Fremd breaks loose with 9-run inning
When the other team doesn't score, you'll win whatever game you are playing.
Fremd was able to accomplish just that Tuesday against host Buffalo Grove, earning an 11-0 Mid-Suburban League crossover victory in six innings.
Fremd sophomore starter Joe Leaf allowed 3 hits and struck out six in a complete game. Leaf received some stellar fielding behind him, with infielders Todd Dunham, Joey DePaolis and Eric Paulson all turning in a great play or two.
"It's good to know, having my defense behind me making some great plays," Leaf said.
After a somewhat shaky first 2 innings, Leaf faced just one batter over the minimum 12 in the final four.
"The first couple of innings he was in trouble a little bit and he worked himself out of a couple jams," said Fremd coach Chris Piggott. "That's probably the best I've seen his curveball. He had a sharp break. He was throwing it for a strike consistently and he was ahead of hitters. I thought he did a nice job."
The first three innings were scoreless thanks to Leaf and BG sophomore starter Dan Recht, as the two teams combined for just 4 hits.
In the top of the fourth, five straight Fremd hitters reached base and 3 runs scored.
With two outs, senior Chris Doloughty had 2 strikes before delivering a single to center field that drove home 2 more runs and broke the game open. The Vikings finished with 9 runs in the inning.
"I didn't lose confidence at any point," Doloughty said of his key at-bat. "Earlier in the season, when I had two strikes on me, I didn't have that much confidence. At this point, I knew I was going to get it done. I was able to get it through and the rest was all those guys running out there."
Leaf said it was a little tough taking a long break between innings because of how many batters Fremd (13-6, 7-2) sent to the plate - but he was grateful for the runs.
"It feels good having the 9-run lead, knowing you can have that break and have the nice run support behind you," Leaf said.
Coach Jeff Grybash of BG (9-12, 4-5) said Doloughty's hit changed the course of the game.
"That was huge," Grybash said. "When I came out (to visit the mound) I said, 'If we can keep it at three, we'll be all right.' That kid (Doloughty) had a huge at-bat, and he beat us right there. Credit to them. We didn't give them the game. They won the game."
Conant 5, Wheeling 2: Conant's offense was doubly special as the visiting Cougars' 11 hits included 6 doubles in an MSL crossover win. Nolan Drake, Jeff Vereillo Derek Wojcik (2 RBI), Craig Davis, Nate Raha (2 RBI) and Aaron Wright (2 RBI) each had a double for the winners. John DiMatteo earned the win.
Leyden 19, Proviso East 3 (5): Three days after recording his 400th career victory, Leyden coach Gary Wolf - in his 21st season - watched his Eagles belt 13 hits to improve to 13-7 and 8-3 in the West Suburban Gold.
Jeremy Stawychny (2-for-3), Danny Hartney (2-for-3), Eric Palmer (2-for-3) and Rudy Perez (3-for-3) led the Leyden offense.