Baseball: Pennington powers Cary-Grove to big win
Senior Tyler Pennington blasted his area-leading sixth home run of the season and drove in 5 runs to pace Cary-Grove's 29-4 Fox Valley Conference home win over Jacobs.
Pennington hit a 3-run shot in the first inning to stake Cary-Grove (17-7, 13-6) to a 3-0 lead. Four Trojans finished with 3 hits: Collin Walsh (4 runs, 2 RBI), Ryan Ignoffo (double, triple, 5 RBI), Pennington (3-for-3, walk) and Tommy Neilsen (3-for-4, 2 RBI). Starting pitcher Mike Eleftheriou nabbed his fifth win of the season by limiting the Golden Eagles to 4 hits and a walk. He struck out 6 in a five-inning game. The loss was the sixth straight and ninth in 10 outings for Jacobs (13-11, 5-10).
McHenry 15, Dundee-Crown 5: The Warriors collected 19 hits and led 13-0 through three innings of this five-inning Fox Valley Conference meeting. McHenry (16-6, 11-4) used three pitchers to complete the 3-game sweep of Dundee-Crown (9-13, 6-12).
Crystal Lake South 6, Crystal Lake Central 0: Riley Tannhauser threw a 4-hit shutout against the rival Tigers to complete a 3-game sweep by the Fox Valley Conference leaders. Crystal Lake South (21-1, 12-1) managed 11 hits compared to 4 for Crystal Lake Central (8-13, 5-10). Nick Wolski went 3-for-3 and drove in a run and Michael Swiatly doubled for CL South.
St. Charles North 14, Geneva 5: The North Stars extended their win streak to 17 by completing the 3-game sweep of Geneva in the Upstate Eight River. St. Charles North (22-2, 17-1) trailed 5-1 before erupting for 7 runs in the fourth inning. Pitchers Ryan Litavecz (3 IP, 2 ER, 3 K), and Weston Muir (4 IP, 0 ER, 7 K) teamed up for the win and cleanup hitter Sam Faith went 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI. Jack Olson (4-for-4, double, RBI) was responsible for 4 of the 10 hits for Geneva (15-9, 12-6).
West Aurora 6, East Aurora 1: The Blackhawks completed a 3-game Upstate Eight Valley sweep of the rival Tomcats behind starting pitcher Dustin Tomas, who held East Aurora to an earned run on 7 hits without a walk and struck out a pair. JJ Rivera (3-for-3, triple) and Josh Adam (2-for-3, triple, RBI) led the offense for West Aurora (7-16).
Elgin Academy 15, Schaumburg Christian 3: It was a productive day at the plate for Ian Wilson, who went 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, a home run, a walk and 3 RBI. Henry Stone and Jordan Hare (double) each connected for 2 hits for Elgin Academy (17-3).
Yorkville 5, Hampshire 3: The Whip-Purs were outhit 9-5 in a nonconference game played at Northwestern Medicine Field, home of the Kane County Cougars. Pitcher Logan Nespor absorbed the loss while Kyle Homa and Christian Puente each finished with 2 hits for Hampshire (7-13-1).
Morris 15, Kaneland 12: The Knights outhit the visitors 15-14 but committed 5 errors in this Northern Illinois Big 12 East battle. Robbie Dudzinski went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and 3 RBI in a losing cause.
Kaneland 13, Maine South 3: In a night game at Trout Park in Elgin, the Knights scored 7 runs in the bottom of the sixth to win in nonconference play. Luke Gomes hit a solo home run, Luke Calabrese (RBI) finished 2-for-4 with a double and Preston Havis went 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Robbie Dudzinski held Maine South to 3 earned runs on 4 hits, walked a pair and struck out 6 in 6 innings for Kaneland (15-10).