Burbank, IL (March 31, 2011) - For the past fifteen years the Reavis and St. Rita baseball teams have played an annual rivalry game called "The Battle for 77th Street". The winning squad takes home the travelling Bronze Glove Trophy for the year. For the last decade, the games have been one-sided, to say the least, and the trophy has not seen the halls of Reavis High School since 2000. However, that all changed today when the 2011 Rams defeated the Mustangs 7-6 at Czarnecki Field.
The Rams got on the scoreboard first when David Beltran doubled in the bottom of the second inning and eventually scored on Jake Stano's infield single. St. Rita answered with two runs each in the third and fourth innings off Reavis starter Garret Rhodes.
Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Rams' offense started to heat up. With two outs and Abe Trevino on first base, Matt Javorski singled to center field. He was followed by Mike Falbo who sent a 3-2 pitch in the left field corner for a double that scored both runners. Later in the frame, Falbo scored on an interference call, and after two walks to Rob Rabakozi and Brandon Hines, Alex Morales smacked a double over the center fielder's head, plating both Rabakozi and Hines. To finish the six-run inning, Beltran singled home Morales.
St. Rita scored two unearned runs in the sixth inning off reliever Brandon Hines to trim the Reavis lead to 7-6. Closer Rob Rabakozi came in to pitch the seventh inning against the Mustangs' 3-4-5 hitters. After recording two quick outs, Rob walked the five hitter, who then stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. Rabakozi ended the St. Rita rally by striking out the next hitter and preserving the win for the Rams.
Brandon Hines (2-0; 2 IP; 0 ER; 2 K) picked up the victory in relief and Rabakozi (1 IP; 2 K; 0 H) collected his first save of the year. Starter Garret Rhodes had a no-decision, but pitched well.
The Rams take on Lincoln Way East in a double header at 10:00 on Saturday at Czarnecki Field.
TO VIEW THE BOX SCORE AND PLAY-BY-PLAY, CLICK HERE.