Ward helps Hoffman Estates win season opener

Starter Ryan Ward of Hoffman Estates pitched 5 solid innings to help the host Hawks claim a nonconference win in their baseball season opener Monday as the Hawks topped Maine West 4-1.

Ward struck out seven and allowed 4 hits without a walk in earning the victory.

Matt Roesch homered in the fourth inning for Hoffman Estates, and the Hawks added 2 more runs in the fourth inning on a single by Stephan Bonilla, a hit-and-run double by Brandon Harris and a two out double from Jeff Mayes.

Brandon Harris pitched 2 innings of relief and retired all six batters he faced.

York 5, Rolling Meadows 1: Brett Gibson scored the only run for the visiting Mustangs (0-1) in a nonconference loss.

Sean O'Brien had the only extra-base hit for Meadows, a double, and was the team's only multiple hitter with 2.

Fremd 2, Cary-Grove 1: Three Fremd pitchers allowed visiting Cary-Grove a total of 5 hits as the Vikings picked up a nonconference victory.

Joe Uhrich and Jack Molnar doubled for Fremd, and Kaz Higuchi and Cody Patenaude provided the RBI from the top two spots of the batting order for Fremd.

Joe Smaga allowed 1 earned run in 5 innings for Fremd (3-2) to earn the win. Alex Stremel pitch1 scoreless relief inning, and Ian Bohn earned a save with a scoreless seventh.

Grant 8, Barrington 4: Anthony DeLaurentis went 3-for-3 with a double and drove in all 4 Broncos runs, but Grant made the most of 10 hits to earn a nonconference win. Jacob Chapman and Casey Dodge had 2 hits apiece for Barrington (2-4).