In Cold Weather, Travis Hitting Has Providence Red Hot

1. (3-0): Wow, he made an out. Still, Celtics ride Sam Travis’ 9-for-10 hitting to hot start in cold weather. Travis, a senior third baseman, already has four doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs. Last week: No. 1.

2. (2-0): The Phoenix have outscored their first two opponents—Brother Rice and T.F. South--11-2. Last week: No. 4.

3. (2-1): T-Bolts start with one-run games, extra innings. Ryan McCollam pitched three scoreless innings in relief in a 4-3 loss to Minooka. Phil Bria's game-winning hit scored Brian Cobb in a 4-3 eight-inning victory over Danville at the Lenz Field jamboree in Jacksonville. Cobb went 2-for-3 and scored three runs. Matt Biernat struck out four in 1 2/3 innings of relief to gain the win. Then, on Day 2 of the jamboree, Pat Elget went 3-for-5 and had two RBIs in an 8-6 eight-inning victory over Johnsburg. Dan Durkin had two hits and Karl Ehlers was the winning pitcher. Last week: No. 2.

4. (0-0): Ryan Parker “parked” five homers in summer-league ball. He’s been waiting to deliver an encore performance. His wait is about to end. The Eagles are scheduled to play three games in next four days, beginning with opener today against Oak Lawn. Last week: No. 5.

5. (1-0): Jim Augle drove in two runs in the Bulldogs’ 4-3 victory over Lincoln-Way East. Jesse Valenti scored two runs. Last week: Unranked.

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(Covering the following Patch communities: Chicago Heights, Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Homewood-Flossmoor, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland, Palos, Tinley Park and the neighboring private schools that draw students from those communities).