Analysis: Rich Central Rides Big Three to Hot Start

With Rich Central leadoff hitter Nolan Bullock sidelined with an injury, there was some question how the Olympians would generate offense from the top of the order in the early going of the baseball season.

But, not to worry.

Rich Central's top three hitters (all left-handed batters) responded with a resounding performance in Tuesday's 10-4 victory over Joliet Central. The three combine for six hits, four walks, five stolen bases, six runs and six RBIs.

Nick Collins, Brandon Fowler and Tyler House picked up the slack.

“The three lefties are fully capable of putting the ball in play,” Olympians coach Corey Stallings said.  “Whatever the situation may be, they make adjustments. Whatever we need from them, they step up and make it happen.”

Collins got the Olympians on the board in the first inning with a RBI double. He tripled in the third, scoring two runners and giving the Olympians a 3-0 lead.

After the Steelmen came back and took a 4-3 lead, House put the Olympians up for good with a two-run homer to make it 6-4.

“All of them have decent pop,” Stallings said.  “They can go yard at any point. That is always a luxury, but they don’t just focus on that. They will shorten up their swings with two strikes.”

Bullock has a lingering injury that has left him only able to DH.  Stallings felt it best to have him rest another day.

“We were missing our leadoff hitter,” House said.  “But we all stepped up.”

With Bullock out and high expectations on a talented up-and-coming team, Fowler and his teammates are playing with determination.

“We just went out there with a chip on our shoulder,” he said.  “Whatever we do, we don’t think individually. We think as a unit. We only care about the ‘W.' ”

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