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Bucs fly over J-Hawks for first win of season
By Bob Kopp
BDR Sports Correspondent
BELVIDERE – Exploding for four runs in the second inning and five more in the fourth behind a dominating complete game three-hitter by junior Austin Revolinski, Belvidere beat Jefferson 11-1 to notch its first conference win of the early season.
Revolinski took a no-hitter into the third inning before two hits by the J-Hawks with one out produced their only run of the game.
Belvidere opened scoring in the bottom of the first when junior Anthony Cottichio singled, advanced on some sloppy play by the J-Hawks, and crossed home on another single by junior slugger Josh Kugler.
Dormant bats suddenly awakened coupled with aggressive base-running engineered by Head Coach Andrew Walters to lead to four runs in the bottom of the second. Junior Nico Reza got things rolling with a single followed by senior Ryan Snyder who walked.
Coach Walters called for a successful double steal and both scored on a long double by senior Drake Dutz. Revolinski then bounced one off the fence for another double to knock in Dutz and then scored on a sharp single up the middle by senior Erik Moraza.
Kugler singled and scored in the bottom of the third on a passed ball after stealing second and advancing to third on more sloppy play by the J-Hawks.
BHS ended any hopes of a Jefferson comeback in the bottom of the fourth with five more runs commencing when sophomore Brady Hauser, recently called up from JV Head Coach John Fish’s squad, lashed a double to left and scored on successive errors.
Revolinski continued his team-leading hot-hitting with a single and scored on another single by Moraza. Cottichio then reached first on another error and courtesy runner senior Troy Snyder scored on more Jefferson miscues. Senior Kyle Kozlowski walked and then scored on more errors as the Bucs built an insurmountable lead.
Revolinski was in complete control throughout the game; mixing pitches and growing stronger as the game progressed as evidenced by notching his three strikeouts in the last two innings.
It came as no surprise for Revolinski to lead the charge for the Bucs first win in the NIC-10. With senior defensive stalwart and team leader Matt Kopp still sidelined with a broken foot that coaches hope will mend in time for regional action, Revolinski showed the notorious tenacity that enabled him to lead the Bucs to the playoffs in football as quarterback and basketball team to its first regional championship in over a quarter of a century.
Clearly emerging as one of the most dominant three-sport athletes in the history of BHS, Revolinski should follow his first-team all-conference football recognition with the same on the diamond. Knowledgeable basketball fans remain baffled and contemptuous about the obvious leader, most consistent scorer and rebounder, and among the most dominating players in the NIC-10 not receiving comparable recognition this year for play on the court.
