Rolling Meadows 11, Buffalo Grove 3

Jon Carlson and Mid-Suburban East baseball leader Rolling Meadows also played a spoiler's role Friday.

Carlson allowed only 1 run and 1 hit in 6 innings and his RBI single sparked an 8-run third inning as Meadows rolled 11-3 on a day Buffalo Grove celebrated the career of retiring head coach John Wendell.

Carlson struggled through 4 innings Monday in a game the Mustangs (14-7, 9-4) lost to Prospect (13-11, 9-5).

But on Friday, the junior-left-hander allowed only a second-inning single to Connor O'Gara. Six of his 9 strikeouts came in the first 2 innings as the Mustangs kept a half-game lead in the East with a home makeup game with Elk Grove today.

"If you take out the first inning-and-a-half, the rest of the game was as good as he's thrown," said Meadows catcher Ben Sabal of Carlson throwing 49 of his 127 pitches the first 2 innings.

"I just had a better feeling on the mound today," Carlson said. "I told coach (assistant Dave) Geeve in the bullpen I felt really good.

"I wasn't really hitting my spots (Monday). This time was a lot better."

Carlson still wasn't happy about 5 walks -- one of which led to the only run he allowed in the fifth. But he avoided early trouble by leaving the bases loaded in the first and two runners on in the second.

"Jon threw the ball well and had good velocity," said Meadows coach Jim Lindeman. "This was more like what he normally does."

A double by Sabal (3-for-5) and bunt single by Garrett Cannizzo (2-for-2) set up Meadows' first run on Ted Metzger's groundout in the second. An error to start the third fueled the third-inning breakthrough.

Dan Lauria, who had a 2-run homer in the seventh and went 3-for-5, had 2 hits and an RBI single. Sabal and Scott Wenzel had 2 run singles and Cannizzo had a 2-run double as Meadows took a 9-0 lead.

"It was nice to jump up early," Sabal said.

Mike Ricciardi drove in all 3 runs for BG (8-12, 4-10) with a fifth-inning grounder and a 2-run double in the seventh.

A large contingent of family, friends, former players and coaches turned out for the last regular-season home game of Wendell's 23-year career as BG's head coach.

"It was amazing seeing all these people that were here," Wendell said. "I really appreciate the administration and people that have supported me. They've been tremendous the last 23 years."

Schaumburg 3, Hoffman 2: Steve Mahler went 2-for-2 with a triple and scored the winning run in the sixth inning on a single by Dan Launhardt as the host Saxons (17-6, 11-3) clinched at least a share of their second straight MSL West title and ninth division title in school history.

Andy Brandt (6-2) went the distance as Schaumburg can win the division outright with a win Monday at Palatine.

Matt St. John and Alex Fett doubled and went 3-for-3 for Hoffman (8-11, 4-9).

Prospect 9, Wheeling 0: Tim Scanlan went 3-for-4 with a homer and 4 RBI to help the visiting Knights (13-11, 9-5) win in the MSL East and stay one-half game behind division leader Rolling Meadows.

Jason Leblebijian tripled and drove in 2 runs for Prospect to help make a winner of Dominic Pugliese.

Barrington 3, Palatine 2: Sean Buchholz tossed a complete-game 4-hitter and the host Broncos (14-10, 9-5) came from behind to edge the Pirates in MSL West play.

Barrington trailed 1-0 after the top of the fifth but took the lead for good in the bottom half after RBI singles from Jack Golek, Bryan Grabowski and Gus Handler.

Buchholz struck out eight for Barrington.

Steven Reis took the loss for Palatine (9-16, 6-7).

Fremd 12, Conant 7: Mike Tauchman went 2-for-3 with a double, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored as the host Vikings rolled in MSL West play.

Nick Addison went 3-for-4 with a double and Brandon Middlebrook went 2-for-4 with 2 runs for Fremd (13-6, 8-5).

Bobby Colucci and Mark Chereso both had 2 hits for Conant (8-11, 5-8).

Hersey 8, Elk Grove 4:ŒThe visiting Huskies stayed hot and picked up an MSL Easet win at Elk Grove.

Ryan Busse allowed 11 hits in 6½ innings to earn the victory, and Joe Koziol finished things off to earn a save for Hersey (14-12, 6-8).

Matt Martinski homered for Elk Grove (11-14, 5-8).