Matthews' slam helps lift Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich's baseball team pounded out a season-best 16 hits and hit a Division I-bound pitcher in the process.
Logan Matthews belted a grand slam, and winning pitcher Chas Evans also homered, as Lake Zurich crushed visiting Warren 18-3 in a North Suburban Lake Divison opener on Tuesday.
Jacksonville-recruit Sean Kennedy suffered the loss.
"We swung the bats very well ... against a good pitcher," said Bears coach Gary Simon, adding that his own pitcher, Evans, pitched exceptionally well.
Evans (2-0) carried a no-hit shutout into the fifth, but got touched for a 3-run homer by Ryan Economos of the Blue Devils.
Lake Zurich (4-4-1) received 3-for-3 performances from Evans (2 RBI) and Rick Erickson. Sam Aslan had 2 doubles, while Tyler Schmitz (double), Mike Miller (double) and Matthews (6 RBI) also had 2 hits.
Round Lake 12, N. Chicago 0: Matt Baum pitched a 5-inning 2-hitter with 6 strikeouts and helped himself with an RBI double in the North Suburban Prairie Division opener.
Round Lake (2-3) got 2 hits and 2 RBI apiece from Wes Carlson and Chris Rana.
Mundelein 14, Lakes 5: Colin Franklin went 3-for-3 with a homer, 2 doubles and 5 RBI for the Mustangs in the North Suburban crossover.
Jay Mueller also homered for Mundelein (7-1). Matt Risdon went 2-for-2 with a double, and Jack Cunnion was 2-for-4.
Lakes (2-4-1) got a good game from Travis Vanderwall, who homered and doubled.
Vernon Hills 6, Wauconda 5: The host Cougars won a thriller to open North Suburban Prairie Division play, rallying for 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Matt Peterson had the game-winning hit, after falling behind 0-2.
Vernon Hills (4-4) was particularly clutch in the seventh in chasing Dayton-bound Bryce Lahrman. The Cougars got other 2-strike hits from Zack Kisley (2-for-2, double), freshman Chris Marras and Nick Mazza (3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases).
Stevenson 13, Zion-Benton 3: Matt Geissler went 3-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI, and Joe McWeeney was 2-for-3 with a double and 4 RBI, as the Patriots busted out the bats late in the North Suburban Lake Division opener.
Stevenson (7-1) also got extra-base hits from Pat Colbourn (double) and Kyle Ruchim (triple).
Ohio-bound Matt Robin picked up the win in relief, after the Patriots broke open a 3-3 game by scoring 9 runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Grayslake Central 6, Carmel 2: The host Rams rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win the nonconference game.
After taking the lead with a pair of runs in the third, Grayslake Central (6-2) tacked on 3 runs in the fifth. The big hit was a bases-loaded 2-run single by Kevin O'Rourke. Joe Schaiper added a double for the Rams, while Stefan Falbo had 2 singles.
Starting pitcher Aaron Snyder (3-0) and Matt Murphy combined on a 3-hitter.
"Tough conditions, but I thought Aaron and 'Murph' did a great job of pitching in the cold weather," Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. "O'Rourke had a big hit and our defense settled down after a shaky start."
Grant 10, Antioch 0: Ryan Thorsen struck out 14 batters and allowed only 2 hits in a six-inning complete game, as the host Bulldogs won the North Suburban Prairie opener.
Andy Danna had a single and 2 stolen bases for Antioch (1-4).
Libertyville 6, Lake Forest 1: Lucas Guarnaccio homered and singled, as the Wildcats won the North Suburban Lake Division opener.
Tyler Schweigert and Adam Quinn also had 2 hits apiece for Libertyville (6-3), while Eastern Illinois-bound Troy Barton picked up the win.