Dedric Wright: 'I think everyone out here saw this was probably the best game we’ve played all year.'
DeKALB – Sycamore starting pitcher Austin Steele carried a perfect game into the fourth inning Monday against DeKalb at Northern Illinois University’s Ralph McKinzie Field.
But then he walked leadoff hitter Matthew Searls and everything went south for Sycamore. The Barbs rattled Steele and the Spartans for eight straight runs, including five in the fourth inning, to defeat Sycamore, 8-5, in Game 1 of a three-game series between the rivals.
The Barbs’ victory ended their 10-game losing streak. DeKalb coach Dedric Wright labeled the win as his team’s best game of the season.
“Man,” Wright said before taking a deep breath. “I can eat my dinner happy now.
“We just started hitting the ball (Monday). Our guys made some big plays, and we were able to get it done.”
Sycamore picked apart DeKalb ace Bryce Wheeler for four early runs. Kevin Rink hit an RBI single to bring in Zach Carlsen in the first inning. Derrick Crome scored on a passed ball in the second inning, and the Spartans added two more runs in the third.
Wheeler, however, maintained his composure and earned the win behind DeKalb’s solid defense and revamped offense. He lasted 61/3 innings, giving up four hits, while walking four and striking out two.
“He settled down really well, and I was just hoping he would have some quick innings,” Wright said. “He was able to give us that. For him to last [until the seventh inning], that was big.”
The game took a 180-degree turn in the fourth inning.
Searls started the rally by getting on base off a five-pitch walk. Two batters later, John Brei ended Steele’s no-hitter with a double to right field. Both scored after a sacrifice fly from Max Lange and a single by Wheeler. DeKalb tied the game at 4 when Sycamore’s Connor Smith dropped a fly ball in center field with two outs.
During the next at-bat, Jacob Garland smacked an RBI double to right field, giving DeKalb a 5-4 lead. The Barbs never looked back.
“Early on, I just wasn’t hitting my spots,” Wheeler said. “The team really rallied behind me. That was the difference and what changed the momentum and my mentality out there.”
Steele took the loss after lasting five innings. He gave up seven runs and six hits and struck out four.
Sycamore coach Jason Cavanaugh struggled to explain his team’s downfall in the fourth inning. “I don’t know what happened to him,” Cavanaugh said. “He was lights out. (DeKalb) looked like they had no chance against him.
“It’s a recurring theme with us. When we need somebody to step up and make a play, we never do. I thought we had a couple chances to get out of that five-run inning, and we couldn’t do it.”
By the numbers: DeKalb’s Jacob Garland went 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBIs. Jason Klemm earned the two-out save.
Beyond the stats: Monday was DeKalb assistant coach Jeremy Morton’s birthday. After the game, several DeKalb players soaked Morton with water to celebrate his birthday and the win.
They said it: “We did a lot with two outs in the fourth inning,” Wright said. “We had a lot of big hits. We were able to capitalize on one of their mistakes and we were able to hit, run and steal some bases. …I think everyone out here saw this was probably the best game we’ve played all year.”
Up next: The Barbs and Spartans play the second game of the three-game series at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sycamore. DeKalb will host Thursday’s game.