When the reunion tour of The Police invades Wrigley Field for two concerts in July, the chances of the legendary English rock band performing their signature single, “Every Breath You Take,” are about as likely as either the OPRF or Lyons Township baseball teams winning the West Suburban Silver Division title this season. In other words, it’s pretty much a given.
In fact, for the conference rivals who have either claimed sole possession or shared first place during the last four campaigns and maintain a watchful eye on each other’s progress like the aforementioned rock classic, they must truly feel like Sting and company are playing their song.
The teams’ highly anticipated doubleheader on Saturday was postponed due to cold weather.
“It’s had a different feeling this season [and last year as well] because we are playing them earlier in the conference schedule,” said OPRF coach Chris Ledbetter. “The two previous seasons we won the division outright and also split once with [LT] with our season basically coming down to a final series [against LT]. I think both teams are still figuring out their identity. It’s really about playing fundamentally sound baseball.”
Lyons Township, who went 34-6 last spring and won the summer state baseball tournament, features a plethora of talented players including University of Illinois signee Casey McMurray (hit .496 last season), Grant Filipitch, Luke Gasek and Eddie Viliunas.
The Huskies (7-3, 2-2) have leaned on a deep pitching rotation and solid defense, particularly up the middle with shortstop JoJo Maldanado and second baseman Max Edwards, as catalysts to success. Offensively, the OPRF bats seem to be coming around as well, especially productive hitters like Gil Claudio, Mark Bernthal, Sam Picchiotti, Maldanado and Golz.
Pitchers Neil Mejia, Drew Golz, Jack Edwards, Zack VanderLann have led the Huskies’ pitching staff which is giving up an average of three hits a game.
The Huskies fell 10-3 in six innings in the first game of the three-game series on Monday.
OPRF is to host the final game of the series today (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.).
The Huskies close out the busy week traveling to Hinsdale South on Thursday (4:30 p.m.) and Downers Grove North for a Saturday doubleheader (11 a.m.).