Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez.

Oak Lawn – It was a thrilling, down-to-the-wire on April 22 as the Reavis Rams (12-7; 7-2 SSC Red) faced off against the Harold L. Richards Bulldogs (10-5; 5-2 SSC Red) in a South Suburban Conference Red (SSC Red) match.

Just one day earlier, Richards had beat Reavis 3-2. This rematch was no different—another tight, exciting battle that came down to the final moments.

At the bottom of the 4th, the Rams led 4-1.

Stepping up for Richards was sophomore Ryan Golinski, who already had an RBI single earlier in the game. With the bases loaded, Golinski ripped one to left field that reached the warning track, clearing the bases with a 3-RBI double to tie the game at 4-4.

In the 5th, the scoring continued. Reavis regained the lead with an RBI single by Anthony Perez, making it 5-4.

But Richards answered quickly. Ozzie Lopez came through with a 2-RBI single after getting a lucky hop, giving the Bulldogs a 6-5 lead.

In the top of the 7th, Reavis was down to its final out. Robert Soto stepped up and hit a hard line drive to left field that was too hot to handle, driving in the tying run.

However, the potential go-ahead runner was thrown out at home, keeping the score knotted at 6-6 and sending the game to extra innings; after Richards didn’t produce.

On the mound for Richards in the top of the 8th was Max Kawa. He struck out the first batter, then induced a 4-3 groundout followed by a 5-3 groundout to get out of the inning cleanly.

In the bottom of the 8th, Richards had runners on first and second when Kawa came up to bat.

With the chance to win it himself, Max Kawa swung at a low pitch that skipped past the third baseman, allowing Sean Cody—who was on second—to race home for the walk-off run.

FINAL (8): Richards 7, Reavis 6

The WCCN Player of the Game was sophomore left fielder Ryan Golinski, who had a key RBI single and a momentum-shifting 3-RBI double.

He walked us through those at bats.

Watch the news package on YouTube (linked below), Facebook or Instagram @ Will Cook County News.

Special thank you to Jeff Kortz (Richards head coach) and Kyle McKinley (Reavis head coach).

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