Junior center fielder Ben Raddatz doesn’t shy away from the spotlight for Yorkville Christian.
That meant after Plano dramatically tied the game Friday on a two-run homer by Jason Phillips in the bottom of the seventh inning, Raddatz was looking forward to another chance to shine.
“Pressure builds diamonds,” Raddatz said. “I wanted the pressure and the situation. I was just ready for it. Honestly, I was hoping I would come up in a situation like that.”
The second time was the charm for Raddatz.
After helping to add an insurance run in the top of the seventh, Raddatz connected for the winning two-run double with two outs in the ninth to lead the Mustangs to a 6-4 nonconference win.
In a game full of dramatic twists and turns, Tyler Gleason hit a pair of solo homers as he celebrated senior day for Yorkville Christian (11-12). Owen Curran also doubled and scored.
Phillips also had a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning for Plano (20-11), which served as the home team and hosted due to the Mustangs’ field situation.
Raddatz had his first big moment in the top of the seventh, singling in Curran with an insurance run to give the Mustangs a 4-2 lead.
Yorkville Christian’s Ben Raddatz celebrates his RBI double in the ninth against Plano during a nonconference game in Plano on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
After Phillips jumped all over the first pitch he saw and sent it into the trees beyond center field in the bottom half of the inning, Raddatz immediately thought of his next opportunity.
“I was talking in the dugout that I’m good under pressure,” Raddatz said. “I was ready for the moment. I wanted to be up in that situation.”
Yorkville Christian coach Sean Bieterman was happy to see Raddatz show that confidence even amid some recent struggles.
“Ben’s been solid for us,” Bieterman said. “He’s been in a little bit of a slump. We’ve been trying to preach to him to keep his head up, keep his confidence. He had two clutch hits. That’s awesome.
“I’m happy for him because he works really hard. He’s a good teammate. I’m happy to see him have that success.”
Plano’s Jason Phillips (42) celebrates his home run against Yorkville Christian during a nonconference game in Plano on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
His heroics were necessary thanks to the clutch hitting of Phillips. The sophomore first baseman continued his breakout season with another astonishing performance.
After Yorkville Christian took a two-run lead in the top of the seventh, Kaden Aguirre led off the bottom of the inning with a single to bring up Phillips.
“If the scenario played out right, I was going to walk him,” Bieterman said. “With no outs? If it was two outs, I was definitely going to walk him. That’s how good he is.
“He’s as good of a high school hitter as there is in the state.”
With all eyes on him, Phillips jumped on the first pitch and drove it over Raddatz into the trees in the neighborhood beyond center field.
“That kid is a stud,” Raddatz said. “He’s very clutch. That’s good for him. I knew it was gone.”
Yorkville Christian’s Ben Raddatz leads off first base against Plano during a nonconference game in Plano on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Instead of deflating as a team, however, the Mustangs rallied. And Raddatz was a big reason for it. Despite his recent struggles, he was ready to rock.
“I started off the season hot,” Raddatz said. “The past few games, I’ve been struggling a little bit. In my off time, I just put in work by myself. I was just grinding, trying to get my confidence up.”
The Mustangs open the Class 1A postseason Thursday at Serena, so a big win over a quality Class 3A opponent should help build some momentum.
“We’ve had a lot of close games that haven’t gone our way,” Raddatz said. “It just feels really good to get one that goes our way.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
