Strong Pitching Leads Sandburg to Regional Semi Win Over Andrew

Sandburg and Andrew squared off to start their 4A Regional play. Strong starting pitching and some timely hitting gave Sandburg enough support to overcome a late comeback effort from Andrew, and would take the game 2-1.

Andrew found themselves chasing two runs heading into the top of the seventh inning. Sophomore Nicolas Altobelli and junior Sam Ruchala worked back-to-back walks to put men on first and second with two outs. Junior AJ Lee would step in and deliver Andrew their first hit of the ball-game; a single to left-field which would score Altobelli and make the game 2-1. With the tying run on second, junior Justin Sewers, who came out of the bullpen in the middle of the seventh from Sandburg would end the come-back attempt. Sewers was able to induce a strikeout to record the final out of the game and advance them to the Regional Finals. 

Sandburg (11-12) was led on the mound by unsigned senior Danny Durkin. Durkin dominated for Sandburg going 6.2 innings without giving up a hit. The right-hander featured a quick arm, running fastball that sat comfortably at 84-86 mph, touching 87 mph early on. Durkin went to a sharp 11/5 breaking ball in the 70-72 mph range to put the Andrew hitters away. Changeup was thrown at 78-80 mph with arm-side action. 

Sandburg’s offense came on one big swing of the bat from senior John-Michael Scumaci, a North Central commit; Scumaci drilled a ball over the left field wall to bring home two runs and put Sandburg ahead for good. 

Andrew (12-15) was led on the mound by junior LHP Michael Pustelnik. Pustelnik threw the ball well despite receiving the loss; Pustelnik went 5.1 innings, striking out four and only one of his two runs were earned.  The 6-foot-2, 210-pound, strong-bodied, left-hander worked with a fastball that sat 77-79 mph with occasional arm-side-run and stayed out of the middle of the plate. Curveball was his go-to secondary offering, showing 1/7 shape with advanced feel. Also went to a changeup in the 72-73 mph range with feel for the bottom of the zone.

With the win, Sandburg advances to the Regional Championship game where they will travel to face Lincoln-Way East on Monday, June 7th. First pitch is slotted for 4:30 pm. 

Notable Performances:

+ Danny Durkin (Sandburg): 6.2 innings, 1 ER, 7 Ks, 0 hits, 2-3 at the plate 
+ John-Michael Scumaci (Sandburg): 1-3, 2-run HR
+ Michael Pustelnik (Andrew): 5.1 innings, 3 Ks, 1 ER 

For more in-depth notes from the games - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog.

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