Shutout by committee for Prospect in season opener
Prospect's baseball team opened its season with a 2-0 victory over Hinsdale Central on Friday.
Mike Smith, Jim Kennedy and Justin Placko combined to blank the Red Devils. The trio allowed just 2 hits while striking out six.
"It was a great way to open the season," Prospect coach Russ Giusti said. "We got some great pitching and some key defensive plays."
Grant Gerdes had 2 hits to help the Knights tally a run in each of the first two innings. Placko came in to pitch the final 3 innings, without allowing a hit.
St. Viator 3, Morgantown 2: St. Viator completed its southern swing with a victory over Morgantown, Va., at the Cal Ripken Experience in North Carolina.
Mike Piet pitched the final 1⅓ innings for the Lions to pick up the win as St. Viator finished their trip with a 5-1 record.
"We didn't execute very well today but we found a way win," St. Viator coach Mike Manno said. "The kids never faltered, and they battled."
The Lions tallied twice in the third when Jason Wilhite, who had walked earlier, scored on a passed ball. Jack Napoleon then doubled home Jack McNamara, who had also walked.
With St. Viator leading 2-1 in the top of the seventh, the Lions were able to manufacture the eventual game-winning run. Wilhite had a two-out single, then stole second and was able to score the eventual game-winner on a pair of wild pitches.
"It was a great trip," Manno said. "We found out that we are a deeper team team than we thought. We will find out better when we get home and play against teams we know."
Wheeling 13, Brooke 1: Wheeling completed its first spring trip on a high note, pounding Brooke of West Virginia at the Wild World of Sports complex in Orlando. The Wildcats pounded out 14 hits to finish their trip with a 3-2 record.
George Alimissis led the offensive barrage with 3 hits and 3 RBI. Jake Jordan also had 3 hits while Angelo Deblasio had 2 hits. Deblasio picked up the complete game victory, fanning five while allowing 6 hits.
Naperville Central 4, Palatine 1: The Pirates didn't have much success against a pair of Naperville Central pitchers in a nonconference loss.
Chris Macahon and Nolan Gavin had singles, and Shane Devero doubled to account for Palatine's 3 hits at Lenz Field in Jacksonville.
Andrew Breytenbach allowed 3 earned runs in 5 innings as the Redhawks came up with all of their scoring in the fifth inning.
Palatine 15, Lake Zurich 5 (6): The Pirates erupted for 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring an end to a victory over the Bears at Lenz Field.
Matt Saltess doubled and drove in 4 runs, and Chris Macahon, Zach Serna and Nolan Gavin had 3 hits apiece for Palatine.
Lake Zurich had tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the sixth inning. Andrew Breytenbach got the victory after pitching two-thirds of an inning in relief; starter Patrick Seeberger allowed 5 earned in 5⅓ innings for Palatine.
Quincy Notre Dame 13, Hersey 3: The Huskies wrapped up a 1-2 trip to Springfield with a loss to Notre Dame. Hersey is scheduled to meet Hinsdale Central in a Saturday game at Wheaton College.