4A Downers Grove South Regional: Plainfield Central Advances

May 27, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Plainfield Central 5, Downers Grove South 2

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – In the 4A Downers Grove South Regional Semifinals, No. 12 seed Plainfield Central took down No.5 seed Downers Grove South by a score of 5-2.

Plainfield Central starting pitcher, junior right-hander Brandon Callender twirled a complete game and the toughest out may have been the last. Leading 5-2 with two outs in the seventh, the Mustangs of Downers Grove South had the bases loaded and the winning run at the plate. After a long at-bat with numerous foul balls, Callender was able to spin a breaking ball down in the zone, resulting in a swing-and-miss and a spot in the Regional final on Monday.

Plainfield Central sophomore third baseman, David Ascencio had himself a day to remember. Ascencio jump started the Wildcat offense, leading off the top of the third inning with a home run to left-center field which tied the game at one. Later in the inning the Wildcats got a run scoring single by catcher Matt Bunetta and a RBI double by Justin Willner to take a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the third.

With a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh, Ascencio did it again for Plainfield Central, leading off the inning once again with a home run, this time to straight away left field. Callender helped himself later in the inning, adding an insurance run with a run scoring single, taking a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

The Mustangs were able to score one run in the first inning and one in the sixth off of Callender. First baseman Ty McCulloch, a Parkland commit, laced an RBI single in the first and sophomore catcher Brett Riegler added one of his own in the sixth.

With the win Plainfield Central advances to the Regional Final tomorrow against Yorkville. The game will be played at Downers Grove South at 10:00 am.

STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS
+ RHP Brandon Callender (Plainfield Central) – 7IP, 7H, 2R, 1ER, 4K, 2BB
+ 3B David Ascencio (Plainfield Central) – 2-for-3, 2HR, 2RBI, 2R
+ C Matt Bunetta (Plainfield Central) – 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB
+ 3B Mike Hall (Downers Grove South) – 2-for-3
+ DH Ben Ficht (Downers Grove South) – 1-for-2, R, BB