Baseball: Bottom line, Palatine tops Conant

It was bottoms up for Palatine's baseball team on Wednesday.

The last five of Palatine's batting order accounted for all of the Pirates' runs in their 6-2 win over host Conant.

"I think they did a tremendous job with their approach," Palatine coach Paul Belo said. "They were not trying to do too much."

Leading the way for Palatine (8-7, 4-1) was Danny Amato. The senior catcher, who was making his first varsity start, had 3 hits, including a double. He also reached on a error that drove in the Pirates' first run.

"We have always told our kids that practice means something," Belo said. "And this young man has been a tremendous leader for us all along."

Amato, who batted eighth, was happy to get his opportunity.

"I don't play a lot, so it was great to get a shot," Amato said. "I didn't try to do anything crazy. I just stuck with things that we are supposed to do."

Also ripping the ball well was 6-hitter Dan Schneberger, who belted his second homer in as many games against Conant.

"It is very nice," said Schneberger, whose 2-run blast in the fifth put Palatine up 5-0. "Both homers were first-pitch fastballs, really get down the heart of the plate and I just drove the ball."

Zach Oles, who bats fifth, had 3 singles and scored each time he reached. Anthony Portera, who bats ninth, had an RBI single, while 7-hitter Charlie Van Dyke walked twice, scored a run and drove in another with a suicide squeeze.

Van Dyke was also the winning pitcher. He did not allow a hit until there were two outs in the fifth. He struck out eight while giving up a pair of late runs.

"I think hitting-wise we just stick to our approach, which I think is vital to our game," said Van Dyke, who improved to 2-1. "It feel great to pitch with a lead. And when we do get that lead, I know my fielders have my back as well."

Matt Lamm also had 2 hits for Palatine, including a double.

Conant (6-10, 1-4) has been up and down at the plate recently. The Cougars scored 37 runs last week, but struggled on Wednesday.

Jack Lunkes had an RBI single in the sixth for Conant while Kevin Sindewald had an RBI single in the seventh. Jack Reiger had 2 hits for the Cougars.

"We have been down offensively," Conant coach Derek Fivelson said. "It has been our Achilles' heel lately, getting some offensive production. We have a day off and hopefully can turn things around."

Palatine, Barrington and Fremd are tied for the MSL West lead, each with 4-1 records.

Prospect 16, Hersey 12: The visiting Knights prevailed in a wild MSL East matchup that featured 31 hits and 6 errors.

Hersey led 6-5 after the fourth inning, but Prospect reclaimed the lead with a 5-run fifth and didn't trail again.

Prospect (10-2, 3-2) had plenty of hitting heroes, including Ryan Howe (4-for-4, double, triple, 2 RBI) and Richie Baszek, who had an RBI single and a homer and finished with 3 hits. Travis Gates, Trevor Engquist, Grant Zellmer and Brendan O'Brien each had 2 hits.

Tyler Haffey led the effort for Hersey (4-9, 2-3), finishing with a double, a home run and 4 RBI after a 3-for-5 effort at the plate. Tanner Luke, Luke LaSalvia, Matt Abfall and Cade O'Neal each had 2 hits for the Huskies.

Fremd 4, Hoffman Estates 1: Jake LaGasse and Charlie Kaye hit home runs as 5 of the Vikings' 6 hits went for extra bases in an MSL West triumph.

Justin Castillo and JT Kolderup doubled for the Vikes (7-3, 4-1), and Ethan Hajdukovic had a triple to make a winner of Eric Bennes (6 IP, 6 hits, 4 strikeouts). Jared Swenson tossed a perfect seventh inning to earn the save.

Ryan Kulton had 2 of the 6 hits for Hoffman Estates (5-8, 0-5), and Lucas Barnes had a double.

Buffalo Grove 11, Wheeling 1 (6 inn.): The host Bison jumped ahead with a 7-run first inning, then added 4 in the sixth to end it.

Joey Pinakidis and Cedric Cavazos both had a pair of hits for MSL East co-leader Buffalo Grove (8-6, 4-1), and John Carpinelli doubled. The Bison had 8 hits but also drew 8 walks and left only three runners on base.

Zach Fricke worked all 6 innings for BG, allowing 4 hits and striking out six.

Wheeling (6-10, 1-4) got a double from Kyle Bullock.

Schaumburg 6, Barrington 1: Andrew Ralston drove in the go-ahead run with a single as the Saxons broke open a game that had been tied with 5-run seventh inning and hung on for an MSL West victory.

Parker Nolan and Tommy Larsen both drove in a pair of runs for Schaumburg (9-5, 3-2) and Nolan was terrific on the mound, tossing a complete-game 5 hitter with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks. Ralston finished 2-for-3 and scored 2 runs.

Barrington slipped to 11-5 overall and 4-1 in the league. Blake Swanson had 2 of the Broncos' hits, which were all singles.

Elk Grove 8, Rolling Meadows 0: No. 2 hitter Joe Lopez doubled, tripled and drove in 5 runs in a 3-for-5 plate effort, right behind leadoff man Christian Camacho (3-for-4, 3 runs), as the Grenadiers protected their share of the MSL East lead.

Elk Grove (8-5, 4-1) got a complete-game 5-hitter from Jonathan Maday, who struck out seven and walked one.

Hank Holm had a double for Rolling Meadows (0-11, 0-5).

Willowbrook 11, Leyden 1 (5 inn.): Alec Michaelson allowed just 2 hits as the host Warriors earned a West Suburban Gold win over the Eagles (6-9).