By Bobby Narang
Lyons High School senior pitcher, Tucker King, had win No. 15 on his mind Monday, May 12.
Earlier this week, King became the all-time leader in wins with 14 victories in Lyons’ storied baseball program.
He entered the seventh inning against Downers Grove North Trojans just three outs away from a signature win in a vital three-game series in West Suburban Silver Division action.
But the Trojans scattered two hits, took advantage of two errors to score two runs to knock off the Lions, 3-2.
King, a Cincinnati recruit, missed a chance to add to his career total.
“The win record means a lot to me,” King said. “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve dreamt of breaking at least one of LT’s sports records, so doing that was pretty cool.”
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound righthander is having a solid senior season with a 3-3 record and 35 strikeouts.
“Tucker would definitely like to get a few more wins,” Lyons coach Kevin Diete said. “He’s faced some really tough competition, like Brother Rice and York. He just battles and likes challenges.”
King said he’s maintained his focus and been pitching with consistency.
“I have just been missing some spots in the strike zone that have been given me the results I haven’t been looking for, but I still feel great,” King said. “I’m still pounding the zone, pitching with confidence and staying the course.”
Diete said closer Mercer Krantz is helping the pitching staff with his late-game efficiency. Krantz has pitched 21 innings this season – one short of his total from last season.
“Mercer is shutting the door or holding the game tight for us,” Diete said. “He embraces that role. We’re hoping he can continue with his role moving into the playoffs.”
Downers Grove North has an ace of its own in developing sophomore right-hander Colin Doyle. He picked up the win on Monday, pitching seven innings and yielding just five hits and fanning seven.
“It was a fun game and good opportunity to go against (King),” Doyle said. “I didn’t have my best stuff, but I battled through it and got the job done. This gives me confidence.”
The Lions aim to bounce-back from the tough loss by relying on a solid group of hitters and pitchers.
Lyons senior Dominic Pisciotti is providing some electricity in the batting order and delivering on the mound. Pisciotti is batting a team-high .300 with a .511 on-base percentage. In the circle, Pisciotti is 3-1 with 24 strikeouts and a 3.80 ERA.
“Dom is having a quietly good year from the hitting and pitching standpoint,” Diete said. “He’s getting hits when we need them. He’s been a leader in the field and on the mound.”
Pisciotti, who played quarterback on the football team, said he worked on becoming a stronger person on the mental side to handle the ups and downs with baseball.
“This season has been good well so far,” Pisciotti said. “I’ve been doing everything I can to help the team win, whether it’s hitting or pitching. One thing I’ve been doing better this year than last year is my approach, playing the game with no fear of failure and having a chip on my shoulder that I’m better than the opponent.”