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Pfeiffer's fine effort lifts Barrington

Mitch Pfeiffer laid out to lead Barrington past Schaumburg 6-4 Wednesday in Barrington.

Pfeiffer first came up with huge defensive play in center field. He then came back to deliver a 2-run single to keep Barrington (9-6, 2-0) atop the Mid-Suburban West baseball race.

"That play he made was wonderful," Barrington coach Pat Wire said. "It was really unbelievable. Then he has the presence of mind to come up and get the big hit for us. He had been struggling at the plate, so that was a huge for him - and for us."

Pfeiffer made a spectacular diving catch in left center in the fifth inning to rob Schaumburg's Chris Broccolino of a sure extra-base hit. That took away a run for Schaumburg, which was leading 2-0 at the time.

"He hit it well of the bat," said Pfeiffer, who ran 50 feet and then sprung from his feet with his body parallel to the ground and dove to snare the line drive. "I took a drop step and turned my head and began to run, and then laid out. I got lucky enough to have it fall into my glove."

That highlight reel play turned the tide for Barrington. The Broncos had been stymied to that point by Schaumburg ace Jack Bellinger, who held them to 2 hits while fanning five in the first 4 innings.

With the Barrington side still buzzing about Pfeiffer's play, the Broncos were able to load the bases on a pair of walks that sandwiched a single by Luke Johnson. Pfeiffer drilled a sharp single to center driving in two runs thanks to the aggressive coaching by Barrington third-base coach Nate Gray.

"I have been in a slump for the last couple of weeks," Pfeiffer said. "He came up with a curve ball down the middle and I was able to drive it to center."

On a poor throw to the plate, the Broncos were able to move runners to second third. Barrington took advantage of the throwing error to score another run on a ground out by Jake Petersen. Pfeiffer then scored on Jake Coon's RBI single.

Barrington added a couple of insurance runs in the sixth. Sophomore Will Yorton drove in 2 on a single to center to give the Broncos a 6-2 lead.

Schaumburg (6-5-1,0-2) had hoped to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Barrington on Monday.

The Saxons were on track to do just that after striking for a pair of runs with two outs in the second. Brendan Beck singled and Tommy Larsen doubled. Jacob Rintz then dropped a 1-2 pitch just inside the right-field line for a double and 2 RBI.

Barrington pitcher Brooks Gosswein was able to keep Schaumburg off the board from there, making good pitches and benefiting from teammates such as Pfeiffer.

"I felt that I had more control of the ball today," said Gosswein, who is a sophomore and improved to 3-1. "I had more command of my fastball and my change up.

"Pfeiffer's play was unbelievable. It really gave us some momentum."

Schaumburg coach Cal Seely said Pfeiffer's play changed the game.

"It was a heck of a defensive play for sure," Seely said. "I think it was a momentum shift. I think we had them slowly backing up, on their heels - and he made that catch and those guys responded to it."

Schaumburg made it interesting in the seventh when the Saxons loaded the bases with one out. Schaumburg scored 2 runs on a pair of wild pitches, but Johnson, who came on the relieve Gosswein, got a big out with runners on the corners and 2 outs.

  Schaumburg's Jack Bellinger delivers a pitch during Wednesday's game at Barrington. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Barrington right fielder Jimmy Day can't quite get to a flyball off the bat of Schamburg's Jacob Rintz that went for a 2-run double during Wednesday's game. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Schaumburg's Brendan Beck (8) greets teammate Tommy Larsen (21) at the plate as they score on a 2-run double by Jacob Rintz in the top of the second inning during Wednesday's game at Barrington. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Barrington third baseman Casey Dodge ranges toward the line to field a groundball and throw quickly to first for an out in Wednesday's game against Schaumburg. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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