Wrap: VH clinches share of Prairie
Thanks to a 9-4 win over Lakes on Friday, Vernon Hills' baseball team ensured itself at least a share of the North Suburban Prairie Division crown.
Vernon Hills put together a 6-run second inning to set the tone.
Ryan Jordan led the way with 3 hits, including a triple, and Jeff Epner and P.J. Marsek each added 2 hits.
On the mound, Nick Mazza, Joe Nichols and Zack Schwartz pieced it together for the Cougars, with Mazza ultimately getting the win. He tallied 3 strikeouts and gave up just 2 walks in 3¿ innings of service.
Defensively, Vernon Hills got a couple of great plays from Schwartz and Mark Argianas
Warren 5, Carmel 1: Chad Johnson and Vince Viverito both belted home runs to lead Warren to the upset win over the top-ranked Corsairs.
Warren jumped on the board quickly with 3 runs in the top of the first inning.
Both Viverito and Johnson finished with 2 hits on the day.
Meanwhile, pitcher Tony Roberts moved to 3-2 on the mound with the win. He gave up just 3 walks and 4 hits in going the distance.
For Carmel, both Brian Siedlecki and Donald Stopka tallied 2 hits.
Huntley 4, Grayslake C. 2: Grayslake Central got a solid pitching performance out of Aaron Snyder.
The Rams also rolled up 11 hits.
But neither effort was enough.
"We had poor offensive execution on both the bases and at the plate," Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. "You expect to win the game when you get 11 hits, but if you can't get the clutch hit, it defeats the purpose."
Nick Tielke had 3 hits while Jordaan Williams and Shawn Tobie each had 2 hits.
Mike Gentile and Sean Seiler doubled for the Rams, who drop to 15-10 on the season.
Highland Park 14, Grant 2: Grant jumped out to a 4-1 lead through the first two innings but by the fifth inning, Highland Park had rallied for a 5-4 lead.
The Giants then scored 10 runs in the sixth inning to completely blow the game open.
For Grant, which drops to 8-14, Kyle Stroup had a 2-run homer in the first inning.
Softball
Grayslake Central 11, Crystal Lake Central 0: While pitcher Monika Wedick held Crystal Lake Central to 1 hit, the Rams rolled up 17 hits en route to the victory.
Wedick, Kelly Silver, Alison Johnson and Mary Karol all had 3 hits.
Johnson had 2 doubles.
Wedick also had 10 strikeouts.
Prairie Ridge 4, Grayslake N. 3: Prairie Ridge scored 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally for the win.
For Grayslake North (8-15), Sam Myers and Sam Fletcher each had 2 hits. Jamie Breitweiser, Carly Borders and Mindy Runge all had doubles.
New Trier 7, Warren 1: Warren had 6 errors in the nonconference loss.
The Blue Devils managed only 3 hits, on singles by Alex Booker, Sam Berrios and Kayla Hurd.
Girls soccer
Lakes 2, Loyola 2: After a scoreless first half, both teams came alive offensively.
For Lakes, Ashley Chernich and Alex Neal both scored goals -- Chernich off an assist by Lisa Raetzman and Neal off a penalty kick.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jessica Schroeder had 9 saves for the Eagles, who move to 12-8-1.
Boys volleyball
Buffalo Grove d. Stevenson: Stevenson was denied its 20th win of the season, losing 22-25, 22-25.
The Patriots (19-14) got a team-high 7 kills from Brad Feiger and 5 kills apiece from Drew Vravick and Matt Ockrim.
Harrison Kay led Stevenson with 14 digs and setter Jason Giecek had 19 assists.
Boys lacrosse
Lake Zurich 15, Notre Dame 0: On Senior Night, Lake Zurich put on a show that the seniors will remember for years to come.
The Bears were out to a 13-0 lead by halftime.
Senior goalie Nick Solarz got a shutout with 7 saves.
The Bears got 5 goals from Connor Corley and 2 goals apiece from Caleb Noble and Scott Eschenbaum.