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Sports

ETHS Baseball Primes For Post-Season Run

The Wildkits appear primed for a post-season run with help from many on the team, including seniors Alex Vergara and Brandon Vamarasi as well as a standout newcomer to the varsity squad, junior Joe Franke.

For the Evanston Wildkits, this baseball season can be summed up in one word: progress. After a below .500 2012 campaign, Evanston Township High School is now primed for a playoff run this year, as seniors and underclassmen have all had a share of the success.

For the first time since 2008, ETHS has won more than 20 games. The record stands now at 21-12, following Wednesday’s 7-6 victory over Glenbrook South, which featured a three run rally in the bottom of the sixth as the Wildkits defeated the Titans 7-6.

That was a great win, but not quite as spectacular as their 20th victory of the season this Tuesday, when pitcher Hunter Bailey tossed a no hitter in his first varsity start over the team’s main rival, Loyola Academy. Clearly, these last two games have been a sweet way to top off a season where Coach Frank Consiglio has sensed a more confident team.

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“The athletes believe in their ability more this year,” Consiglio said. “They trust themselves and know they are going to do better,”

Alex Vergara and infielder/outfielder Brandon Vamarasi have both had strong seasons in their senior years and have earned the respect of Consiglio. “They just both play the game hard,” he said.

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There has also been an infusion of new blood, notably in the form of left-fielder and designated hitter Joe Franke, who has combined a determination to excel on the field with a strong performance in the classroom.

Franke, 17, a junior, is enjoying a strong initial varsity season. A last-season slump shaved some points off his batting average, down to .344, but that mark was above .400 for a good chunk of the year. The batting average comes with 22 hits and 13 runs batted in.

In terms of defense, Franke isn’t likely to win a lot of races, yet he thinks a strong arm makes up for whatever speed he doesn’t have.

For Franke, who has been playing baseball since he was five, this first year of varsity ball is another step in a lifelong dream to pursue a family heritage. His grandfather, Hal, was offered minor league contracts but turned them down to pursue a law career that eventually made him a prominent Cincinnati attorney. That connection to the Queen City makes it not surprising that his grandson is a big Cincinnati Reds fan and his favorite player is Joey Votto, the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player.

Franke attended St. Athanasius School and then Nichols Middle School before enrolling at ETHS. His goal of making the varsity team came through this year after many rigorous sessions in the weight room and making the changes in his batting approach.

Due to Mather Nature, Franke did not make his varsity debut in Evanston. During a nasty streak of wet and dreary weather at home, the Wildkits’s season started in Vero Beach, FL, in their annual spring excursion to a tournament. ETHS went 6-1 on the trip against teams from all over the country, which foreshadowed the team’s improvement in regular season play.

“That set the tone for the season,” Consiglio said.  “Getting to know each other and the feeling out process helps you win on the field.”

Another big moment occurred during an April 29 victory against non-conference opponent Deerfield, when ETHS was down 8-2 after three innings but came to score seven in the fourth inning on their way to a 9-8 triumph. Franke had one of his better games that day as he went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

As for the Wildkits and the rest of the team, the single elimination IHSA playoffs start next Thursday.  Regardless of what happens, it has been a good year for ETHS.

 “We have a confident group that does a lot of things well,” Consiglio said. “They are confident and they take a lot of pride in what they are doing on the field and they are having success.”

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