Gannon, St. Viator respond

St. Viator and Kevin Gannon showed what matters is how one responds to hitting bottom.

The Lions were disappointed with the approach to their loss at Elmwood Park on Wednesday.

Gannon, a junior second baseman, wasn't thrilled to be dropped from fifth to ninth in the batting order for Thursday's cross-town nonconference baseball clash at Hersey.

But Gannon's 3 hits started rallies that led to 8 runs as Viator (5-4) bounced back with a 10-5 victory.

"It got to me a little bit when I saw it (the lineup)," said Gannon, who doubled and scored 3 runs. "I was a little surprised but I deserved it. I found a new approach and relaxed more and played my game."

Everyone from Viator played the way coach Mike Manno wanted after a 5-2 loss at Elmwood Park. Leadoff man Brett Kay had 3 hits and a spectacular day at shortstop that included two double plays.

Winning pitcher Julian Sipiora (1-1) had 6 strikeouts in 42/3 innings and was 3-for-4. Cory Kay had 2 hits and 2 RBI, Phil Bar drove in 2 runs and Jake Mastrangeli and Eric Walantas had first-inning RBI singles as Viator led 5-0 after 11/2 innings.

"We came out here and do what we do best and grinded it out," Gannon said.

"We said (Wednesday) we're not bigger than the game and I want us to play that way," Manno said. "I felt we did that today. We had some enthusiasm on the bench and we need to have that."

Hersey (4-5) tried to chip away as Alex Lee had a 2-run single in the second and Jake Knauss (3-for-4) had a bad-hop RBI single in the fifth to cut the deficit to 7-4.

Junior righty Anthony Quagliano came in with runners at first and third. He got an inning-ending popout and went 21/3 innings for the save.

"Any momenutm we might have had, we lost it quick," Hersey coach Bob Huber said of 2 first-inning walks scoring. "I thought pitching was our strength but right now it's really been disappointing."

Elk Grove 5, Lake Park 1: Kyle Pfister (3-1) took a shutout into the sixth inning and Joey DeHuelbes hit a 2-run homer for Elk Grove (9-2) in the nonconference win. Pfister had 9 strikeouts and 1 walk in 6-plus innings.

Pfister left after the first two Lake Park hitters reached the seventh and Donny Duschinsky got the save. Duschinsky and DeHuelbes had 2 hits apiece.

Barrington 4, Cary-Grove 3: Barrington (5-2) trailed for 51/2 innings but scratched out 3 runs on 1 hit in the sixth for its third straight 1-run victory.

Derek Foderaro had an RBI single in the winning rally. A bases-loaded walk tied it and Anthony Gentile followed with a sacrifice fly.

Tom Unak (2-0) had 6 strikeouts and 1 walk in 6 innings and Tim Oakley got his second save.

Maine West 14, Prospect 2: Ryan Tuntland had 3 hits and 3 RBI and Paul Solka had 3 hits as Maine West (8-2) continued its offensive roll by winning its fourth straight game with double-digit runs.

Lucas Udischas, Justin Johann, Tommy Ross and Alex Kopf had 2 hits for the Warriors. Junior John Perez (3-1) didn't allow a run in the last 4 of his 6 innings and had 4 strikeouts and 3 walks.

Jason Leblebijian had 2 hits for Prospect (3-6).

Prairie Ridge 4, Conant 1: Prairie Ridge senior ace Joe Zwierzynski (3-2) threw a 2-hitter and outdueled Conant (6-4) senior Walt Wijas (2-1) in Crystal Lake.

Wijas allowed 1 earned run and 4 hits with 6 strikeouts and 1 walk. Zwierzynski didn't allow an earned run and had 5 strikeouts and no walks.

Leyden 13, Proviso W. 0: Sean Burke threw a complete-game 4-hitter with 6 strikeouts and 1 walk as Leyden (4-3) won in 5 innings to sweep the 3-game West Suburban Conference crossover series.

Ricky Zapata (2 RBI), Eric Palmer (2 RBI) and Mike Otte had 2 hits each for the Eagles.

Glenbard North 3, Meadows 2: Dan Lynch was 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and Teddy Metzger went 2-for-3 but Meadows (2-5) lost on an error in the eighth inning.

Glenbrook North 8, BG 6: James Hurley (2 RBI) and Matt Stadler went 2-for-4 but Buffalo Grove (3-3) committed 8 errors in the nonconference loss. Dan Recht allowed 1 unearned run with 4 strikeouts in 3 innings of relief.

Carmel 7, Palatine 4: Andy Prombo, Tom Galvan and Joe Campe went 2-for-3 for Palatine (3-6) in the nonconference loss to Carmel (10-2).