Mara's big blast boosts Wheeling past BG, 20-17

In a real slugfest, Wheeling's Brendon Mara blasted a 3-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Wildcats a 20-17 victory over Buffalo Grove in the MSL East.

The Bison, who had 14 hits, had tied the game 17-17 with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh.

Wheeling, which collected 16 hits, was led by Matt Holms - who was 4-for-5 with 4 RBI. Bobby Beelan (3-for-5) also drove in 4 runs. Mara was 3-for-5 with 3 RBI. His dramatic walk-off homer drove in Brendon Prezneak and Neal Christensen, who both walked.

Buffalo Grove's James Hurley (4-for-5) drove in 6 runs.

Barrington 5, Palatine 0: Jack Scheffler led off with a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, and host Barrington went on to beat Palatine 5-0 in the Mid-Suburban League West Division.

Robby McDonnell of the Broncos went the distance to earn the win, allowing 2 hits with 8 strikeouts and 4 walks. He did not allow a Palatine runner to reach third.

The Broncos' Rickey Alfonso and Stephen Weisshappel each went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

N.D. 11, R. Meadows 1: Owen Stiff had the only RBI for the host Mustangs (16-13) in the nonconference game against Notre Dame. A.J. Fedoruk got the win over Dan Hoppel (1-1).