By Mike Clark
It wasn’t just another conference game for Derek Johnson and Morgan Park.
Friday’s matchup at Jones was part of the Jackie Robinson Baseball Weekend, organized by the Public League and the Chicago Baseball and Education Academy.
And it was hosted by UIC’s Granderson Stadium, a well-maintained facility considered by many to be the most picturesque non-professional baseball venue in the city.
“I was pretty excited,” Johnson said. “A lot of people don’t get a chance to play on a turf field, let alone a college turf field. (And) I definitely got a look at the skyline.”
But Johnson didn’t get too caught up with the atmosphere to the detriment of getting his job done. The right-hander worked 6 2/3 innings to earn the win as Morgan Park won 7-4. The Alcorn State recruit allowed nine hits, four runs (three earned) and just one walk while striking out six. Quincy Winston struck out the only hitter he faced to pick up the save.
“Everything was working,” Johnson said.
Nothing new about that, according to Mustangs coach Ernest Radcliffe.
“He’s been throwing like that for the last three outings,” Radcliffe said. “He’s prepared, helps to lead the team.”
Morgan Park (5-4, 2-1 Jackie Robinson South) staked Johnson to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first and Jones (10-6, 4-2) never caught up. The Mustangs earned a split of the series after losing 5-4 to Jones on Wednesday.
Evion Rodriguez had an RBI single in the first for Morgan Park, Jayvion Price stole home, and Trinity Lovett and Gabriel Ramirez drew bases-loaded walks.
Rodriguez added an RBI double in the fourth and also walked, while Bernabe Astorga III contributed an RBI double in the fifth.
“Evion is tearing the cover off the ball,” Radcliffe said. “I think he’s hitting like .671.”
Brennen Jones doubled, tripled, drove in one run and scored another for Jones. Jones is limited to DH duty by injury after being slotted in as the Eagles’ No. 1 pitcher and starting third baseman.
Ellis Alexander also had two hits for Jones.
“We didn’t play up to our standards today, but it’s still an honor,” Eagles coach Dave Rosene said of being part of the Jackie Robinson Baseball Weekend.
The Eagles did try to chip away at the deficit, getting within 4-3 and 5-4.
“That’s promising,” said Rozene, who recently picked up his 600th career win in his 36th full season as a head coach. “But we didn’t play good baseball, especially in the outfield. Walked too many guys, hit too many guys.”
