By Drake Skleba

TINLEY PARK – Lincoln-Way North junior centerfielder Corey Krupske did it all for the No. 5-ranked Phoenix on Friday at Andrew. In a Southwest Suburban Red Division showdown between the top two teams in the division, Krupske used his glove and then his bat to lead the Phoenix past Andrew, 10-9, in eight exciting innings.

With the win Lincoln-Way North (26-5; 12-0) all but wrapped up its second consecutive SWSC-Red title.

After Andrew (20-9; 10-2) had exploded for six runs in the sixth to tie things up at 9-9, Krupske used his glove and his legs to bite the T-Bolts in the bottom of the seventh.

Leading off the home half of the seventh, Andrew's Zach Klockowski (2-for-4, 2B, 2RBI) hammered a shot that appeared to be exiting the premises for a dramatic walk-off homer for the T-Bolts. Krupske, getting a tremendous jump on the ball, used his great speed and glove to outrun the ball before crashing into the centerfield fence to make a spectacular catch.

“Yes sir, I did get a tremendous jump on the ball,” said Krupske. “I would have run through that wall to save us and get that ball.”

He almost did. We move to the top of the eighth and the Phoenix have the lead run on second base, in the person of junior shortstop Josh Handzik (3-for-4, 3 R 2B, 3B, BB, SB), who had walked and advanced to second on a sac-bunt from junior second baseman Tyler Gaynor (2-for-3, BB, SAC).

Krupske ripped the first pitch for a single, his fourth of the game, as Handzik raced home with the eventual game-winning run.

“I live for moments like this,” Krupske said. “I went up there looking for a pitch I could drive and get the run home.”

Andrew was not to go lightly in the home half of the eighth. T-Bolt No. 9 hitter Ryan Forrest led off the inning with a line single off of Phoenix closer Dan Moore (3-0). 

Senior centerfielder Steve Carrabotta (3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2RBI) flew out to Krupske for the first out of the inning. Senior Brian Grad  (2-for-5, RBI) ripped a smash to the left of Gaynor, who made a spectacular stop wheeled and fired a strike to Handzik at second, who in turn fired a strike to Phoenix junior first baseman Reed Hero for a lightning-fast 4-6-3 double-play.

Game Over.

“He hit the ball right at me and my man Josh (Handzik) turned the game ending double-play,” said Gaynor. “I hit the ball very well and I'm proud of myself to get down that bunt in the eighth.”

“I knew anything close to Tyler he would grab and I was ready at second base to turn the double-play,” said Handzik. “It was a great feeling. I was fortunate to get my pitch all day and I did a great job.”

Andrew exploded for three runs off of Phoenix starting pitcher Jake McCabe in the bottom of the first. With two outs, T-Bolt senior Justin Rzeszutko (2-for4, 2B, 3 RBI) ripped a two-run double. Klockowski followed with another RBI double.

The Andrew defense deserted T-Bolt starting pitcher Tyler Hook. In the second, third and fourth innings Lincoln-Way North scored five runs, three were unearned, to take the lead 5-3 after four.

The T-Bolt defense imploded in the sixth with three errors and gave the Phoenix four more unearned runs and this baby appeared to be over. The Phoenix took a 9-3 lead to the bottom of the sixth.

Andrew showed why they are one of the better teams in Illinois as the T-Bolts exploded for six runs in the bottom of the sixth, knocking out McCabe and

tying this game up at 9-9. Carrabotta had a booming two-run triple to bring the 'Bolts within 9-8. Brad singled home Carrabotta and the Andrew contingent was going crazy. T-Bolt junior Dan Durkin had two singles in the six-run sixth. Senior shortstop Pat Elget was hit twice in the sixth. Ouch.

“I am just so proud of how my kids battled,” said Andrew head coach Dave DaHaan “ I am not surprised to see Danny Durkin get two hits in an inning That's why he is hitting .500 this spring. And what a huge hit by Steve (Carrabotta). We will be better in the playoffs for having this game.”

Lincoln Way North closes out with L-W West on next Tuesday and Thursday.

“Corey Krupske is a great player,” said Lincoln-Way North head coach Joe Skarbek. “When the spotlight is on Corey is at his best. Our infield defense has been superb all season. What a way to end the ball game.”