Wrap: Schnitzer delivers for Cougars

In a must-win game Thursday, Vernon Hills baseball coach Jay Czarnecki went with ace Brad Schnitzer, and the senior lefty delivered.

Schnitzer pitched a complete game, allowing 6 hits, as the host Cougars defeated Grant 6-1.

Vernon Hills now leads Antioch by 1 game in the North Suburban Conference Prairie Division race.

Antioch lost in extra innings to Lakes on Thursday to finish 10-2 in the division. Vernon Hills hosts Lakes today and is scheduled to complete a game at Wauconda on Saturday.

Schnitzer helped himself at the plate against Grant, as well, going 3-for-4. Joey Nichols was 2-for-4, while Zack Schwartz had a single and 3 RBI. Brett Heneks had a double.

Schnitzer improved to 5-1 on the mound, striking out eight and not walking a batter.

Lakes 5, Antioch 4: After giving up a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh, the Eagles scored a run on a throwing error in the top of the eighth to give them a big North Suburban Prairie Division win.

The loss for Antioch (12-10) means the Sequoits finish 10-2 in the division.

With the score tied 4-4 in thr eighth, Lakes DH Eric Lopez led off the inning with an infield single.

Andrew Donovan pinch-ran at first base. Randy Ratajczyk then bunted and was thrown out at first base, but with third base uncovered, Donovan kept running. When the ball was thrown away, Donovan scored.

Travis Vanderwall pitched 1½ innings in relief to earn the win. Lakes (13-10, 7-4) was led offensively by Lopez (3-for-4, double), Kyle Frye (2-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI) and D.J. Szuhay (1-for-3, RBI).

Logan Kent and Andy Danna homered for Antioch. Kent also had a single.

Ken Karagiorgas struck out 10 batters in suffering the loss. He allowed 3 earned runs in pitching all 8 innings.

Mundelein 4, Warren 2: Eric Rohe won again, improving to 11-0, as the Mustangs wrapped up a share of the North Suburban Lake Division title.

Rohe pitched 5 innings, striking out 11 and allowing no earned runs and 3 hits, as the Mustangs avenged Tuesday's loss to the Blue Devils.

Jack Walliser went 2-for-3 for Mundelein (22-3, 10-2).

Sean Kennedy was 2-for-3 with 2 doubles for Warren (13-12, 5-7).

Libertyville 11, Carmel 5: The Wildcats got home runs from Joey Aiello and Tom Jacobson in the nonconference game.

Jeff Jenkins earned the win, striking out six.

Jeremy Butler went 4-for-4 with 4 RBI for Libertyville (18-9). Tim Matheson and Louis Educate both doubled.

Donald Stopka homered for Carmel (19-3).

Grayslake C., 5, CL South 3: The visiting Rams combined the strong pitching performance of sophomore Mitch Tielke and the clutch RBI doubles by seniors Nick Tielke and Matt Schmidt.

Tielke tossed a 3-hitter through 5 innings in picking up his third win. Senior lefty Steve Gawinski recorded the final five outs for his third save.

Jordaan Williams added a pair of singles for the 15-9 Rams.

Softball

Vernon Hills 4, Grant 0: Marci Pasquesi pitched a complete-game shutout, as the Cougars completed a perfect run through the North Suburban Prairie Division.

Vernon Hills (25-3, 12-0) got 2 hits apiece from Erin Christensen, Pasquesi and Alyssa Dougherty. Adriana Longobardi had a double and 2 RBI.

Lake Zurich 2, Stevenson 0: Katie Buczynski went the distance, striking out six and allowing 2 hits, as the Bears capped a perfect season in the North Suburban Lake Division.

Coryn Schmit had a single and an RBI for Lake Zurich (20-3, 12-0).

Antioch 6, Lakes 4: Ashley Mysliwiec hit a 2-run homer in the seventh to tie it and Allie Anttila jacked a 2-run shot to win it for the Sequoits.