On a mission
Bilecki brothers both pitch scoreless innings as Marist overpowers Richards in regional semifinals
As a senior this season, George Bilecki has been Marist’s leadoff hitter. He has played a strong center field and stepped up as one of his team’s top pitchers.
Perhaps his favorite of the many roles he has played, however, is that of mentor to Frank, his sophomore brother and fellow pitcher.
Frank Bilecki, who was called up to the varsity about a month into the season, has become an important part of the RedHawks’ pitching staff.
“It’s surreal having him on the squad,” George said. “He worked his butt off all offseason. I saw it. I figured he might get the call-up. When he did, it was awesome.
“Words can’t really describe it. Playing your senior season with your younger brother is amazing, and what makes it better is that he’s really good.”
The Bilecki brothers each pitched two scoreless innings Wednesday. George also contributed two hits, two RBIs and two runs as host Marist rolled to a 10-1 victory over Richards in a Class 3A regional semifinal.
“You dream about stuff like this,” George said of both brothers pitching in a playoff win. “I’m speechless right now. I’m so proud of him and the work he puts in.”
Indiana recruit Cal Sefcik went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs, while Justin Lang added two RBIs for fourth-seeded Marist (18-17).
The RedHawks will take on the winner of Thursday’s game between Hinsdale South and Crete-Monee at 11 a.m. Saturday in the regional championship game.
Sean Cody finished 2-for-3 and Neil Glynn drove in the lone run for 13th-seeded Richards (9-22). George Bilecki has pitched 24
⅓ innings this season, compiling a 2.30 ERA with two saves. Frank (3-2) has been even better with a 2.04 ERA in 34 ⅓ innings.
“George is the main guy who pushes me,” Frank said. “Whenever I’m down, I’m looking at him and he’s the one who gets me up.
“There’s still a lot of learning going on for me. Being able to come up and show what I’ve got to these older guys is great.”
Marist coach Kevin Sefcik expects to lean on the Bilecki brothers as long as the RedHawks continue to advance in the postseason.
“We pulled up Frank and he did a great job, pitched in a lot of conference games and made all-conference,” Kevin Sefcik said. “He’s got a good curveball. He’s done well against some tough teams. George has been solid for us all year.
“Right now, we’re kind of using three or four guys a game and seeing who’s on. That’s kind of our plan.”
Marist took control Wednesday with a five-run second inning. Lang had an RBI single, George Bilecki drove in two runs with a base hit and Cal Sefcik had a two-run double.
The outburst was started by the bottom of the lineup as No. 8 hitter Quinn Duffy bunted for a single to load the bases ahead of the RBI single by No. 9 hitter Lang.
“I think the biggest play of the game was that bunt hit to load
the bases,” Cal Sefcik said of Duffy. “If he doesn’t do that, maybe we only get one run or two instead of five.”
Marist added four runs in the fourth. Cal Sefcik then capped his big performance with a solo homer in the fifth to make it 10-1.
After an up-anddown regular season, the RedHawks hope Wednesday was the start of a big run.
“The Cinderella story starts now,” George Bilecki said. “The postseason is a whole different story, and we’re going to keep swinging the bats and making plays.”