Sports
Analysis: Rich Central Kicks Away Chance to Impress 'Experts'
Fielding miscues cost Olympians in 12-6 loss to Homewood-Flossmoor, cause them to take stock as state playoffs draw near.
It is now two losses in a row for the Rich Central baseball team. After winning 15 of the first 17, including a tie with St. Rita, the Olympians suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this year.
Rich Central dropped a close game, 8-7, to Rich East on Thursday, but the Olympians' 12-6 loss to Homewood-Flossmoor on Saturday is going to sting for a while.
Rich Central had been waiting to play H-F all season long to show its cross-town rivals that they were for real this season. The Olympians played what they felt was their worst game of the year, committing eight errors that allowed the Vikings to score 12 unearned runs.
Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Vikings scored four runs in the first inning off of starter Jamie Taylor. After Taylor got Nico Kelly out to start the game, Ben Kirchler reached on an error by third basemen Matt Cole.
An error in the outfield put runners on the corners. Then, Ryan Rasmas singled in a run, Nick Brandt walked, Sean Dwyer had a two-run single and Chris Michaels added a run-scoring groundout and the Vikings were in control, 4-0.
Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Olympians seemed quick to get down on themselves.
“The key in baseball is to bounce back,” Rich Central coach Corey Stallings said. “We have to learn to put mistakes behind us. We didn’t do that today. We started pressing individually."
After giving up two runs on miscues of their own, the Vikings and starting pitcher David Fatoki settled down. He went six innings, mixing his pitches and keeping the big bats of the Olympians off balance.
The Olympians' 3-4 hitters, Nick Collins and Tyler House, went a combined 0-for-6 with six strikeouts.
“David is a tough, hard-nosed kid that will battle you,” H-F coach Todd Sippel said.
As the playoffs fast approach, the Olympians can say they finally have experienced a losing streak. They also hope they have learned a lesson: When you make mistakes in high-pressure games, you have to move on and make the next play.
If that doesn't happen, Rich Central will be going home early.
