Storm ties up Palatine, EG

Kevin Becker saw the storm clouds rolling in and knew he couldn't allow even the smallest outburst Friday.

The Palatine junior left-hander and Elk Grove righty Chris D'Angelo were in the fifth inning of a scoreless Mid-Suburban League baseball crossover when the lightning detector sounded and held up play.

And after a 48-minute delay, Becker could clearly see what was at stake with darkening skies when he returned to the mound with a 2-2 count and one out in the bottom of the fifth.

"We definitely would be done with the game," Becker said if he made one mistake.

Becker gave up a single to D'Angelo, but he got out of the inning with a groundout and strikeout. The umpires spotted lightning just before the detector went off again and play was halted for good.

The game will resume in the top of the sixth at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Elk Grove.

"One run," said Elk Grove coach Terry Beyna with a grimace.

Elk Grove had runners at second and third in the first but Becker stranded them with 2 of his 6 strikeouts. He didn't give up his first hit until Matt Martinski doubled off the base of the center-field fence with one out in the fourth.

But after a walk, Becker ended the threat with a popout and a comebacker.

"He's had strong outings throughout the year and responded real well to a starting role," said Palatine coach Paul Belo. "He did a nice job of mixing his pitches and changing the pace."

D'Angelo was also on top of his game as he scattered 3 singles -- two to Matt Wieber and the other to Jeff Emerich -- and had 6 strikeouts and 1 walk.

D'Angelo stranded a runner at third with a flyout in the third and catcher Tony Logli threw out a runner trying to steal and picked off another at first for the first out of the fifth.

"That kid did a nice job, too," Belo said after D'Angelo threw 40 of his 59 pitches for strikes.

With three days rest, it's possible D'Angelo and Becker could resume their duel Tuesday. And Becker, who threw 48 of his 77 pitches for strikes, didn't let a long delay affect his strong start.

"I knew we'd get back out there and I thought about what I had to do," Becker said. "I talked to my catcher (Andy Prombo) about what pitches to throw."

Schaumburg 5, Hersey 1: Schaumburg was an out away from an official MSL game when the lightning detector sounded at Hersey.

But after a 50-minute delay, Andy Brandt (4-1) got the final out of the fifth and the Saxons (11-4, 6-2) had a victory when the game was called in the sixth.

Brandt needed just 58 pitches as he allowed 2 hits and an unearned run. The left-handed senior had 2 strikeouts and no walks.

George Kalousek went 2-for-3 with a solo homer in the third, his sixth, and an RBI single. Mike Mistrata's third homer was a 2-run shot in the fifth.

The other MSL games -- Fremd at Wheeling, Conant at Rolling Meadows, Barrington at Prospect and Hoffman Estates at Buffalo Grove -- were called because of bad weather before they were official. They will be replayed in their entirety next week.

St. Viator 3, Maine East 2: St. Viator (10-8) was an out from a potential weather-shortened loss when Brett Kay hit a tying homer through the strong southwest win to right-center in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Shane Owens walked and as he was attempting to steal, Jack Meyer hit a run-scoring double.

The nonconference game was called in the top of the sixth because of rain. Mike Bordes got the win with an inning of relief and starter Eric Hoffman had 9 strikeouts in 4 innings.

Flyers Classic title set: Schaumburg and Joliet Catholic will meet for the championship of the eighth annual Schaumburg Flyers High School Baseball Classic at 5 p.m. on May 8 at Alexian Field.

Schaumburg and Barrington will also play their MSL West game on May 7 at Alexian.