WC putting up gaudy numbers
Facing Westminster Christian's lineup has become a pitcher's worst nightmare.
Don't believe it? Try these hitting statistics on for size:
Through Wednesday's sweep of Private School League rival Wheaton Academy, the Warriors (19-4, 11-0) had scored 232 runs in 23 games, an average of 10.1 per outing.
Westminster was hitting .396 as a team, led by the area's leading hitter, senior shortstop Cory Hodge, who was batting .537 (29-for-54) with 7 doubles, 4 home runs, 23 RBI and 31 runs scored.
Other Warriors with averages above .400 include center fielder Casey Schuring (.474, 36-for-76), catcher Carter Ward (.462, 30-for-65), senior pitcher Brandon Siewert (.415, 17-for-41) and pitcher/DH Ben Palmer (.400, 20-for-50).
Other regulars enjoying solid-to-above-average seasons include Ryan Donahue (.397), Tyler Beachler (.378), Ted Grossman (.306) Chad Schroy (.278) and Zachary Holmer (.275).
The Warriors have belted 23 home runs, or 1 per game. Their leader is Ward with 7 home runs, already a school record. A dangerous hitter last season, Ward spent the winter in the weight room adding muscle to his frame.
That strength was apparent Wednesday when he launched his seventh of the year, a line-drive home run that coach Jeff Moeller described as "scalded." If Ward hits 5 more home runs, he can finish with one of the top 50 power performances in state history.
"Carter has always been a good contact guy, then all the weightlifting he did to strengthen up put a little more pop in his bat," Moeller said. "He already had quick hands, so adding strength to quick hands gives you pretty good results.
"It just seems like the kids are hitting the ball on the button."
Taking pitches: Huntley endured a midweek road block in its drive for the Fox Division title due to consecutive losses to Prairie Ridge Tuesday and Wednesday, games in which the Red Raiders were limited to 3 runs combined.
That was quite a feat for Prairie Ridge pitching, particularly Nebraska-bound starter Mike Heesch, who tossed a 2-0 shutout against Huntley on Tuesday.
Coming into that game Huntley had been batting .351 as a team, led by junior Craig Lipp, who was hitting .483 (29-for-60) with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, 24 RBI and 19 runs scored.
Much of Huntley's success can be traced to a patient outlook at the plate. In their first 20 games, the Red Raiders had struck out 77 times while taking 75 walks, an unusual display of patience for a high school team.
"Except for that loss on Tuesday, our guys have had real nice plate discipline, especially our 2-strike approach," Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said. "They're finding ways to shorten up, put the ball in play and they've been outstanding all year."
Pitching prowess: Hampshire lost seven of its first nine games this season but the Whip-Purs (9-9) clawed back to the break-even mark Wednesday with a doubleheader sweep of Rockford Chrstian Life.
The turnaround can be traced directly to the mound, where the Whips boasted three of the area's top ERAs entering play this week.
Sophomore Ryan Burke leads the area with a 0.72 ERA in 19¿ innings. Junior Erik Chellberg was third in the area with an ERA of 0.93 before he allowed a pair of earned runs in Tuesday's loss to North Boone.
Kent Larson (3-2), who earned his third victory of the season on Wednesday against Rockford Christian Life, was seventh in the area with an ERA of 1.71.