Top seed Elk Grove takes nothing for granted

Elk Grove was unbeatable in Cook County American Legion baseball this summer.

But Red Sox coach Brian Mucha understands their 11-0 regular-season record is not necessarily a true barometer of what’s ahead as the Cook County tournament starts with games at 4 p.m. today.

“It’s pretty even this year,” Mucha said. “It’s nice that we got the top seed … but it’s not like we can look past anyone in this tournament.”

Elk Grove (18-12) opens against sixth-seed Portage Park in a game that will be played at Evanston High School. No. 2 Arlington hosts No. 5 Mount Prospect (9-16-1) at Rec Park and No. 3 Palatine (18-5-1), the defending County champion, hosts No. 4 Northbrook at Harper College.

The double-elimination tournament runs through Saturday with the winner advancing to the state tournament July 27-31 in Galesburg. All games in the County tourney are nine innings.

“It’s amazing what you can do with that,” Palatine coach Jeff Ryder said of the difference made by two extra innings. “Every little thing matters now at this level.”

But the biggest thing — particularly in longer games which will be played in oppressive heat — is pitching quality and depth.

Elk Grove’s staff is led by lefty Paul Warble, Concordia-bound Ryan Hayes, Art Sutter and Kyle Pollock. Roger Lane and Ben Wiertel could be vital to provide some innings.

“You have to have about four pitchers at least,” Mucha said. “I feel we have a solid four but after that we need a fifth guy to step up.”

Also factoring into the equation is player availability with the high school summer tournament regionals also taking place this week.

One of Prospect’s top two pitchers, Brad Moore, pitched for Hersey on Monday. Trevor Haas did not pitch in the summer tourney.

“We all have to deal with it,” Ryder said.

“All of us don’t know what kids we’re going to have,” said Prospect coach Tom Krumsee. “But I feel we’ll be competitive with whoever we play.”

Palatine won’t have hard-throwing lefty Sean Stutzman because of a vacation before he leaves for college. But big right-hander Joe Leaf has continued with the success he had in the spring at Fremd and will start the opener.

Arlington is always a threat to be in contention for the title. Kurt Donner, Andrew Van Wazer and Matt Hendricks lead the way on the mound.

“They’ve all pitched well at times, but whether they do it in the tourney or not, we’ll see,” said Arlington coach Lloyd Meyer. “We’re capable.”