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the glencoe anchor | July 18, 2019 | 39
Baseball
Jeffrey’s pitching masterpiece leads Waves to win over Loyola
Michael Wojtychiw
Sports Editor
22nd Century Media FILE PHOTO
1st-and-3
THREE STARS OF THE
WEEK.
1. Ryan Jeffrey
(above). The
Wilmette Waves
pitcher threw a
two-hit shutout
versus Loyola,
striking out eight.
2. Dani Kaufman.
The rising
Bucknell
University
senior and
women’s soccer
goalkeeper
attended the
women’s World
Cup. The NT
alumna saw the
U.S. vs. Sweden
game.
3. Charlie Acri. The
Wilmette Wave
drove in both
runs in a 2-0 win
over Loyola.
For a pitcher, getting
early run support is really
all he or she needs sometimes
in a big game.
The Wilmette Waves
got pitcher Ryan Jeffrey
all the support he needed
in the first inning when
two runners crossed the
plate en route to a 2-0
Connie Mack League win
over host Loyola July 9 at
Loyola’s Munz Campus in
Glenview.
“Having that lead feels
good because you know you
can go out there and pound
it and play loose,” Jeffrey
said. “It’s good to know that
your team has your back at
the plate as well.”
After seeing two of
the first three batters get
out via strikeout and flyout,
the Waves got three
consecutive baserunners,
culminating in a two-run
single by Charlie Acri that
drove in Alex Calarco and
Alex Mendes.
Those two runs would
be all Jeffrey would need.
The rising senior would
have a no-hitter through
five innings, before allowing
a hit in each of the
sixth and seventh innings,
en route to a complete
game, two-hit shutout with
eight strikeouts.
“A lot of what was
working for me was the
offspeed pitches, mixing
in the curve for a strike
early in the count and the
Ryan Jeffrey delivers a pitch during the Wilmette Waves’ 2-0 win over Loyola July 9 in Glenview. Michael
Wojtychiw/22nd Century Media
slider toward the end, but
it was the fastball mostly,”
Jeffrey said. “A lot of what
I’ve been working on is
consistency with the fastball
low in the zone and
the curveball for a strike.”
Jack Bosak broke up the
no-hitter in the sixth inning
with a single up the
middle, while Edward Mahoney
had the Ramblers’
other hit, a double, with
two outs in the bottom of
the seven inning.
The win extends the
Waves’ winning streak
to 12, including a tournament
win over the weekend
where the Waves had
to win double headers on
three consecutive days to
win the title.
The win is also Wilmette’s
seventh straight in
Connie Mack League play,
giving the squad an impressive
12-3 record. The
Waves’ last Connie Mack
loss was to Niles North in
June 27.
“We’re really playing
loose and having a lot of
fun out there,” Jeffrey said.
“You know, it’s trusting
ourselves. Our bats have
been really good lately
and all our arms are throwing
strikes and giving us a
chance to win every day.”
After not getting much
playing time during the
high school season, Jeffrey
has seen his playing time
increase during the spring
season. With that, he’s also
seen a rise in performance
as well.
“For me, I feel so much
more confident at the
plate,” he said. “Driving
the ball to left field, putting
the ball opposite field has
been big too.”
The loss to Wilmette
concluded a tough day for
the Ramblers, who earlier
had dropped a Connie
Mack League game to
Maine West. After starting
league play 8-3, the Ramblers
have now dropped
three in a row and come
into the last two days of
league play tied for the
Red Division lead at 8-6.
The Ramblers end regular
season play with games
against Niles North, while
the Waves finish with
Maine West. Connie Mack
playoff action takes place
next week, with pool play
set for Monday and Tuesday
and the championship
on Wednesday.
Listen Up
“I get choked up about it now because it has
been a dream of mine to see the games live.”
Dani Kaufman — New Trier alumna on being able to
attend the Women’s World Cup.
tunE in
What to watch this week
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Summer has started and it’s time to get
out to the beach and play some volleyball.
• Visit any of your local beaches and hit the ball
around this summer.
Index
36 - Women’s World Cup Reactions
34 - Athlete of the Week
Fastbreak is compiled by Sports Editor Michael
Wojtychiw, m.wojtychiw@22ndcenturymedia.com.