OPRF baseball, boys volleyball win conference titles

The Oak Park and River Forest High School baseball team clinched a share of the West Suburban Silver championship with a 5-3 victory over Lyons Township, May 22, the program’s first title since 2022.

“This is special,” said OPRF coach Kevin Campbell. “These seniors are the guys I had as freshmen, so seeing them come together, play how they do, and really embrace the team culture has been one of the best coaching experiences I’ve ever had.”

Although technically a road game, it was played at OPRF because of wet field conditions at LT. Peter Farren’s two-run homer in the top of the second gave the Huskies (25-10, 13-5 in WSC Silver) a 2-1 lead. OPRF tacked on three more runs in the third with a two-run double from Ethan Moore and an RBI single from Brady Green.

Starting pitcher Cam Barnes went six innings and allowed three runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Dino Pantazopoulos took the mound in the seventh and retired LT in order for the save.

OPRF, which shares the WSC Silver crown with Downers Grove North, is the fourth seed at the IHSA Class 4A Reavis Sectional. The Huskies, who are hosting a regional, meet Jones at 4:30 p.m., May 28. A victory means advancement to the title game against the Reavis-St. Ignatius winner, May 31, at noon.

“They’re a one-day-at-a-time team,” Campbell said. “At the start of the day and at the end of the day, we turn the page.”

OPRF boys volleyball

OPRF head coach Justin Cousin played on the 2010 team, which won the program’s last WSC Silver title – that is, until this year. The Huskies ended a 15-year drought with a 25-14, 25-16 victory over Proviso West on Senior Night, May 20.

“It’s been a long time,” Cousin said. “There’s been a lot of communication and hard work in practice, as well as attention to detail.”

OPRF (28-4, 5-1) is the top seed in the Hinsdale Central Sectional and will also host a regional. The Huskies faced either Chicago Christian or Richards on May 27 in the semifinal, after press time. A victory would put OPRF in the regional final, May 29, at 6 p.m.

The sectional is loaded with several state title contenders such as Brother Rice, Lyons Township, Sandburg, and York. Cousin knows the Huskies will need to be at their best.

“Anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” he said. “Honestly, whoever wins [the sectional] will have beaten the best teams. This is one of the most balanced sectional fields I’ve seen.”

Softball

Elyssa Hasapis had four hits and Maura Carmody drove in four runs as OPRF rallied late to defeat Fenwick 12-10 at the Priory in River Forest, May 22.

“It was a wild game,” said OPRF coach J.P. Coughlin. “Both teams played pretty well, a lot of good defensive plays and timely hitting.”

Trailing 10-9 entering the seventh and down to their final out, the Huskies (24-8) tied the game on Gloria Hronek’s single, then went ahead on Hasapis’ single. Hronek also scored on the play due to an error by Fenwick shortstop Bella Bigham.

OPRF is the top seed in its own Class 4A sectional. The Huskies met either Proviso East or Senn in a regional semifinal at Leyden Township, May 27, after press time. Assuming a win, OPRF would meet either Leyden or Morton in the title game, May 30, at 4:30 p.m.

“I like our chances,” Coughlin said. “We’ll be a handful for teams if we play our best softball.”

Bigham and Lowery hit home runs and Gabriella Simon had three hits for Fenwick (12-11). The Friars, who took third in last year’s Class 3A state tournament, are seeded second at the Montini Catholic Sectional and also host a regional. In an oddity, the regional has just three schools and Fenwick has a bye to the final, where it meets either Elmwood Park or Intrinsic Charter on May 30 at 4 p.m.

“We know what we need to do to be a competitive program going into the postseason,” said Fenwick coach Valerie Jisa. “Everyone needs to step up, keep their heads down, and get back to work. The talent is here.”

Boys basketball

Fenwick coach David Fergerson was named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association District Seven Coach of the Year, April 29. In his second season, Fergerson guided the Friars to a 23-11 record and the title game of the Class 3A Little Village Sectional.

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