Lambros, Batas spark St. Dominic

The Kellenberg baserunners eyeing Nick Batas had taken on a decidedly predatory feel in the fifth inning Wednesday. But even with one run in and the potential tying run at the plate, the most important presence on the diamond then was the guy trotting to the mound for a chat.

"I don't even know what I said," St. Dominic catcher Lou Lambros said. "[But] I have confidence in every pitcher that steps on the mound. I know what they've got, I know what they're feeling, I know what their best pitch is, what their secondary pitch is. It's just me and him."

Whatever he said -- Lambros figured it was probably something like "Relax, we've got nothing to lose right now" -- it was enough. Batas used one pitch to retire the next batter on a grounder and strand the bases loaded, and the Bayhawks defeated host Kellenberg, 6-2, in CHSAA.

Coach Rick Garrett singled out the senior leadership provided by his catcher, the team captain and a three-year varsity starter. "It's the key to our team," Garrett said. "You've got somebody smart who's leading everything. He's calling out the plays, he's moving the outfielders, he's directing everybody."

The truth is, the Bayhawks (7-1) are proving to be fairly well seasoned throughout. Although they were up 2-1 by the third inning, they were having a hard time getting to Kellenberg's Robert Kelly, who threw only 32 pitches through four. The second time around the lineup, though, the Bayhawks showed why they have the best record in the Catholic league.

With two on and one out in the top of the fifth, Spencer Bilello's liner to right drove in Kevin Podell from second. That brought up Tommy Grillo, who laced a line drive that bounced off the glove of the diving rightfielder for a two-run triple. Grillo scored on a balk to give St. Dominic a 6-1 advantage.

"You really get a feel for what the pitcher is going to throw and what the umpire is going to call a strike" the second time around, Grillo said. "We started seeing the ball and listening to the coaches."

SEE PHOTOSSt. Dominic 6, Kellenberg 2

Batas proved capable for St. Dominic. After giving up a single to lead off the game, he didn't let a hit leave the infield until Doug Kraeger's RBI single in the fifth. Batas gave up one earned run, five hits and two walks in five innings and struck out five.

"That inning, I knew that I had to keep my team in it," Batas said. "I knew I had to keep us in the game."