Wrap: Kaneland, West Aurora advance

Brian Claesson and Mike Pritchard combined for 6 hits and 5 RBI in the Kaneland baseball team's 10-5 win over Dixon in the Class 3A Dixon regional semifinal Thursday.

"Both guys are hitting the ball extremely well lately," Kaneland coach Brian Aversa said. "They are both very sound batters."

With the win, the Knights (19-11) will play for the regional title against Western Sun Conference champion Sycamore at 4 p.m. Saturday.

In the regular season, Kaneland went 1-2 against the Spartans in conference action a little over two weeks ago. The Knights ended up tied for third in the conference with Batavia behind Glenbard South.

"I have a lot of respect for them," Aversa said of the Spartans. "They did a great job this year. They don't make errors. They have very smart baseball players. They are a tough team to beat."

So was Kaneland against Dixon. Trailing 4-1, the Knights broke open the game in the sixth with 9 runs off 5 of the team's 9 hits.

"Everyone attacked the ball," Aversa said.

Cody Crook ended up earning the win in relief after the senior came in the game with 1 out in the fifth inning.

West Aurora 11, Downers Grove North 6: The situation for the No. 12 Blackhawks (18-16) did not appear promising early on. On the strength of three homers, the No. 5 seeded Trojans led 5-0 after three innings.

But in the fourth, back-to-back hits by Nate Strusz and Mike Roggeman scored three runs and the Blackhawks were back in the game. They tied the game in the fifth when Cory Walden and Kyle McCradic hit consecutive solo homers. Strusz knocked his second 2-run hit in the sixth as West Aurora scored four times in the sixth.

For the game, Jeff Etter and McCradic both had 3 hits and Strusz drove in three baserunners. On the mound, starter Will Fuentes (6-3) settled in over the final four frames, where he allowed just 2 hits and 1 run.

The Blackhawks play for the Class 4A Hinsdale Central regional title against Lincoln-Way East on Saturday.