Baseball: Prospect grabs lead in MSL East

Prospect's baseball team powered past Hoffman Estates 12-2 in 6 innings on Friday to take over first place in the Mid-Suburban East race.

The Knights (14-8, 11-1) were especially tough through the top four spots in the lineup, as those hitters finished a combined 13-for-18 with 2 walks and 11 RBI.

Leadoff man Richie Baczek was 3-for-5 with a triple, No. 2 hitter Grant Zellmer was 4-for-5 with a double, Ryan Howe was 3-for-5 in the No. 3 spot and cleanup man Grant Whitebloom went 3-for-3 with 4 RBI.

John Czseslowski last 4⅔ innings and allowed 3 hits and 1 run while striking out six on his way to earning the win. Frankie Mack pitched 1⅓ scoreless relief innings.

Lucas Barnes had a double for Hoffman Estates (7-12, 6-6).

The top two teams in the MSL East play each other twice next week, with Prospect holding a 1-game lead over Buffalo Grove. Prospect hosts Buffalo Grove on Monday, and the Bison host the Knights on Wednesday.

Fremd 18, Hersey 12: Luke Seidel and Tommy Josten hit home runs and the visiting Vikings scored in every inning but the third on their way to an MSL triumph.

Seidel, Eric Bennes, Zach Goodman, Will McCabe and Tom Cermak each had 3 hits for Fremd (12-11, 7-5). Josten finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBI, McCabe also drove in 3 runs and Seidel had 5 RBI.

Christian Rodriguez led the way for Hersey (6-16-1, 2-10), finishing 4-for-4 with 2 RBI. Tom Barnes went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and scored 3 runs, and A.J. Ceffalio, Alberto Garcia and Rodriguez each drove in 2 runs.

Conant 10, Elk Grove 8 (8 inn.): The visiting Cougars trailed 8-6 after the fifth inning but scored twice in the sixth and twice more in the eighth to pick up an MSL win.

Mason Sykes led the way for Conant (8-16, 3-9), finishing 2-for-3 with a double and a homer, 2 walks and 3 runs score. Also having big days at the plate were Logan Smith (3-for-6), Tyler Hedmen (2-for-6), C.J. DeShazer (double), Cole Kilty (double) and Dave Sapyta (2 RBI).

Sykes pitched a hitless final 1⅔ innings and got the win.

Ryne Singsank doubled and drove in 3 runs for Elk Grove (11-12, 6-6). Zach Schwartz finished 3-for-4, AJ Navarro had 2 hits and Justin Post doubled and drove in 2 runs.

Palatine 19, Rolling Meadows 9: The visiting Pirates produced 13 hits, drew 11 walks and took advantage of 6 errors in claiming an MSL win.

Jack Grochowski doubled, finishing 2-for-4 with 4 RBI for Palatine (13-11, 7-5). Jack Hopper went 3-for-6 with a triple and drove in 3 runs, and John Weber doubled and drove in 3 runs.

Brandon Janowicz doubled and finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBI for Rolling Meadows (4-17, 2-10). Nate Pardini, Donnie Mrofcza, Ryan Lane and Matt Lothery had 2 hits apiece.

Brent Penrose pitched 3 relief innings and earned the win for the Pirates, who trailed 5-2 through 3 innings.

Leyden 9, Hinsdale South 1: The host Eagles earned a second straight win over the Hornets in West Suburban Gold action.

Starter Justin Borges was dominant, striking out six and walking one while allowing 3 hits over 6 innings.

Leadoff man Justin Aleman had 2 hits and drove in 3 runs, and Michael Wilms finished 2-for-4 as Leyden (13-4) had a total of 12 hits.

Schaumburg 6, Wheeling 5: The visiting Saxons scored once in the top of the seventh inning to take a 2-run lead, and Wheeling answered with 1 of its own in the bottom half but fell short of tying it up.

Vinnie Kandefer pitched 6 innings and earned the victory for the Saxons (6-17, 1-11). Kandefer and Jack Lancaster both doubled, Jaeden Bruner hit a home run and Tyler Fredrickson had 2 hits.

Kyle Bullock hit a solo homer for Wheeling (9-14, 5-7) and Brian Maloney and Andy Shover had 2 hits apiece as the Wildcats out-hit the Saxons 10-7 but committed 5 errors.

Christian Liberty 5, South Beloit 3: Freshman David Law earned the pitching victory and Mark Cabrera doubled to help the Chargers pick up a nonconference win.