Corsairs' win is Gandolfi's 500th
Most nonconference victories in April aren't particularly memorable over the long term.
But Carmel's 7-6 win over Sacred Heart-Griffin on Saturday will probably stick with head coach Chuck Gandolfi for awhile.
It was the 500th victory of his 20-year career.
It also came with some drama.
The Corsairs, who are now 4-0 on the season, scored 5 runs in the top of the seventh inning to make up a 3-run deficit.
Senior Brian Siedlecki led the way with 3 hits while Donald Stopka, Kevin Hendricks and David Venegoni each added 2 hits.
Venegoni also had a double.
Earlier in the day, Carmel also defeated Springfield Lanphier in eight innings, 5-3.
Siedlecki and Venegoni also came up big in this game.
Siedlecki had 2 hits, including a double, while Venegoni had a 2-run home run in the top of the eighth inning. That broke up a 3-3 tie.
Grayslake C. 1, Warren 0: It took 10 innings and some drama but Grayslake Central eventually pulled out the nonconference victory.
Shawn Tobie singled home pinch runner Andrew Weinert for the game-winning run. Weinert was running for Aaron Snyder, who opened the bottom of the 10th with his third hit of the game.
Jordan Williams, Kurt Schmidt and Nick Tielke each added 2 hits for the 5-1 Rams, who have won five straight and have allowed just 1 run in their last three games.
On the mound, starter Kevin DeRue struck out eight batters in 5 innings of work. Mitch Tielke, Steve Gawinski, Chris Polak and Pete Toth combined to close out the game in relief.
"A very exciting game for this early in the year," Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. "All of our pitchers, especially Kevin DeRue, were outstanding."
Vernon Hills 15, Crystal Lake Central 8: It was a hit-fest for Vernon Hills, which rolled up 20 hits on its way to victory.
Eleven players got hits for the Cougars, who got a 4-for-4 performance at the plate from pitcher Zack Schwartz.
Schwartz, who also collected 4 RBI and scored 3 runs, was just as tough on the mound. In his first start of the season, he gave up just 3 hits and 1 walk in 5¿ innings of service.
He also recorded 5 strikeouts.
Other multiple hitters for Vernon Hills were Nick Mazza (3-for-4), Zack Freibrun (3-for-5) and Mason Hezner (2-for-2).
Wauconda 7, Huntley 0: Adam Tagli was busy on Saturday.
The Wauconda pitcher threw a gem against Huntley, allowing just 1 hit in a complete 7-inning shutout.
On offense, he helped his cause by driving in 3 runs with a double.
Matt Machon also had a double for the Bulldogs. He drove in 2 runs.
Lakes 13, Gordon Tech 3: Lakes rolled up 15 hits in its nonconference victory.
Travis VanderWall led the way, going 2-for-2 with a 2-run homer and 3 RBI.
Andrew Highland was 2-for-3 with a triple and a double, and Aaron Piekarz had a double and scored 3 runs.
Randy Ratajczyk went 2-for-2 with 3 RBI and also got the win on the mound.
Fenwick 4, Lake Zurich 3: The Bears struggled to get key hits with runners in scoring position and it cost them.
Fenwick held Lake Zurich to just 4 this and eventually scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to break up a 3-3 tie and get the win.
Fenwick moves to 5-0 on the season.
Tim Nolan managed to have a big day for Lake Zurich, which drops to 4-3. He went 2-for-3 with a double.
Tanner Witt also had a double for the Bears.
Cary-Grove 11, Antioch 10: Cary-Grove scored 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh to edge the Sequoits in nonconference action.
Gage Ecklund had a big day for Antioch, driving in 5 runs on a 2-for-4 effort at the plate.
Jim Fracek, who also pitched 5 innings, went 2-for-3 and scored 3 runs.
Antioch falls to 0-3 on the season.