Stevenson’s Chris Iannuzzi delivers a pitch against New Trier during the Class 4A Schaumburg Supersectional at Wintrust Field on Monday, June 5, 2023. (Trent Sprague, News-Sun)
Chris Iannuzzi went to the mound one more time for his Stevenson teammates on Monday.
After the Class 4A Schaumburg Supersectional at Wintrust Field, the senior right-hander tried to put into words what that meant to him.
“I bleed green for these guys,” he said.
Dressed in a gray uniform trimmed with the school’s green and gold, Iannuzzi did his part against New Trier, allowing one run over 3 ⅔ innings and getting one of the Patriots’ six hits.
But the Trevians pulled out a 2-0 win behind 6-foot-5 junior right-hander Justin Wood, the son of assistant coach and former Chicago Cubs star Kerry Wood.
“That was a real good New Trier team we played out there, but we gave it all we had and just came up short,” Iannuzzi said. “I would do anything for my guys, and I’m just upset we couldn’t get one more victory to get to state.”
Stevenson (30-10) couldn’t get a run across against Justin Wood, who allowed five hits over 4 ⅓ innings, and relievers Beau McBride and Trevor Byrnes.
“We had some chances, including a big one with the bases loaded, but just couldn’t get that one big hit we needed to get us going,” Stevenson coach Nick Skala said.
The Trevians (25-7) got to Iannuzzi with a pair of doubles in the second inning, but the Southeastern College commit otherwise limited their opportunities before running out of gas and walking two batters in the fourth. Nicholas Rayyan got the final out to end that threat.
“I thought I pitched OK against a good-hitting lineup, but we didn’t get enough offense ourselves to get anything going,” Iannuzzi said.
New Trier’s Evan Olesker, who drove in both runs, hit an RBI single in the sixth for insurance.
Despite their loss, Iannuzzi said the Patriots can be proud of what they accomplished this season, including their first sectional title in eight years.
“I grew up playing with most of these guys since we were sophomores,” Iannuzzi said. “I loved going to war with these guys. That’s something I will always remember.”
Skala agreed this team will not be forgotten.
“They accomplished so much and will be the blueprint of teams to come at Stevenson,” Skala said. “I’ve coached eight of these players for the last three years, and all eight of them will be going to play in college somewhere. It’s a special group.”
Iannuzzi, who went 4-4 with a 3.29 ERA and hit .408 with four home runs and 37 RBIs, said the seniors will always be close.
“We were all friends who hung out together and made this season really great for all of us,” he said. “Even though we won’t play together again, no can take away from us what we accomplished.
“I know our younger players will step up and carry on our tradition.”
Darren Day is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
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Originally published at Tribune News Service