Wauconda rallies past Warren
Ben Peterson provided some relief for Wauconda’s baseball team Thursday.
The junior right-hander came out of the bullpen to throw 2 innings of scoreless ball and earn the win, as the Bulldogs rallied for two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to defeat host Warren 7-5 in a North Suburban Conference crossover.
Wauconda (12-4) got doubles from Austin Swenson, Luke Kenny and Nate Sarich. Swenson finished 2-for-3 with 3 RBI.
Grayslake Central 6, Crystal Lake Central 4: The visiting Rams won their seventh straight game and did so in dramatic fashion.
After Grayslake Central (18-8) defeated the Tigers in nine innings Tuesday, the Fox Valley Conference game ended with darkness looming as relief pitcher Ryan Dones induced a flyball to right fielder Justin Dooley with the tying runs on base to preserve the win.
“I’m not sure how well Justin saw that ball as it was getting dark,” said GC coach Troy Whalen. “Our defense made some great plays today, and that’s what got us the ‘W.’ ”
In addition to diving caches made by outfielders Dooley and Matt Loeffl, the Rams also got a boost from freshman catcher Sam Nozicka, who threw out 3 would-be base stealers.
“He’s going to be fun to have around for four years, ” Whalen said. “He shows tremendous poise for a freshman.”
Rams sophomore Jay Hoffman had 3 hits, while Ryan Fontana added 2 hits and 2 RBI. Jack Spicer tossed the first 4 innings to pick up his fourth victory of season. Spicer fanned three and walked two. Russell Lundius tossed 2 innings and Dones picked up the save.
Lakes 9, Round Lake 0: Eric Kuhlmann (2-0) threw 5 innings of 2-hit ball, striking out seven and walking one in the North Suburban Prairie contest.
Lakes (8-13, 4-3) was led offensively by Brad Borzick (2-for-3, double, 2 runs, stolen base), Justin Corona (2-for-3, double, 3 RBI) and Chase Slota (2-for-3, double, run).
Vernon Hills 13, Grant 11 (9 innings): The Cougars needed only one inning to finish off the North Suburban Prairie contest, which was suspended after eight innings due to darkness Wednesday.
Leadoff hitter Jordan Freibrun started things off in the Vernon Hills ninth with a single to right field and moved to second on Jake Boyer’s sacrifice bunt. With a 2-0 count, Tyler Feece laced a line-drive single up the middle to give the Cougars first and third. Feece stole second.
It looked like reliever Simeon Lucas was going to wriggle out of the jam, as he struck out the next hitter and had two strikes on Dylan McNamara. But McNamara hung tough, fouling off a ball before he muscled an inside fastball over the third baseman’s head, scoring both Freibrun and Feece.
That was enough for Nick Newman. Newman (3 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K) picked up where he left off Wednesday, retiring all three batters he faced to seal the victory for the Cougars.