Manteno Employs Aggressive Baserunning and Potent Offense to Defeat Peotone 13-3

The Manteno varsity baseball team utilized a balanced offensive attack, flawless defense, and a relentless presence on the basepaths to secure a 13-3 home conference victory over Peotone on Tuesday. Applying constant pressure from the opening pitch, Manteno forced a run-rule finish in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Manteno set the tone early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The hosts then widened the gap with a four-run second inning, taking advantage of their speed to constantly put runners in scoring position. Manteno racked up an incredible nine stolen bases as a team, utilizing aggressive baserunning to exploit Peotone’s defense, which committed four errors on the afternoon.

Peotone showed signs of life in the top of the third inning. After struggling to find an answer for Manteno starting pitcher Carter Nunley—who tossed two hitless, scoreless innings with four strikeouts—the Peotone bats finally broke through against the bullpen. Kayden Derkacy delivered the highlight of the day for the visitors, blasting a three-run home run to cut the deficit in half and bring the score to 6-3.

However, Manteno quickly halted Peotone’s momentum, answering immediately with two runs of their own in the bottom of the third.

Tyler Buehler was the catalyst for the Manteno offense, turning in a perfect day at the plate. The senior went 2-for-2 with a triple, two runs scored, two RBIs, and a pair of walks. Logan Bufford also delivered a heavy blow, driving in a team-high three runs on a 2-for-4 performance. Connor Harrod set the table consistently, collecting three hits and crossing the plate three times, while Jake Stevens chipped in two hits, including a double, and scored twice.

B. Jedlicka earned the win in relief for Manteno, tossing the final three innings and striking out four while navigating the brief Peotone rally.

Manteno’s offense pulled away late, pushing three runs across in the fourth inning to stretch the lead to 11-3. In the bottom of the fifth, the hosts manufactured two final runs to reach the 10-run threshold and end the game early, sealing the 13-3 conference triumph.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• 1st Inning: Manteno opens the scoring with a pair of runs to take early control. (Manteno 2, Peotone 0)

• 2nd Inning: Manteno extends its lead with a four-run frame. (Manteno 6, Peotone 0)

• 3rd Inning: Peotone gets on the board with a three-run home run by Kayden Derkacy; Manteno answers with two runs in the bottom half. (Manteno 8, Peotone 3)

• 4th Inning: A three-run surge gives Manteno a commanding advantage. (Manteno 11, Peotone 3)

• 5th Inning: Manteno tacks on two final runs to trigger the run rule and walk away with the victory. (Manteno 13, Peotone 3)

Individual Statistics

PITCHING:

• Manteno: C. Nunley (Jr) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K; B. Jedlicka (Jr) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.

• Peotone: A. Chenoweth – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 2 K; J. Iozzo – 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K; E. Bialko – 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.

HITTING:

• Manteno: T. Buehler (Sr): 2-2, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB; C. Harrod (Sr): 3-4, 3 R; L. Bufford (So): 2-4, 3 RBI, 1 R; J. Stevens (Sr): 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R; F. Jordan (Jr): 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB.

• Peotone: K. Derkacy: 1-2, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB; C. Peppers: 1-2.

BASERUNNING:

• Manteno: G. Arrigo (2 SB), C. Harrod (2 SB), B. Campbell (2 SB), G. Phelan (1 SB), L. Bufford (1 SB), J. Stevens (1 SB).

• Peotone: D. McMaster (2 SB), L. Tierney (1 SB), T. Leitelt (1 SB).

—photo by James Piacentini

—photo by James Piacentini

—photo by James Piacentini

—photo by James Piacentini

—photo by James Piacentini

—photo by James Piacentini

—photo by James Piacentini

—photo by James Piacentini