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Karz keys comeback win for Prospect

Luke Karz continued to drive Prospect's offense on Friday.

The senior designated hitter had 3 hits, including the game-winner, to help the Knights rally for a 5-4 victory over Conant in a Mid-Suburban League crossover game in Hoffman Estates.

"I have just been taking the game slow," said Karz, who also had 2 RBI. "I try to treat every single at-bat the same. I take it slow, take a breather and then just swing."

Karz' swing drove in Matt Nadler, who had walked to lead off the seventh inning.

Nadler moved into scoring position on a bunt by Pat Donohue and a fielder's choice by Jake Cavaiani.

It was also the second win a row by 1 run for the Knights (12-3, 2-1), who defeated Hersey in extra innings on Wednesday.

"This is what a good team needs to do," said Prospect coach Ross Giusti. "The kids did a nice job. We were down 4-0 and this is when senior leadership steps up."

Giusti got some of that leadership from pitcher Willie Sampson, who came in relief with his team down 4-0.

Sampson was strong, limiting Conant to just 1 hit while striking out eight.

"This past summer I made strides to become our reliever," Sampson said. "I came in and got the job done by just throwing strikes."

Giusti said Sampson's heavy lifting is just what the Knights needed.

"Willie really shut the door," Giusti said. "We were talking as a staff that we had some holes to fill in our rotation, along with middle relief, relief and shutdown. Willie answered those today."

Conant (8-4, 2-1) was able to score a pair of runs in the second to take a 2-0 lead.

With two outs, James Brady hit a sharp single to center scoring Nick Roberts, who had walked and went to second on a wild pitch.

After a walk, Jack Lunkes delivered a single to right to score Roberts.

Conant came up with two more runs in the third inning by barely putting the ball in play.

Matt Mills and Anthony Forte walked to lead of the inning. Jimmy McLaughlin moved the pair up a base on a sacrifice bunt.

Mills then scored on a wild pitch and Forte was able to touch home on a balk.

Prospect climbed back into the game thanks to the bat of Mike Piotrowski, who belted a 3-run homer in the fourth inning.

After Karz singled and Grant Miller walked, Piotrowski hit a long fly on an 0-2 pitch that just eluded a leaping Lunkes in left.

"I have been struggling the last few games and it was my turn to step up," Piotrowski said. "I had not really stepped up big for my team this year and it just felt really good to get that off my back."

With the momentum having swung to its side, Prospect got back into the game in the fifth inning on back-to-back doubles by Jake Cavaiani and Karz.

With Sampson keeping Conant at bay, the Knights were able to complete the comeback.

"We struggled the last four innings," said Conant coach Derek Fivelson, whose team had just 3 hits. "We just never answered back when they scored."

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