Geneva 6, Streamwood 0
Maybe Chris Jordan just couldn't wait for his dinner.
Whatever the case, Geneva's senior right-hander made fast work of Streamwood, tossing a 3-hit shutout during the Vikings' 6-0 victory in Wednesday's Class 4A regional baseball semifinal clash.
Jordan (6-5), who struck out three and walked two, turned in an economical effort, throwing just 76 pitches (52 for strikes) in a complete-game performance.
"I just tried to get them out as quick as I could," said Jordan, who retired the final 13 batters, including a called third strike to finish off the 20th-seeded Sabres (13-19).
Jordan actually began the game a little shaky, walking leadoff hitter Ryan Kiesel and then giving up a single to Brian Brauer.
"I was a little nervous at the start," admitted Jordan.
After Matt Korntved's groundout advanced runners to second and third, Jordan recorded a strikeout and groundout to escape the threat.
"It helped a lot," said Jordan. "I lost the guy (Kiesel) with two strikes and then I got out of it and I was happy. Our defense was great today -- they made every play."
Fourth-seeded Geneva (20-11) staked its ace to an early lead with a run in the bottom half of the first inning.
Kevin Massoth led off with a double, took third on Ryan Adams' sacrifice bunt and came across when junior Cory Hofstetter laced Josh Harris' first pitch to left for an RBI single.
In the second, the Vikings provided some insurance for Jordan, scoring four times.
After back-to-back singles from Tyler Baert and Rod Nelson (2-for-3, double), Sean Grady moved the runners to second and third with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt.
An infield error allowed the Vikings' second run of the game to score before Adams' 2-run triple to deep left-center made it 4-0. Hofstetter (2-for-2, walk, 2 RBI) then lined another first-pitch single to left, driving in Adams to up the margin to 5-0.
"We tell guys to try and visualize your hit, whether it's going the opposite way with a pitch or pulling an inside pitch," said Hahn, whose Vikings will take on either Bartlett or Glenbard West in Saturday's 10 a.m. regional championship contest. "If it comes on the first pitch, that's OK."
While the Vikings manufactured another run in the sixth as Nelson ripped a two-out double, stole third and scored on a wild pitch, it was more than enough offensive support for Jordan.
"It was a good all-around game for us offensively and defensively, and we also ran the bases well," said Hahn. "I was impressed with the way our defense played more than anything."
Streamwood, which had knocked off South Elgin 13-3 Tuesday, was unable to muster much firepower for its freshman pitcher.
"You never want to say it but I think we used up all of our hits yesterday," said Sabres coach Steve Diversey. "We had a couple good opportunities but couldn't get that extra hit."