Having already won three summer state titles in 2002, 2004 and 2006 along with an IHSA Class AA championship in 2003, the Lyons Township baseball team is gunning for more hardware this spring. The Lions’ “Drive for five” title-run started in auspicious fashion with a dramatic 3-1 win over Montini last week.
Trailing the host Broncos 1-0 in the seventh inning, C.J. Esposito smashed a two-run double to trigger a three-run rally en route to the 3-1 victory. The win figures to be the first of many for a talented, veteran LT squad that went 28-10 last spring and 19-10-3 (16-2 with its starters) during the summer.
“Each year, our two goals are to win [the West Suburban Silver] Conference and go as far as possible in the state tournament,” said LT coach George Ushela, who holds an impressive 218-56 career record at LT. “Our kids believe going as far as we can means winning a state title. We still focus on playing one game at a time, but our players have big dreams.”
The Lions certainly have a dream lineup highlighted by a deep, versatile pitching staff. Esposito returns for his senior season, fresh off a 6-2 record with a 3.53 ERA and 43 strikeouts/12 walks over 37 2/3 innings pitched in 2007. Brian Lorenz is another capable starter, who finished 4-4 with a 2.45 ERA and 43 strikeouts last year.
Ryan McMillin, who throws in the mid-80’s, went 2-0 with two saves and fanned 15 batters last season. He will be one of many other strong arms available for Ushela including Brian Lehmann, Don Cizek and Aseem Chataut. Three-sport star Ed Viliunas, a returning all-conference player, will see action out of the bullpen.
“We’re pretty deep in pitching,” Ushela said. “C.J. won two games for us [during the 2006 summer championship] and Brian was our top pitcher last summer.”
Viliunas, who hit .348 with eight home runs, 35 RBIs, and 23 runs last year, also will be used as catcher, third baseman and designated hitter. Brad Winkler is an excellent defensive catcher who has improved his hitting.
Esposito (15 RBIs, 15 runs in 2007) will start at first base with second baseman Mike Callaghan, shortstop McMillin and third baseman Chas Straface rounding out the infield.
Lorenz, an all-conference returning player coming off a .327 average that resulted in 23 RBIs, anchors a well stocked outfield featuring Kyle Goethals, Brian Trefil, Brian Zotti, Fred Larson and John Simoncelli.
“The last few years, our players weren’t quite as formidable in terms of their height and size,” Ushela said. “Those teams were formidable in how well they played. This team has a lot of big guys who also know how to play the game.”
The Lions, who earned a share of the conference title with Oak Park last spring, likely will battle the Huskies again and possibly Downers Grove North for conference.
“Like Oak Park and Downers Grove North, I think we have some very talented kids and good pitching,” Ushela said. “From top to bottom, our conference is solid.”
