Lisle dumps St. Edward in Class 2A regional final

Lisle shortstop Jay Osika wanted to help his team break its hitting slump.

Osika said the last 4 games, the Lions' have not hit the ball the way they wanted to.

Osika jump-started Lisle with a triple to lead off the game, scored a batter later, and the Lions never trailed St. Edward in winning the Class 2A Aurora Christian baseball regional title 8-6 at Waubonsee Community College Saturday. The title is the third straight for Lisle (15-13).

"We started hitting the ball after that," said Osika, who went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and a run scored. "Before that, in the last 4 games we've been in kind of a slump. We were able to break out of that."

Lisle used the wind to crank out 3 triples against St. Edward (8-13), after hitting just 5 all season. Starting pitcher Jon Kolosky jacked the other 2 triples and scored both times as Lisle took a 7-1 advantage into the top of the fourth.

That's when things got interesting for the Green Wave.

St. Edward nearly kept its Cinderella season alive cranking out 5 runs off of 7 hits in the final four innings.

"We never gave up," St. Edward catcher Kyle Horn said. "We kept our heads up, we kept each other moving. We definitely could have closed the gap earlier."

The Green Wave nearly closed the gap late. Center fielder Jordan Jayne robbed Green Wave left fielder Jordan Torres of a sure double to lead off the seventh inning. Riley Coleman smacked a single a batter later, which would have scored Torres from second.

Instead, Coleman was stranded on first as Jon Surber picked up his second save of the season striking out the final two Green Wave batters to end the game.

St. Edward left 8 runners stranded in the game, including 6 in scoring position.

"We left a bunch of people on in those middle innings," St. Edward coach Gene Belmonte said. We were a basehit away from opening this up."

Lisle always seemed to find that base hit.

Jayne and Ryne McGovern singled to lead off the second and scored on Osika's 2-run single. The duo and Billy Potter all reached base to open the third, with all three scoring. Kolosky tripled to open the fourth and then scored on Potter's RBI single.

"We were making good contact," Lisle coach Pete Meyer said. "We were fortunate to hit the gaps. The guys had a good approach."

Osika (1-3) picked up the win for Lisle, going 2¿ innings and giving up 1 earned run off of 4 hits. Mike Kondrath (2-3) took the loss for the Green Wave allowing 6 earned runs off of 9 hits in 3 innings work.

Cary-Grove 12, Woodstock 2: Pounding out 15 hits led by Kyle Williams (2b), Kegan Mascarella (2b), Corey Bruns (2b), Donnie Fitzgerald (2b) and Nick Hammonds (3b), Cary-Grove (22-8, 11-4) earned this Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win. Matt Nelson (8-0) was on the hill fanning two.

Huntley 4, Grayslake Central 2: Craig Lipp allowed just 2 hits on the mound for Huntley (19-14, 7-8) in this Fox Valley Conference Fox Division win. At the plate, Tyler Funke (hit, RBI), Chris Klein (2-for-3, 2b, run, RBI) and Raymond Foote (2b, 2 runs, RBI) led the Red Raider attack.

Prairie Ridge 6, Johnsburg 1: Prairie Ridge (25-8, 15-0) became the first team to ever go unbeaten in Fox Valley Conference Fox Division, action according to Wolves coach Dave Haskins. On the mound, T.J. Swank led the way with a 1-hit performance and 10 strikeouts. Swank helped himself at the plate with a home run. Additional offense came from Nick Martini (HR, 2 RBI) and Logan Olson (2-for-3).

"It is a great accomplishment to go undefeated in conference play," said Haskins. "The kids worked hard and are deserving."

DeKalb 5, Elgin 1: Isaac Serna endured this nonconference loss on the mound for Elgin (5-22). Serna allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits while striking out three. Carlos Espinoza had the lone RBI of the game for the Maroons.

Larkin 7, Burlington Central 6: Trailing 6-5 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Larkin (13-15) saw 2 runs cross the plate for this come-from-behind nonconference win over Burlington Central (15-11). Justin Kalusa had the game-winning hit and was 2-for-4 to lead the Royals. John Banks (2-for-4, RBI) added timely hitting. Jon Meidel (1-0) earned his first win pitching 2 innings with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks.

For Burlington Central, Austin Jarvis (2-for-2, RBI) and Bryan Bell (hit, RBI) led offensive efforts. Mike Doty (1-1) suffered the loss for the Rockets on the mound throwing 4 innings with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.