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March 27, 2024

Huntley senior Malachi Paplanus fires a strike against a Hope Academy hitter.
Steve Peterson
Huntley senior Malachi Paplanus fires a strike against a Hope Academy hitter.

Sports • March 27, 2024

Baseball squad starts fast with 4 wins

By

HUNTLEY — Huntley’s baseball squad has had solid outings from the pitching staff in a 4-0 beginning.

Victories have been 1-0 over Hope Academy; 10-0 over Belvidere North and a close 7-4 comeback win over St. Charles East and a 4-1 victory over Maine South.

Senior Malachi Paplanus has two victories already, over Hope and Maine South.

“Our pitchers have done a really nice job so far,” Red Raiders head coach Andy Jakubowski said. “We need to get better with our first pitch strike ratio but to give up four runs in three games – they have done a tremendous job.”

Two sophomores have contributed on the mound, as Drew Borowski started in the win over Belvidere North then Josh Rudnick helped hold St. Charles East’s offense in check.

“Rudnick did a nice job coming out of the bullpen in his first varsity inning,” Jakubowski said. “He was efficient and put up a zero to give us a chance to come back. AJ Putty came in and shut the door to save the game.”

Senior Malachi Paplanus, a Wright State recruit got the nod in the season opener and he and Mason Leske stopped combined for the victory. The two finished with striking out 11 batters, with Paplanus’ seven and Leske’s four.

In the second game, against Belvidere North, starter Borkowski stuck out seven in his portion while reliever senior Colby Aschenbach, a Loras College commit, finished up.

“We have a lot of pitching depth this year – guys who can throw 90 MPH or 80 MPH, to confuse the hitters,” Aschenbach said.

“It was an honor as a sophomore to get to start,” Borowski said.

The offense came alive with a four-run sixth against St. Charles East March 21. Ryan Dabe was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and Griffin Goldstein was 2 for 2 with two RBIs.

“Haiden Janke and Marco Stawski did a nice job of jump starting the offense. Goldstein came up with a big hit with two strikes. Dabe had a great day at the plate, and gave us more insurance runs in the sixth,” Jakubowski said.

Against Belvidere North, in a 10-0. six-inning victory, it was Kyle Larson who led the attack with a 3 for 4, two RBIs game. Quinn Drews had a two-run double.  Dabe also had a good game at the plate, 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Dylan Visvarda also had a key RBI hit.

Against Maine South, Paplanus’ effort included six strikeouts over five innings in the 4-1 win with three hits and one walk allowed. Putty struck a home run and Larson had two RBIs.

“We hit the ball really well but right at people,” Jakubowski said. “We left 10 runners on base but Larson did a nice job of getting runners home wit less than two outs. He also added insurance with a big two out hit in the seventh. Paplanus, Rudnik and Brady Klepfer did a very good job of attacking the strike zone with only giving up one walk.”