Crystal Lake South roughs up Cary-Grove

With the temperature in the mid 30s, winds gusting at near 30 miles per hour and periodic snow flurries, you would think scoring runs would be at a premium.

The Crystal Lake South hitters certainly didn’t mind the wintry-like conditions.

Scoring 7 runs off Cary-Grove starter Zach Marszal in the first inning and collecting 14 hits on the day, the Gators were able to cruise to an easy 11-4 win over the Trojans in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division baseball action in Crystal Lake Friday afternoon.

“With the way the weather was, it was important to get an early lead,” said South coach Brian Bogda. “We had a very good approach at the plate and we were able to hit the ball in the gaps. “

In the productive first, the Gators’ (10-0, 7-0) key hits were a 2-run triple by No. 9 hitter Ryan Wilkening and RBI singles by Jake Bigos, Max Meitzler, Garrett Bright and Michael Danca.

The Trojans (11-3, 5-1), paced by an inside-the park homer from Daniel Villardo, cut into the Gator lead with 3 runs in the second to make the score 7-3.

But South responded with 3 more in the bottom in the second on RBI singles by Meitzler and Danco along with an RBI double from Tyler Hall.

Meitzler paced the Gators’ offensive explosion with a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate with a double, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

“We wanted to come out strong early,” said Meitzler. “I wanted just to get good pitches to hit and hit the ball up the middle.”

Danca added 3 hits and an RBI for the Gators.

Winning pitcher Eric Schiller (3-0), who struggled during the first 2 innings, allowed just 1 run on 4 singles during the final 5 innings.

“It was so cold it was hard to grip the ball during the first couple innings,” said Schiller. “I was all right once I got used to the weather. I felt like I was playing in the Alaskan Baseball League. My offense was great today.”

Cary-Grove, which was hindered by 5 errors, also got a sacrifice fly by Matt Ewert and an RBI single by Dean Christakes.

“I thought after South got 7 in the first we had plenty of time to get back in the game,” said Cary-Grove coach Don Sutherland. “I expected us to come back and win. (South) out played the Trojans in every phase of the game.”