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J. T. Mazalewski did what J.T. Mazalewski does.<\/p>\n
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The Wilson senior right-hander went six strong innings, allowing just four hits and two runs to lead the Bruins past Roosevelt, 4-2, on Tuesday evening at Blair Field.<\/p>\n
There was nothing flashy about his performance, but simply said, Mazalewski is a gutty guy who knows how to win games.<\/p>\n
Mazalewski (7-3, 1.45 ERA) took a couple innings to get sharp, but then induced ground ball after ground ball and the Bruins made the plays behind him.<\/p>\n
“It was my first start in the playoffs and it takes a little time to get comfortable, but I felt good out there,” Mazalewski said. “Once we got the lead, I was able to settle down and let my defense make plays behind me.”<\/p>\n
The big knock was No. 9 hitter Sean Buckle’s two-out triple that plated two Bruins and they never relinquished the lead.<\/p>\n
Mazalewski’s teammates and coaches couldn’t be more proud of his performance in a season that saw Tommy Nance, Cody Harris and Josh Perez miss time on the mound due to injury.<\/p>\n
“You know what is great about J.T. is that he didn’t have his best stuff today, but anytime they got a runner in scoring position, he just battled and got us out of innings,” catcher Tanner Perkins said. “He’s not overpowering, he’s just clutch. He’s kept us in every game he’s thrown and has pitched even better than his record would indicate.”<\/p>\n
Mazalewski has been able to keep the ball low and has made quality hitters look awkward for much of the season.<\/p>\n
“I told J.T. during the day today that I just wanted him to do what he does, and he did it,” Wilson coach Andy Hall said. “He is able to throw five or six-pitch innings and can make people look bad at the plate, because he is in such control of what he’s doing.”<\/p>\n
Hall probably didn’t need the drama of Tommy Nance’s seventh inning, where the tall Bruins’ ace got the first two batters out and then loaded the bases.<\/p>\n
But Nance was able to get out of the inning after a meek pop up to Danny Juarez to secure the win.<\/p>\n
“Of course I would have liked to have stayed in and gotten the complete game victory, but I definitely think Coach Hall made the best decision for our team to win the game by bringing Tommy in to close it.<\/p>\n
Maybe that’s why Hall has a CIF and National Title to his name.<\/p>\n
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