Baseball: Ahn, Warren end Lake Zurich's win streak at 7

Lake Zurich's baseball team rolled over to Warren High School on Saturday, and a seven-game winning streak was on the line.

After 3 at-bats, the Bears were up a couple of runs.

And then a few oddities stepped in. In the top of the third, Lake Zurich had a runner picked off first and at third.

"That was huge,'' said Warren coach Clint Smothers. "I have never seen that before. Not at first and third."

Momentum in baseball? Warren had three 3-run innings. Lake Zurich (7-3) left the bases loaded in the seventh and fell 9-8 in Gurnee on Saturday morning.

There were other items to discuss. Like Warren's ninth-place hitter, Daniel Ahn. All he did was launch 3 doubles.

Lake Zurich leadoff man, Austin Mastuszewski fell a triple short of a cycle. His 3-run homer to center gave the Bears a late lead.

But what about the player who batted last, the one who had a three-double game?

"The biggest thing was hitting for him,'' Smothers said. "But you have give him credit. He worked his pants off for this."

Ahn was quick to credit his coaching staff for his rapid improvement.

"This was a nail-biter,'' Ahn said. "But it was a fun game. At the beginning of the season, coach Smothers said to trust my swing. And to go to right field."

Ahn's first two-bagger ignited a 3-run third for the Blue Devils. Nathan Rentas drove in 1 run. Catcher Sam Deluca supplied an RBI triple.

Lake Zurich waited one inning to knot this game up. Josh Anderson opened the rally with a double. Pitcher Jake Schwartz drove him home with a sacrifice fly.

"Yes, we had a 7-game winning streak,'' said Lake Zurich coach Rick Erickson. "But it was one of those games where our defense didn't play up to its capabilities. But give credit to Warren for their two-out rallies."

Ahn's second double led off the fifth. Rentas supplied an RBI double.

The sixth was Lake Zurich's time to shine. Shortstop Michael Chialdikas (3-4) had an RBI hit.

"He's a really good player,'' Erickson said.

Matuszewski's 3-run shot gave the Bears the lead back.

Again, the bottom of the order connected. Ahn doubled and scored on a few Lake Zurich errors. Ahn also enjoys playing shortstop,

"You are in control of the infield,'' Ahn said. "I really like that. We really have a great group here."