St. Viator rallies for split

St. Viator salvaged a split with visiting Joliet Catholic on Saturday by saving its best for last.

The Lions dropped the first game of the East Suburban Catholic Conference doublheader 12-2, getting outhit 13-6 while committing 5 errors.

It didn’t look good in game two, either — until the seventh inning, when a string of clutch hits propelled the Lions to a 7-5 victory.

Joe Rossi produced a 2-run double, Andrew Ferrante tied it by scoring Rossi with a base hit, and Roy Pettingill capped the rally with a 2-run homer that put St. Viator (12-10, 6-4) ahead for good.

Patrick Martin earned the game two decision, allowing 7 hits in a complete game with 8 strikeouts, and Rossi doubled twice in the Lions’ 10-hit effort.

Wheeling 11, Conant 3: Ryan Bendewald pitched the Wildcats to victory with an 8-hitter in an MSL crossover.

George Alimissis, Sal Dominguez and Angelo DeBlasio had 2 hits apiece for Wheeling (7-12, 3-8), and Alimissis and Dominguez both drove in 2 runs.

Dan Modelski and Zach Gale doubled for Conant (1-13, 0-8).

Elk Grove 5, Plainfield East 4: The host Grens tied it with a run in the bottom of the sixth, then won it with another in the seventh in nonconference play.

Michael Anciulis homered and drove in 2 runs, Luc DiMaso had 2 hits and none of the four pitchers used by Grens (17-6) allowed an earned run.

Barrington 5, Prospect 0: Ryan Lidge homered and went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI to help the visiting Broncos to another Mid-Suburban League victory as Scott Nelson tossed a 6-hit shutout.

Jake Coon went 3-for-3 with 1 RBI for Barrington (15-7, 9-1).

Rolling Meadows 3, Bartlett 1: The visiting Mustangs improved to 11-8-1 overall as Erik Schurtz picked up the decision after allowing nonconference foe Bartlett 3 hits. John Burkiewicz had a double for the Mustangs.

Hersey splits with Hononegah: Niko Poulos allowed 3 earned runs over 6 innings and Rich Carusiello provided 1 perfect inning of relief, but the Huskies couldn’t muster much offense in a 5-1 nonconference loss at home in game one of their doubleheader. Joe Silva had a double, and Ryan Rodgers drove in the only run for Hersey (7-14).

Alex Sutrinaitis didn’t give Hononegah much opportunity in the second game, though, firing a complete-game 2-hitter (both singles) with 3 strikeouts as Hersey’s offense made efficient use of 4 hits in a 5-0 triumph.

Silva scored twice and Rodgers drove in 2 runs for the Huskies.

Palatine 6, Burlington Central 1: Greg Grana had an RBI single and walked twice, and Pirates starter Andy Macahon tossed a complete-game 5-hitter under the lights at Trout Park in Elgin to help Palatine improve to 14-9-1 overall.

Zach Serna (2 RBI), Neal Ori and Matt Hogan had 2 hits apiece for the Pirates.