Area Sports Roundup: Sandburg takes 2nd at Bajenski tourney

By Jeff Vorva
Staff writer

The Sandburg baseball team has had more downs than ups this season.

But the Eagles finished the regular season on a strong note with a run to second place at the Steven M. Bajenski Memorial Tournament, which wrapped up May 21 at Ozinga Field in Crestwood.

To get to the title game, the Eagles won a wild 9-8 decision over Homewood-Flossmoor via a walkoff hit by Jeremy Johnson, causing a huge celebration.

Sandburg dropped a 6-3 decision in the title game to Lockport and headed into regionals with a 14-15 mark.

Outfielder Jake Liskiewick was given an award after the game for “playing the game the right way.” Liskiewck, a senior, said he will cherish the plaque.

“This is more than a tournament,” he said. “It’s all about Stevie’s way. I’ve played with the Orland Park Sparks and I’ve heard stories about his life. This means a lot to me.”

Bajenski, who played at Mount Carmel, died in 2009 after complications from heart surgery. This is the 10^th running of the tournament named in his honor, and the Do It Stevie’s Way Foundation is a scholarship fund for senior students who best exhibit “Stevie’s way,” according to the foundation.

Sectional tennis

Several sectionals were postponed because of rain throughout the area on May 21.

Some were played, however, and Stagg won the Oak Lawn Sectional by three points over Sandburg. It is the fifth sectional title in the Chergers’ history.

Stagg singles players Lukas Cepronas and Zeb Alikhan qualified for state, which opens Thursday at various sites in the suburbs. The Chargers’ doubles team of Declan Lally-Ian Wolan also advanced.

Sandburg’s Ryan Bottino and the doubles teams of Shreyas Shah-Ethan Carlson and Danny Gallagher-Nico Delis qualified.

Marist’s Brayden Bartecki won the singles title to quality for state.

Lyons took second place at its own regional. Sophomore Jack McLane finished fourth and qualified for state. The Lions’ doubles teams of Tiernan Kelly-Patrick Adams and Will Carroll-Mason Mazzone finished second and third, respectively, to punch their tckets to state.

Stagg’s boys tennis team on May 21 won the fifth sectional title in program history. Photo courtesy of Stagg High School

Cougar softball

The Saint Xavier softball team’s season came to an end May 16 with a 3-2 loss to SouthEastern University of Florida in the NAIA Opening Round Tournament in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

The Cougars (39-8) needed to win both games against the Fire in the double-elimination tournament, and won the first one, 12-6. But they were eliminated in the second game on a walkoff hit.

Senior outfielder Lyda Robinson of Seneca went 4-for-5 in game one and set the SXU single-season record for runs scored with 61.