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Sports

Bailey a Triple-Threat for Bolingbrook Baseball Team

The sophomore left fielder boasts blazing speed, a powerful bat and highlight reel defense.

The Bolingbrook Raiders' Aaron Bailey is your prototypical speedster.

The left fielder is lightning quick on the base paths, can stretch a single into a double and roams the outfield like a hawk.

Just a sophomore, Bailey showed off that quickness during Saturday's doubleheader against Romeoville, especially in the first game.

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Bailey went 2-for-2 with an RBI double, single, walk and stolen base while making one game-changing catch in the field.

Romeoville junior third baseman Vidal Gonzalez hammered the ball into deep left. Bailey gauged the ball, jumped fully extended and snatched it against the wall.

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As for batting, Bailey faced Romeoville senior pitcher Casey Moll in the first with senior designated hitter Justin Kovalsky at first. Bailey calmly stepped up and lined an RBI double in the center field gap.

“It was right there for me and I just wanted to hit it back up the middle,” Bailey said. “I didn’t want to let that pitch to go to waste.”

But as good as Bailey is at the dish, it's what he can do on the base paths that truly sets him apart.

In the first, Bailey advanced to third on a shallow sacrifice fly, scoring on an infield error. A third inning steal at second was not even close. A fifth inning walk resulted in Bailey eventually reaching home  on another fielder’s choice.

“I thank the Lord for it,” Bailey said. “It’s not my speed. He blessed me with it. I thank him for it and I’m going to use it. I like it that the coaches give me opportunities to steal and opportunities to advance. If I see a base open and there is a chance to get there, I’m going to be aggressive.”

Bolingbrook head coach Chris Malinoski said the second year varsity player is gaining more comfort performing at this level after recovering from a knee injured suffered last season.

“In every game, the more familiar you are and the more experience you get at that position or situation, the more comfortable you get after you succeed,” Malinoski said. “He doesn’t seem to be pressing too much anymore. He is letting his ability and his natural athletic to take over. It’s fun to watch him play when he does that.”

Improving his game, Bailey said, has come from sharpening his mental concentration.

“I changed my stance a bit by going lower and try focusing on playing the game,” Bailey said. “There is always something you could improve.”

Besides baseball, Bailey is the starting quarterback for Bolingbrook football team and said he likes both sports, but will eventually have to choose which one he wants to pursue further.

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