Sports
Athlete of the Week: Huizinga Helps Griffins Begin Postseason With a Bang
Lincoln-Way East senior Dan Huizinga clubbed a first-inning grand slam on Wednesday to help the Griffins set the tone early in a 7-0 win over Shepard.
The IHSA baseball postseason can be nerve-wracking, whether your team enters the playoffs with a 30-2 record or a 2-30 record, because from this point forward, any loss ends your season.
That’s why jumping on top early in a playoff opener is always good for the nerves and for your team’s chances of going on an extended playoff run that can roll into June.
In Lincoln-Way East’s Class 4A opener against Shepard on Wednesday, Dan Huizinga made sure coach Paul Babcock wouldn’t have to tear into a package of antacids.
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Following base hits by Chris Scott and Bobby Kosola and a walk to Alec Ornelas, Huizinga gave the Griffins a 4-0 lead in the first inning when he slugged a grand slam.
"It was great that Dan gave us an early cushion,” Babcock said. “It helped us take a deep breath and relax, because in the playoffs anything can happen.”
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Behind a three-hitter from Brandon Bollman, the Griffins cruised the rest of the way, winning 7-0 and punching their ticket into the Shepard Regional title game. The Griffins won the title Saturday with a 9-2 victory over Reavis, improving their record to 23-11.
In recognition of his contributions, Huizinga is Patch’s Athlete of the Week.
