Kimpler pitches Libertyville past Mundelein

Ben Kimpler and Brendan Murphy hooked up in a pitchers' duel Wednesday, and it was Kimpler who earned the win as Libertyville's baseball team downed its rival Mundelein 4-1 in eight innings.

It was host Mundelein's first loss in North Suburban Lake Division play.

Kimpler threw 7 innings. The 6-foot-6 junior allowed just 5 hits, struck out seven and walked four. Libertyville scored 3 runs in the top of the eighth to snap a 1-1 tie. Tim Calamari struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save after Mundelein drew 3 walks in its half of the eighth.

Murphy pitched 7 strong innings for the Mustangs, giving up only 1 run, striking out seven and not walking a batter. He surrendered only 6 hits.

Calamari also paced Libertyville offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI. Riley Lees homered for the Wildcats and scored 2 runs. Sean Ferraro went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Murphy (1-for-3) drove in Mundelein's lone run.

Stevenson 7, Zion-Benton 2: Justin Stark allowed 2 runs (both unearned) in 6 innings of work, striking out four for the visiting Patriots in the North Suburban Lake contest.

Stevenson (18-7-1) was led offensively by Robby McGaha (2-for-3, 2 doubles), Willie Bourbon (2-for-3, triple, double) and Jimmy Marchese (double, 3 RBI).

Vernon Hills 7, Wauconda 4: The visiting Cougars made the most of 11 hits, jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the North Suburban Prairie game.

Sam Perlin threw 5 quality innings for Vernon Hills, allowing only 2 runs to get the win. Brendan Keogh pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief. Both pitchers were supported by excellent defense led by third baseman Drew Winegardner and center fielder Brennan Reback. Winegardner (2-for-4, RBI), Reback (2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI) and Matt Paszko (2-for-3, run) led the way offensively. Eight of the nine starters hit safely for Vernon Hills.

Trevor Sefcik was 3-for-3 for Wauconda, which got 2 hits apiece from Collin Shrader (double), Luke Weller and Joey Schaer (double). Jack Weller also had a double for the Bulldogs.

Notre Dame 3, Carmel 0: The Dons (18-7, 5-5) used four pitchers to shut out the Corsairs in East Suburban Catholic action.

Tim Simon, Scott Kutschke, Mike Ferri and Sam Ferri combined to strike out nine and scatter 5 hits. Connor Pett was 2-for-3 for Carmel.

Woodstock 9, Grayslake Central 5: Ben Fitzgerald doubled for one of the Rams' 4 hits in their Fox Valley Fox defeat. Fitzgerald was 1-for-2 with a walk and 2 RBI.

Justin Guryn suffered the loss, but only 1 of the 5 runs he allowed in his 3 innings of work was earned. The lefty struck out five and walked one. Grayslake Central committed 5 errors.

Grayslake North 5, Woodstock North 1: The host Knights won the Fox Valley Fox game, as four players - Alex Carrillo, Bobby Krebs, Brendan Taskovic and Jake Pinley - each had 2 hits. Taskovic doubled, while George Deligiannis went 1-for-2 with a walk and 2 RBI.

Jack Barreca went the distance on the mound, allowing 5 hits, striking out five and walking two.

Grayslake North 4, Woodstock 2: On Tuesday, Pat Schaefer struck out nine and allowed just 3 hits and 2 earned runs over 6 innings, as the visiting Knights earned the Fox Valley Fox win.

Jack Barreca pitched the seventh for the save. Alex Carrillo, Bobby Krebs, Brendan Taskovic and Jake Pinley were all 1-for-3 with an RBI. Danny Yates had a double for Grayslake North.