DeLaurentis gets it done for Barrington

Barrington's Anthony DeLaurentis showed his versatility Friday.

The senior baseball standout helped stake the Broncos to a huge lead with his 3-run homer in the second.

He then came on in relief for the first time this season and shut the door on Elk Grove as Barrington held on for a 9-6 victory.

DeLaurentis, who plays second when he is not a starting pitcher, arrived at Kirby Smith field to find that he was going to be the designated hitter for the game.

"I wasn't expecting to do much today," DeLaurentis said. "I was focusing on hitting at the beginning of the game and I ended up doing it all."

Since Barrington (22-8, 12-2) has already clinched a spot in next Friday's Mid-Suburban League baseball title game as the West champion, expect DeLaurentis to have a similar role in the near future.

"I think he is one of the best players in the area," said Barrington coach Pat Wire said. "We had an opportunity to practice playoff baseball. This is a situation that realistically could happen."

Elk Grove (18-8, 11-4) rallied from an 8-0 deficit after the second inning to close to 8-6 with a runner on second and two outs in the sixth.

DeLaurentis, who has been a starter all season, came on to get a strikeout to end the inning. He then allowed a bunt single in the seventh before getting a long fly ball to end the game.

"I am really proud of the way we came back," said Elk Grove coach Terry Beyna. "I am really pleased with the way Mike Parisi pitched to keep it there for us."

With the loss, Elk Grove falls a half-game behind Prospect in the MSL East race, as Prospect defeated Fremd 4-1 on Friday.

Elk Grove would need a win Monday against Palatine, plus a Prospect loss to either Rolling Meadows on Saturday or Barrington on Monday, to regain a share of the division lead.

The Grenadiers didn't look like they had a chance early in the game.

The Broncos jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first when Jake Coon hit a mammoth 2-run homer that disappeared into the trees in left center.

"I have been struggling all week," said Coon, who has belted 6 homers this year. "I have been hitting the ball hard and lining out to a bunch of guys. So it was good to get this one. He threw me a fastball that I could just tear up."

It looked like it could be lopsided game when Barrington struck for 6 runs in its second at-bat. The Broncos loaded the bases with no outs and got a RBI single from Luke Johnson for one of his 3 hits.

An error scored another run and Coon drove in run with a fielder's choice.

After a hit-batsman, DeLaurentis followed with a 3-run blast that just eluded Elk Grove centerfield Brandon Post, who crashed into the fence but stayed in the game.

"It was a crazy play," said DeLaurentis, who now has 7 home runs this year. "I wasn't sure it was out, so I kept running. After Coon's homer, I wanted to be in front of him again."

With Parisi holding the Barrington offense at bay, Elk Grove turned its scoring machine on.

Matt Wary had 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, while Post had a double and 2 RBI.

The Grens also got 3 RBI from the sizzling Jack McEnroe, who had his second 3-hit game in a row as Elk Grove scored 3 runs in the third and fifth innings to make it 8-6.

But Mr. Everything came on for Barrington to earn his first save of his career and Jimmy Day, who had 3 hits, blasted a solo homer to preserve the victory.

"We are playing some quality teams down the stretch here," Wire said. "We just want to keep things going."

Prospect 4, Fremd 1: Sean Delacruz went 2-for-3, driving in 1 run and scoring another, as the Knights grabbed a half-game lead in the Mid-Suburban East race.

Matt Nadler and Patrick Donohue drove in runs in a 2-run seventh for Prospect (23-6, 11-3) with singles.

Danny Devereux earned a complete-game win for Prospect, allowing 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out five.

Ian Bohn had a pair of hits and Tom Austin had a double for the host Vikings (14-14, 8-7).

Conant 12, Hersey 4: Anthony Forte had another big day at the plate, finishing with 6 RBI as the host Cougars picked up an MSL victory.

Forte singled, doubled and homered to lead a 14-hit attack for Conant, and he also stole 2 bases.

Other big producers for the Cougars (17-12, 8-7) included Jimmy Brady (2-4, double, 2 RBI), Jimmy McLaughlin (3-4, double, 2 RBI) and Matt Fauth (1-3, double, 3 runs scored).

Brett Harris and Will Trossen both went 2-for-4 for Hersey (8-16-1, 6-9).

Luke Downey allowed 6 hits and struck out six in a complete-game victory.

Schaumburg 11, Buffalo Grove 1 (5 inn.): Andrew Ralston, Tyler Teele and Brendan Beck each doubled to pace a productive day offensively for the host Saxons, who produced 11 hits in an MSL triumph.

Christian Poulsen allowed 2 hits while striking out six to earn the win for the Saxons (12-12-1, 6-9).

Ben Moran and Justin Hasek provided the hits for Buffalo Grove (13-17, 7-8).

Palatine 8, Wheeling 3: Michael Stacy doubled and drove in a run as Palatine made efficient use of its 7 hits in MSL play.

Patrick Seeberger scattered 9 hits and struck out eight to earn the victory.

Brenden Spillane doubled and drove in a run for Wheeling (10-16, 5-10), and Jake Jordan and Christian Hubbard both finished with 2 hits.

Mitch Dolen came up with a 2-run single in the sixth as Palatine (12-17, 7-8), which never trailed, got some breathing room with a 3-run inning.