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Sports

Brother Rice's Koziol Named Athlete of Week

Crusaders' pitcher Ryan Koziol dominates Hinsdale Central.

Brother Rice junior pitcher Ryan Koziol had a reason to cheer for the University of Arizona’s run to the Elite 8 in this year’s NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Koziol has verbally committed to become a Wildcat.

He emulated Arizona’s fantastic play last week with a dominant performance against Hinsdale Central on Thursday. Koziol went five innings, allowing only one hit and only one earned run as Brother Rice defeated the Red Devils 11-2.

In recognition of his performance, he his honored today as the Patch Athlete of the Week.

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“It worked well for me to get ahead of the hitters,” Koziol said. “My team was playing good defense behind me. That’s always a plus.”

Koziol was recruited by Arizona to play any one of a number of positions, including shortstop and third base. He might also be used by the Wildcats as a relief pitcher.

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