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Baseball: Rebels fall short of expectations
Ridgewood's David Parker receives congratulations after belting a home run against Antioch May 24. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: July 3, 2012 11:52AM
A second straight regional title wasn’t in the cards for the Ridgewood baseball team as the Rebels lost to Antioch 11-4 in the Antioch Class 3A Regional semifinal May 24.
Given the outcome of the game, Rebels’ head coach Chris Uhle was not pleased with his team’s performance.
“We played bad, just like we have most of the season. We gave the game away and played bad baseball,” said a disappointed Uhle. “We outhit them 11-8 but they scored 11 runs (and) 11 runs on eight hits with one extra base hit means we played bad defense.”
The Rebels were led by senior Pete Mroz, who went 3-for-4. Senior Brian Costello chipped in two hits and sophomore David Parker also had two hits, including a home run.
“David’s home run got us going for a few innings,” said Uhle. “Pete had three hits but unfortunately there was no one on base or he was leading off an inning.”
Heading into the regional matchup, the Rebels, who won the Guerin Class 3A Regional title last season, had high expectations.
“Our goal all year has been to win the regional,” said Uhle before the matchup. “We have to pick up the baseball and execute our situational hitting. The formula for success has not changed, we just have a hard time putting it all together.”
But unfortunately for the Rebels, they were unable to put it all together in the postseason as they finish the season with an overall record of 13-21.
Despite falling short of their postseason goals, the Rebels have reasons to be optimistic about next season.
“(The positives are) we are young and (will be) returning eight of our 11 guys,” said Uhle. “We have the whole summer to work and improve.”
When asked what his early expectations are for next season, Uhle said, “I don’t know what to think right now. I’m still scorned from this year. These (eight) returning kids have to learn to win. They have to learn to be hard-nosed and tough. I need leaders to emerge from this returning group.”
Uhle also said the keys to having a successful 2013 season are for the Rebels to “learn how to play this game from a mental standpoint. (We also need to) limit the errors and mental mistakes on the field (and) learn to be tougher players by taking extra bases and getting dirty defensively.”
