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Baseball: Jacob Bachio, Oswego Cats find their hitting stride against Joliet

Eight-run inning keys 13-10 win

The Dirtbags (15-7, 11-7) grabbed another run in the top of the fifth before the hosts broke things open with their eight-run rally. Grant Argyilan, Clay Schuler and Bachio each drove in two runs. Schuler’s and Bachio’s came with two outs. “Our energy has been lacking all year, but after that [inning], you could see the whole team was into it,” said Bachio, who went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. “Everyone kind of fed off each other and gave us the confidence to put together a good inning and to continue having good at-bats.” (Sean King)

By LAURA MEDINA

The Dirtbags (15-7, 11-7) grabbed another run in the top of the fifth before the hosts broke things open with their eight-run rally. Grant Argyilan, Clay Schuler and Bachio each drove in two runs. Schuler’s and Bachio’s came with two outs. “Our energy has been lacking all year, but after that [inning], you could see the whole team was into it,” said Bachio, who went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. “Everyone kind of fed off each other and gave us the confidence to put together a good inning and to continue having good at-bats.” (Sean King)

Joliet tacked on two more runs in the sixth and another in the eighth, but Oswego responded with two of its own for a 13-8 lead. The Dirtbags attempted a comeback in the ninth with a two-out, two-run double from Bailey Schultz, but it wasn’t enough. Cats left-hander Stephen Sewruk earned a no-decision. Austen Kapusinksi entered in the fifth, giving up a hit before fanning the next three batters. (Sean King)

Ty Liaromatis tackled the next two frames, while Kendall Interial pitched the final two for Oswego, which has won five of its last seven and sits third overall in the North Division. Meanwhile, South-leading Joliet dropped its season-high third straight. Between rain-shortened outings, washouts and lineup complications, the Cats haven’t had the season they expected. Perhaps their current run can boost them to a strong finish. (Sean King)

“We hoped for better at the beginning of the year,” Cats field manager Todd Miller said. “We put together a really good team, but the problem is that we’ve had a lot of lineup issues. “We struggle a little defensively because we’re young, but the kids can hit; they can play, but we’ve just got to get them here to play. Pitching hasn’t been the issue - we’re just slow starters with the bat. Until about a week and a half ago, we were hitting about .200 as a team.” (Sean King)

Miller’s team is now batting around .253 and has racked up 63 runs while going 5-2 in its last seven games. “I think this gets us in the right direction,” he said. “It was good to beat [Joliet]; they’re a very good team.” (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Nick Strysik (29) hits a fly ball against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Jake Knoebel (23) singles against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Vince Schwartz (11) singles against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Jake Knoebel (23) plays a popup against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Grant Argyilan (42) singles against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Grant Argyilan (42) catches a fly ball against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Jake Knoebel (23) scores a run against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Anthony Fumagalli (8) beats the throw to the plate to score a run against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Jacob Bachio (21) watches the play at the plate after Oswego scores two runs on a drop third strike against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Clay Schuler (37) doubles in two runs against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Vince Schwartz (11) singles against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Nick Strysik (29) doubles in a run against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Austen Kapusinski (27) delivers a pitch against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)

Oswego Cats Stephen Sewruk (16) delivers a pitch against the Joliet Dirtbags in Oswego July 11. (Sean King)