Larkin 4, Elgin 3
The wind was blowing straight out at Elgin High School, but that's not why Larkin catcher Jake Kane liked hitting there Monday afternoon.
"I could see the ball real well with their (green hitting) backdrop," Kane said. "I just saw it in my zone, so I finished it."
Kane and Larkin pitcher John Banks finished off rival Elgin 4-3 to take Game 1 of a two-game Upstate Eight Conference series that concludes today on the other side of town, weather permitting.
Kane went 2-for-3 with a 2-run home run and a run-scoring double and Banks improved his two-year varsity record to 6-0 by fending off an Elgin scoring threat in the seventh inning to seal the win.
Trailing by a run, the Maroons (0-3, 0-3) threatened in the seventh when pinch hitter Cody Thomas led off by coaxing the only walk Banks issued all afternoon.
Sergio Fuentes, who entered the game as the No. 9 hitter after starter Tyler Loiseau left the game with a quadriceps strain, executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to put Thomas in scoring position with one out.
But Banks buckled down to get a strikeout and a flyball to left field that Larkin's Cam Kinley squeezed to end the game.
The win, Banks' first of the season in his second start, improved his two-year varsity record to 6-0.
"I find it more exciting to get into those kinds of situations," Banks said of the seventh-inning jam. "Rather than with a big lead, I tend to pitch better if it's a little closer. I knew I had a good defense out there behind me. Jake was putting the bat on the ball well, so I just had to go out there and throw strikes, stay ahead, stay ahead, stay ahead and concentrate on the batters."
Larkin took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Banks drew a walk with two outs from Elgin pitcher Isaac Serna and Kane followed with a 2-run blast over the wall in left-center field that clanged off the roof of a parked school bus that was unloading passengers at the time.
Focused on rounding first base, Kane was unaware he'd hit the bus until his teammates informed him after he circled the bases.
"I come in (to the dugout), and they said, 'Yeah, you hit the bus. The bus driver just had to go move it.'"
Said Serna: "That first inning home run did it for them."
Elgin cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the first. Dan Schmerber led off with a single, moved to second on Ben Stone's sacrifice bunt, stole third and scampered home when Kane's throw to third base sailed into left field.
The Maroons (0-3, 0-3) tied the game at 2 in the fifth inning and would have taken the lead if not for an unfortunately timed injury. Ben Hamblen led the inning off with a double, moved to third on Mike Stackowiak's groundout and scored when Tyler Loiseau singled with two outs.
Loiseau then stole second base, but he strained his quad in doing so. He tried to gut it out, but when Schmerber followed with what should have been a run-scoring single up the middle Loiseau had to pull up at third and was forced to leave the game. Banks then induced a flyball to center field to escape further damage.
Larkin answered in the sixth inning with 2 runs to take a 4-2 lead. Banks (2-for-2, 2 runs) led off with an infield single and Kane sent a shot to right center that one-hopped the wall, scoring Banks. Luc Geier's groundout would later score courtesy runner Chris Bauer.
"We have little glimpses at times of being a pretty decent ballclub and that's one of them," Larkin coach Doug Ellett said. "When they came back and scored and tied it up, we came back and scored and added. Good teams traditionally do those kinds of things."
Elgin played well overall, but couldn't get the clutch hit in the seventh it needed to tie the game.
"You have to want to get that hit with guys in scoring position," Maroons coach David Foerster said. "We're taking too many strikes and too many strike threes.
"Credit Banks. He did a nice job. You know, it was there for us. It was typical Elgin-Larkin. It was an emotional game and well played for the most part."
Hampshire 14, Rockford Christian 2: Hampshire (2-4) busted out the bats as it defeated Rockford Christian in 5 innings. Collecting 12 hits the Whip Purs were led by Zach Crinigan (4 for 5, RBI), Ryan Burke 2 for 4, 2 RBI 2B). Luc Meyer (2 for 3, 2 RBI) and teammate Tyler Bentley (2 for 3) also contributed to Hampshire's victory. Erik Chellberg picked up his second victory this season pitching all 5 innings and posting 5 strikeouts.
Huntley 2, Sycamore 1: The Red Raiders (6-3) battled Sycamore in nonconference action and came out on top. Tyler Funke led at the plate going 1 for 2 with a double for Huntley. Nate Prokuski snagged his fourth straight win this season pitching all 7 innings collecting 10 strikeouts with only 2 walks.
St. Edward 14, Northridge Prep 0: The Green Wave (1-4) grabbed their first victory of the season over Northridge Prep in nonconference play. St. Edward's bats were on fire as Jordan Torres (2 for 4, 6 RBI, 2B, HR) led the way. T.J. Madzy (2 for 4) and Anthony Bauer (2 for 4) added doubles for the Green Wave. Adam Gilles (3 for 4) and Kyle Tourtellott (3 for 3) also contributed at the plate for St. Edward. Riley Coleman pitched all 5 innings tallying 6 strikeouts with 1 walk.
Waubonsie Valley 6, South Elgin 1: The South Elgin Storm fell in this Upstate Eight Conference battle to Waubonsie Valley. Ryan Kellner (1 for 3) and Chris Ciccone (1 for 4) each had a double for South Elgin. Jonathon Meuser also went 1 for 2 with 1 RBI. Josh Myers took the loss on the mound pitching 6 innings allowing 7 hits with 1 walk and 3 strike outs.
Lake Park 2, Bartlett 0: In the Upstate Eight Conference the Hawks (3-2, 2-1) fell to Lake Park. Bartlett combined for 3 hits as Alex VanNess went 2 for 3. Kyle King suffered the loss pitching 5 inning, striking out 9 with 2 walks, and only allowing 1 hit.
Streamwood 7, Burlington Central 5: In nonconference action the Sabres defeated Burlington Central (3-5). Mike Diebold picked up the win pitching 2 innings with 2 strikeouts. The Rockets were led at the plate by Bryan Bell who was 2 for 4 with a home run, double and 3 RBI. Streamwood was led by Ryan Kiesel who went 2 for 3 with a double and home run.
Cary-Grove 12, Fremd 11: The Trojans (9-0) came out victorious as they defeated Fremd in a tough battle. Kyle Williams had an outstanding performance going 5 for 5 at the plate with a 3-run home run and a grand slam home run for Cary-Grove. Chris Waylock (3 for 4) and Matt Nelsen (2 for 3) also contributed for Cary-Grove. Matt Nelsen (3-0) pitched 3 innings with 6 hits and 1 walk for the win.
Jacobs 4, Barrington 2: The Eagles (3-1) battled Barrington and came out on top for a nonconference victory. Nick Panvino was on the mound pitching a 2 hitter and posting 3 strikeouts. Bobby Molinaro led Jacobs going 2 for 2.
Crystal Lake South 15, Lakes 7: The Gators (3-1) came ready to play as Crystal Lake South defeated Lakes with a combined 17 hits. Sean Wilson led for the Gators with a home run while teammates Gavin Meyer and Wesley Evans each added a double. James Vazquez also contributed hitting a triple for CLS. Ian Gardeck pitched 3 innings for the win posting 7 strike outs and 3 walks to improve his record to 3-0 this season.
Westminster Christian 14, Kirkland Hiawatha 0: The Warriors (6-3-1) rolled past Kirkland Hiawatha in 5 innings. Combining for 10 hits Westminster was led by Cory Hodge at the plate going 3 for 4 with a triple and 4 RBI. Ted Grossman (2 for 3, 2 RBI), Burlin (2 for 3, 2 RBI) and Schuring (2 for 3, 2 stolen bases) all added to this victory. Ryan Donahue (2-1) gained the win pitching 5 innings with 4 strike outs and 5 walks.