’s baseball team enjoyed a near-flawless week, sweeping a three-game series against Larkin while suffering a tough two-run defeat to rival Geneva.

The Bulldogs (12-15-1, 10-13-1) capped the week with a doubleheader sweep of Larkin Saturday in Batavia.

Ben Allison went the distance as the Bulldogs won the opener 6-2, while junior right-hander Nick Pappas fired a two-hit complete game in the team’s 9-0, game-two triumph.

Junior outfielder Sam Burnoski was the hitting star for the Bulldogs, as he had a pair of extra-base hits in both games of the twin bill.

In the opener, the right-handed hitting Burnoski stroked a triple and double while driving in three runs. Burnoski repeated the scene in the nightcap with a double and triple, while senior first baseman Joe Sortino added a double.

Last Thursday, the Bulldogs began the three-game series with a 10-5 victory over the Royals in Elgin. Sortino (3-4), who lost his first four games, earned his third consecutive victory on the mound.

Jay Clark, Danny Seiton and Burnoski each had doubles, while sophomore Rob Bowman beat out a pair of bunt singles.

Batavia’s lone setback of the week came in disappointing fashion, as the Bulldogs let a 4-1 lead evaporate during their 9-7 road loss to Geneva on May 10.

Playing to the advantage of their ballpark, the Vikings tied a team record with six solo home runs. Junior Matt Williams had three home runs in consecutive at-bats during the third, fifth, and sixth innings, while designated hitter Brett Willman added a pair of long balls.

“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it,” Batavia coach Matt Holm said frustratingly while responding to post-game questions. “You think you’re going to get some fly balls and they’re home runs.”

Michael Rutas (4-3) suffered the loss for the Bulldogs.

“He was sick the day before but he came in and he battled,” Holm said of Rutas. “I was reluctant to start him but he wanted to start. He’s a tough kid and I always tell the kids, 'If you want it (the ball), you’ve got it.' ”

Batavia capitalized on three Geneva errors to grab a 4-1 lead in the third. Burnoski’s two-strike RBI bunt single helped ignite the rally.

“At that point, we weren’t seeing the ball so I told the guys we’re going to find some way to score,” said Holm. “He (Geneva starter Jordon Touro) had a nice breaking ball that we weren’t seeing so we played the odds that he’d put it down and make them play it.”

Trailing 9-4, the Bulldogs made things interesting with a three-run seventh that included Clark’s RBI single and disputed fielder’s choice play at second base on a slow roller off the bat of sophomore Danny Ritchason.

“He (the Geneva second baseman) was a full step off the bag when he caught the ball,” said Holm. “That’s a rally-killer right there.”

Batavia hosts Marmion Monday before facing Kaneland Thursday night at Elfstrom Stadium.