Baseball: Palatine at Barrington suspended in third inning

The weather - and perhaps some nerves - were getting to Barrington and pitcher Brooks Gosswein on Monday in Palatine.

With Barrington leading 4-0 in the bottom of the third, the game was delayed due to lightning. Then, after the all-clear sounded after nearly 50 minutes, the game was halted for a final time when the lightning detector sounded a second time.

With another 30-minute delay coming and darkness on the horizon, officials called the game. It will be made up in its entirety Tuesday.

Barrington coach Pat Wire took the news of the cancellation with expected disappointment. But Wire was also upbeat due to the struggles Gosswein had on the mound.

"I am actually glad, in a way," Wire said. "Sometimes we look at things and say 'Gosh, I am upset because we are up 4-0.' But more importantly, I was hoping Brooks Gosswein would get a chance to let his nerves rest and be done with it."

Gosswein, who is drawing tremendous attention from college scouts, saw that number increase from six attending games a week ago to eight on Monday. Gosswein had trouble with his control through the first 2-plus innings, striking out five - but also walking five.

"I am disappointed with the outing," Gosswein said. "My nerves were a little choppy. That is two games in a row, so I am going to make an adjustment."

Wire is confident his junior pitcher will get everything under control.

"It is a learning experience for him," Wire said. "I told him that he is going to get lots of people coming out to see him. He is a D-1 pitcher. He is going to find a spot. So just pitch. He will be fine."

Barrington had taken the lead thanks to 3-run homer by Jimmy Day in the top of the first.

Palatine, which did not have a hit, was threatening with runners on second and third and two outs in the third with the hot hitting Dan Schneberger at the plate when the game was halted.

"We really were bracing the challenge of facing him (Gosswein)," Palatine coach Paul Belo said. "He is a talented kid and he was struggling with his command. We were a hit away from getting back in the game. And with his pitch count already high, we would have loved to see the game go on."

Barrington and Palatine entered Monday's action in a three-way tie for the MSL West lead, with Fremd.