Dressler, Devils end OPRF streak

Updated: May 16, 2011 9:46PM

Adam Dressler’s three-hit victory over Oak Park-River Forest earned the sophomore pitcher a shower from his teammates with the bench’s water cooler.

Hinsdale Central hasn’t had many reasons to celebrate this season, but the Devils took a rare opportunity Monday. Dressler was drenched after the game and one teammate splashed water over his head a second time with whatever water remained in the Gatorade container.

Dressler’s complete game raised his record to 5-2 and ended the Huskies’ 12-game win streak with a 4-2 victory in Hinsdale. On Saturday, OPRF defeated Hinsdale Central 13-3.

The three-game series ends at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Oak Park in the West Suburban Silver finale for both teams.

Illinois State-bound Matt Anderson drove in three of the Devils’ runs with a pair of home runs to give him 10 on the season. But Anderson was more impressed by Dressler, a 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander. As one of three sophomores on the roster, Dressler gets picked on as evidenced by the post-game bath.

“Dressler has been throwing good all year. He shows that he deserves to be here with us,” Anderson said.

The Devils (13-8, 8-9) took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning on Anderson’s two-run homer to center field, which drove in Dressler (2-for-3). Anderson added a solo homer to right field in the fifth.

“[Dressler] is somebody who has worked extremely hard,” Hinsdale Central coach Justin Cronin said. “He carries himself with a demeanor that is unflappable. Age doesn’t matter to him. He’s here to compete.”

OPRF (23-9, 10-7) lost for the first time since suffering a 14-4 defeat to conference champion Lyons on April 29. Losing pitcher William Polley drove in the Huskies’ only runs on a two-run homer in the top of the third. Polley, batting ninth, hit his first home run of the season. OPRF’s only other hit came in the sixth, a single by Jack Picchiotti.

Dressler walked two batters, but struck out nine. Polley gave up the two home runs to Anderson and allowed another run in the second on Phil Zarcone’s sacrifice fly, which brought across Jacques Camalick with one out.

“We needed a better approach at the plate,” OPRF coach Chris Ledbetter said. “We needed a better two-strike approach today and we did not do that.”

The fourth-seeded Huskies open the Class 4A playoffs at 4:30 p.m. May 25 against 13th-seeded Proviso East or 20th-seeded Urban Prep.

“As long as we produce runs, we’ll be all right,” Polley said.

Hinsdale Central, a No. 18 seed, plays at 13th-seeded Plainfield East at 4:30 p.m. May 23 to open the playoffs. The winner plays No. 4 seed and defending state champion Naperville Central on May 25 at Hinsdale Central.

“I think we’re capable [of winning]. I like this group and I like our lineup. If we swing the bat, we’ll get our confidence. We are capable of a deep playoff run,” Cronin said.

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