Palatine winning streak hits 10

There has been a simple reason Palatine has become the hottest team in Mid-Suburban League baseball.

Pitching.

That continued Saturday as junior Phil Brand was the winner and the Pirates (14-12) extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 4-2 nonconference victory over visiting Lincoln-Way Central.

The win was Brand's third in Saturday nonconference games during a streak where the Pirates have allowed only 29 runs.

They have also recovered from an 0-4 start in Mid-Suburban League games to play themselves right into the West division title hunt at 7-4. They'll visit Fremd, which shares the West lead with Conant at 8-3, at 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Maine West 5, Waukegan 1: Steve Zimmerman homered and Nate Andersen got the victory for Maine West (17-6, 7-4) in the Central Suburban League crossover victory.

Hersey, Hononegah split: Steve Danielak got the 5-3 victory in Game 1 for Hersey (14-13) but Rockton Hononegah rebounded 6-2 for the split. Jake Knauss doubled in the opener and was 2-for-3 in the second game for Hersey.

Leyden, Downers South split: Leyden (14-9, 9-4) gained a West Suburban Gold split as Ricky Zapata (5-1) threw a complete-game 5-hitter in a 4-1 win in Game 2. Mike Otte was 3-for-3 and Adam Locassio went 2-for-3.

Leyden had only 3 hits in a 3-1 loss in Game 1.

Stevenson 4, Fremd 3: Stevenson scored twice in the top of the seventh for the victory. Eric Paulson went 2-for-3 for Fremd (14-8).

Joliet Catholic sweeps St. Viator: East Suburban Catholic Conference leader Joliet Catholic (20-4, 12-0) allowed only 8 hits overall in 8-3 and 7-1 wins to end a 6-game winning streak for St. Viator (15-11, 5-7).

Cory Kay hit a 2-run homer and Eric Walantas homered in Game 1. Brian Byrne doubled in the only Viator run in Game 2.

Lake Zurich 11, BG 6: Dan Linden and James Hurley homered for Buffalo Grove (9-15).