Wrap: Geier's strong effort not enough for Larkin
With the wind blowing in and Neuqua Valley's Mike McKinley on the mound in Naperville Thursday, raise your hand if you expected a fast, low-scoring game.
If your hand is up in the air, congratulations. Give yourself a pat on the back.
In a game that lasted just an hour and a half, McKinley once again led the Wildcats to victory, a 6-1 decision that saw McKinley strike out seven Royals hitters.
"Curveball, definitely with two strikes, was working, and our infield played pretty well," McKinley (6-1) said. "The fastball was good with the wind blowing in, which helps a lot."
Larkin's lone run against McKinley came in the top of the third, when senior third baseman John Banks' infield single scored leadoff hitter Justin Kalusa.
Neuqua Valley (22-3, 17-1 Upstate Eight Conference) answered back in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on a pair of Royals errors to take a 3-1 lead. Shortstop Travis Weldon's double to the right field wall scored Jordan Williamson, tying the game at 1-1. Jason David poked an infield single three batters later, giving the Wildcats the 2-run advantage.
For David, the team-wide approach at the plate remains simple.
"We just come out swinging," David said. "Hit the ball as hard as we can, and get lucky sometimes."
Larkin (10-12, 9-10) coach Doug Ellett felt starter Luc Geier pitched well enough to win, but the defensive lapses proved too much to overcome.
"I thought he threw very, very well," Ellett said. "He changed speeds a lot, and I thought maybe in the whole game made two bad pitches.
"We were trying to play some small ball, and we were hoping to win a 3-2 ballgame or something like that. We really let them relax when we gave them three runs in the fourth inning. If we get out of that and we're ahead 1-0, you've maybe got a different ballgame."
Neuqua Valley tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, two of which came on catcher Geoff Rowan's line-drive double into the left-center field gap. Senior Brian McNabb's RBI-single to right field scored the game's final run.
The Wildcats hitters adjusted to Geier the second time through the lineup, earning good at-bats against the type of pitcher they typically struggle with.
"We didn't know we were going to make the adjustments the second time through," Wildcats coach Robin Renner said. "I thought (Geier) did a really good job of throwing his breaking ball and changeup for strikes … and we struggle with those types of pitchers."
Baseball
St. Charles North 8, Elgin 0: With Ben Hamblen recording the lone Elgin hit of the game, the Maroons (5-16, 5-15) dropped this Upstate Eight Conference game. Tom Roth (3-4) was on the mound for the loss allowing 5 runs (all unearned) on 4 hits while striking out four.
Streamwood 9, Lake Park 6: Brian Brauer (2-for-4) led at the plate for the Sabres (10-14, 9-10) hitting a double with 2 RBI to help defeat Lake Park for an Upstate Eight victory. Tim Martin was on the mound pitching 6½ innings allowing 8 hits with 4 walks to gain the win. Ryan Kiesel (2-for-5) also contributed at the dish.
Marmion Academy 8, St. Edward 2: The Green Wave (6-11, 5-8) dropped this Suburban Catholic Conference game to Marmion Academy. Kyle Tortelott (1-1) suffered the loss pitching just one inning. Moses Quiroga finished the next 5 innings recording 3 strikeouts with 1 walk. Jordan Torres (1-for-3) led at the plate with a triple for St. Edward.
Joliet Catholic 13, Schaumburg 2: Thursday's championship of the Schaumburg Flyers High School Classic had the potential to be an exclamation point on a solid week for Schaumburg.
After defeating Mid-Suburban League West Division rival Barrington 4-1 Wednesday, the Saxons entered their matchup against state powerhouse Joliet Catholic with high hopes.
But the Hilltoppers spoiled those plans with a 13-2 victory in five innings at Alexian Field in Schaumburg.
Coach Paul Groot of the Saxons (16-6) put it simply after his team took home a second-place trophy with the loss.
"We got beat by a better club today," Groot said.
Delayed nearly a month because of inclement weather in early April, the title game came in the midst of conference play for both squads.
"It's tough playing this championship classic right in the middle of the season," Groot said. "We're still trying to lock down our conference. We knew we were going to see a real good club and they took it to us."
The Hilltoppers (22-4) scored 4 runs in the first inning against Saxons starter Kyle Pusateri, who gave up 5 earned runs and 8 hits in 2 innings.
The top of the Hilltoppers' lineup went a combined 7-for-16, highlighted by senior second baseman Nick Ratajczak(3-for-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI) and Arizona State-bound senior center fielder John Ruettiger (2-2, 2 runs).
"It (the top of the order) really opens the flood gates and gets the team going every game," said Ruettiger, who earned all-tournament honors.
-- Dan Hyman
Girls soccer
St. Edward 4, South Elgin 0: Behind a Brittany Brozek hat trick, St. Edward (8-8-2) concluded the 2008 regular season with this 4-0 nonconference win over South Elgin. Brozek was assisted by Bianca Ramirez, Alex Rubio and Colleen Kerger. Taylor Barone added a single knock off a dish from Rubio. In the net, Taylor Hunsberger collected 10 saves to maintain the shutout.
Burlington Central 4, Marengo 1: Bekah Haberkost led the Rockets (11-7-1, 6-1) to victory scoring the first 2 goals against Marengo for a Big Northern East victory. Bri Conran and Kelly Engelking also contributed with a goal each. Engelking also managed to snag 3 assists while teammate Heather Ferstl added one as well. Kim DeRaedt was in goal for the Rockets tallying 6 saves.
Boys volleyball
Bartlett d. Larkin: Chris Guimon posted 12 kills to lead the Hawks (14-10, 5-2) past Larkin for an Upstate Eight Conference victory. Sam Hillis put away 7 kills while teammate John Campolo was busy at the net with 4 blocks and 5 kills. For Larkin Brad Potts posted 8 kills while Brendyn Dobbeck collected 10 assists with 2 kills
and 2 aces.