Driscoll players are no strangers to Robin Roberts Field at Lanphier Park.
Each of the last two seasons, the Highlanders have advanced to the Class A finals, returning to Addison with little more than experience under their collective belts.
When this year`s finals begin Monday, Driscoll (31-2-1), ranked No. 6 in the Tribune Top 10, is the consensus favorite to take home the title. The Highlanders face Riverton (17-7-1) at 11 a.m. in a quarterfinal contest.
”To me, Driscoll is the overwhelming favorite,” said Harrisburg coach Jay Thompson, whose team defeated Driscoll in a semifinal game last year before losing the title to Belleville Althoff.
”I don`t know much about any of the other teams who are there this year, but I`m quite sure about Driscoll.”
Before the Driscoll game, Quincy Notre Dame (24-8) meets Danville Schlarman (24-8) at 9 a.m. In other quarterfinals Monday, Effingham St. Anthony (17-12) plays Okawville (21-8) at 2 p.m., with Harrisburg (22-9-1)
facing Peru St. Bede (24-5) at 4 p.m.
Driscoll coach Rod Molek understands the favorite role in which his team has been cast. Still, he prefers to downplay the designation.
”It is something the players and I don`t think about,” Molek said. ”At least I hope that`s the way it is in their case. A team could come into the finals as the favorite and have the best record and all that, but we all start even at this point. Everybody`s 0-0 again. What happened before the finals doesn`t make a difference.”
It might in the case of Driscoll, with senior pitcher/outfielder John Mika, second baseman/catcher Mike Kamienski, pitcher/outfielder John Bongiorno and first baseman/outfielder Joe Coglianese making their third straight state appearance.
”It`s quite an achievement to get here three years in a row,” said Molek, whose team lost its 1990 quarterfinal game to Dupo. ”These guys have experience and that should help.”
Molek says he`ll probably use outfielder/pitcher Mike Vavrek (8-0) on the mound against Riverton, with Mika (9-0 and a .435 batting average) also ready to pitch.
Other players, such as shortstop Louis Leon, pitcher/outfielder Mike Burzawa and Bongiorno (6-0) have helped the Highlanders reach lofty heights.
”The great thing is that it`s been a different guy getting the job done every day,” said Molek. ”It`s really been an excellent team. This is a senior-dominated team that knows how to win. I think they`re ready to take that extra step to win it all.”
– Although it`s a game fit to be played in Lanphier Park, Monday`s Naperville Central-Lockport clash for the Geneva Class AA sectional title will be staged at the Kane County Events Center.
The top-ranked Redskins (35-2-1) suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of No. 3 Lockport (32-5), 1-0 April 25 in Naperville. Monday`s rematch will pit flame-throwing lefty Anthony Shelby of Lockport against Naperville`s Paul Briski.
Redskins coach Bill Seiple used his ace, Mike Haverty (10-0) in Saturday`s 6-0 semifinal victory over De Kalb, while Jeff Behun piched a one- hitter with 1 1/3 innings of relief help from Shelby as Lockport edged Glenbard West 1-0.
”It`s a game I`m sure Naperville is glad to have back,” said Lockport coach Jim Hall of Monday`s encounter. ”This is what you want. It`s like the Bulls and Trail Blazers. It`s the top two seeds in the sectional.”
”Definitely, this is the way it`s supposed to be,” said Seiple. ”We got what we wanted. These are two very good teams but, unfortunately, one won`t get to go (to the finals).
”We`re confident going with Briski (7-0). We want to come right at them. If we`re good enough to beat them, we will. And, don`t forget, I have (Brett) Laurvick, (Scott) Tumilty and Haverty to go to if I have to.”
Lockport`s 32-5 record equals the most victories ever by a Porters team. The 1984 squad, which was defeated by Oak Park 6-4 in a state quarterfinal game, ended at 32-5.
Another game to watch Monday will be at Sandburg when the high-flying Eagles (28-6), ranked No. 8, meet No. 2 Andrew (29-5). A.J. Jones, who is 12-0 with 10 shutouts, is expected to start for the Thunderbolts, who were the preseason favorites.
