Inclusive approach pays dividend for Libertyville
Everybody played and Libertyville's baseball team celebrated a win, too, at Miller Park in Milwaukee on Wednesday.
The Wildcats defeated Waunakee 15-4, as they had 23 players get at least one plate appearance. Libertyville coach Jim Schurr used a different pitcher for all seven innings.
Offensively, Libertyville was led by Mitchell Townsend (2-for-3, RBI), Jake Vogt (2-for-3, RBI), Hunter Reimers (2-for-2, double, 2 RBI), Jimmy Govern (1-for-2, double, 2 RBI), Ben Manski (1-for-3, double, RBI) and Connor Burke (1-for-1, 2 RBI).
Sean Stevens, Jack Shanahan, Manski, Tim Calamari, Matt Friello and Sam Kim each pitched a scoreless inning for the Wildcats.
Grayslake Central 6, Crystal Lake Central 3: The Rams made the most of 6 hits, and David Llorens picked up the win in the Fox Valley Conference game.
Llorens scattered 7 hits over 4 innings, striking out three, while fellow lefty Justin Guryn shut out the Tigers over the final 3 innings. Guryn fanned five, while allowing only 3 hits.
Grayslake Central (12-8) scored all of its runs in the first two innings. An RBI groundout by Sam Nozicka (1-for-3, double, 2 RBI) plated the first run, and a Jeff Terronez sacrifice fly scored courtesy runner Alex Ruiz with the Rams' second run of the inning.
The Rams then scored 4 runs in the bottom of the second after two out. They received 5 consecutive hits off the bats of Devin Moran, Jay Hoffman (2-for-3, 2 runs scored), Llorens, Nozicka and Anthony Fitzgerald (2 RBI).
"We got off to a great start offensively, but we need to continue to attack each inning," Rams coach Troy Whalen said. "David did not have his best stuff but he battled, and this was the best that Justin has thrown all year. He's starting to round into pitching shape, which is encouraging as we head into May."
The Rams will enjoy a long weekend off with prom this weekend.
"There a lot of distractions the week of prom, but I'm proud of the boys and how they went about their business this week," Whalen said. "We've played three games in a row, and they've earned a nice break."
Mundelein 8, Zion-Benton 4: Luke Peterson went 3-for-4 with a double, as the visiting Mustangs remained undefeated in the North Suburban Lake.
Mundelein (18-5, 6-0) also received doubles from Brendan Murphy and Reese Dolan, while Nick Brune earned the win.
Stevenson 5, Lake Zurich 4: Evan Scaletta played the role of hero, as the Patriots edged the Bears by a single run for the second day in a row in North Suburban Lake action.
Scaletta delivered a pinch-hit triple in the bottom of the seventh to score the tying and winning runs. Christian Dutler was 2-for-3 for Stevenson (14-6-1, 4-4). Justin Stark notched the win in relief.
Lake Zurich (3-5 NSC Lake) got 2 doubles from Nick Sanders, while Trevor Staley was 2-for-4. Lucas Ehrhardt singled and drove in 2 runs for the Bears.
Lake Forest 6, Warren 5: The Scouts pushed across a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the North Suburban Lake game.
Ben Perner (4 RBI) and Sean Hannigan had the only hits for Warren (14-8, 5-3).
Lakes 16, North Chicago 1: Tim Ohlwein earned his first win of the season, striking out all six hitters he faced.
Lakes improved to 13-5-1 and 6-0 in the North Suburban Prairie.
Antioch 11, Round Lake 2: John Neville doubled twice, knocked in a pair of runs and pitched 3 scoreless innings of 1-hit for the host Sequoits in the North Suburban Prairie contest.
Antioch (7-13, 4-4) also got a double from Connor Geidner, while John Petty had a single and 2 RBI. Neville struck out six batters. Michael Mentone fanned four in his 2 innings of work for the Sequoits.
Vinnie Milianti was 2-for-3 for Round Lake (3-18, 0-8).
Vernon Hills 6, Grayslake North 4: Sam Perlin's quality start got the Cougars back on the winning track.
Perlin threw 5⅓ innings, allowing only 1 run. Matt Paszko and Brendan Keogh combined to finish the game. Matt Gramins made the most of his first varsity start at second base by contributing two key double plays. Chris Kahn also turned a key 3-6 double play on a line drive that got Vernon Hills out of a bases-loaded jam.
Leading the way offensively for Vernon Hills were Joey Marras (2-for-2, RBI), Kahn (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Connor McNamara (1-for-3, 2 RBI) and Jack Duffley (1-for-4, RBI).
Grayslake North got 2 hits apiece from Alex Carrillo and Jake Pinkley, while Brendan Taskovic had a double.
Marmion 6, Carmel 1: Marmion's Jake Esp struck out 11 Corsairs and allowed only 2 hits in a complete-game effort.