Two decisions, both good outcomes for HHS: Guazzo, Vitellero are pitching leaders
Steve Peterson Huntley senior Mike Vitellaro throws a strike against Marengo May 16. He has three saves this season.
HUNTLEY – A pair of decisions made by two Huntley baseball players in their sophomore seasons are paying dividends today in a 25-win HHS campaign.
Michael Vitellaro seized the opportunity last season to be a relief pitcher then delivered the conclusion to the team;s latest Fox Valley Conference baseball championship May 13 in a 6-4 win. Two days earlier, former catcher Adam Guazzo fired a shutout against the Gators 1-0 in an eight-inning victory.
Guazzo is the team’s starting ace with a 7-0 record. Vitellaro has gained three saves in four attempts.
“I was a starting pitcher before and for my summer team but I started pitching in relief last season,” Vitellaro said.
Vitellaro struck out five Crystal Lake South batters in two and two-thirds innings to preserve the comeback win AJ Putty’s three-RBI hit put the Red Raiders ahead.
“It was exciting to pitch for the conference championship,” Vitellaro said. “It was a great atmosphere.”
“Vitellaro showed why he is our go-to pitcher and we have the utmost confidence in him,” Red Raiders coach Andy Jakubowski said.
Guazzo, meanwhile, recalled his big decision in 2020. “I was a catcher but decided the position wasn’t for me so I decided to try pitching,” he said.
The Valparaiso University recruit said he has worked on a change-up this season. He has a 1.432 ERA and has racked up 63 strikeouts. His efforts in a five-strikeout game against CLS earned him a complete game finish.
“The third time through (the order) is a big thing and we somewhat buy into that system,” Jakubowski said. “On the other hand, if our guy is dealing like Guazzo was, you have to trust your gut.”
Vitellaro said he and senior catcher Brandon Hanley work well together. “I love working with him,” Vitellaro said. “He is very encouraging. I just block everything out and focus on the catcher’s glove,”
Vitellaro’s numbers remain steady since beginning the new role last year. He has a 4-0 record, three saves, 33 strikeouts with 14 hits and eight walks allowed.
HHS’s squad notched its 25th win in 29 games with a 6-1 victory over Marengo on May 16 was a special day for Vitellaro, Hanley and all of the 17 Class of 2022 Red Raiders as it was Senior Day, virtually all of the class electing to play college baseball. Vitellaro is headed to Heartland Community College near Normal and Hanley has chosen University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
“I have played baseball with these guys for 10 years and we have such a great chemistry,” Vitellaro said.
Families took a bow this Monday, too, even with moms throwing out a first pitch to their 12th graders. The Vitellaros, dad Paul, mom Aimee and grandfather James were on hand. “I love having my grandfather at all the games, he’s my biggest booster,” Mike said.
