Raiders power past Spartans
Glenbard South hit 5 home runs to earn a 12-2 victory over St. Francis in five innings Wednesday in the Class 3A Wheaton Academy regional semifinals.
Joe Ramirez homered twice, including the shot that capped a 7-run fifth and ended the game. Trace Wanless, Sterling Smith and Matt Behnke each added a home run for the Raiders (19-16).
"We got a chance to get a look at their pitcher on Saturday and he had a pretty good off-speed pitch, so we basically told our kids to sit on one pitch or the other," Raiders coach Mike Riley said. "Sit on one or the other and stick with that plan. That was the reason for some of the long balls that went out of there. A couple of the kids stayed back on some of the pitches. The ball was carrying pretty good today, it got out of here pretty fast. Got a couple of dents on the school (just beyond the left-field fence) today."
David Suffern (5-4) earned the victory.
"We're just trying to keep our kids focused and understand it's just one game," Riley said. "All that offense, when you start Saturday ... that and a dollar and a quarter will get you a can of pop. We've got to be ready for possibly a different type of game."
The Raiders will play again at 11 a.m. Saturday against the winner of today's game between Wheaton Academy and Crystal Lake Central.
- Orrin Schwarz
Wheaton North 8, Addison Trail 1: The top-seeded Falcons (26-5) jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings in their Class 4A St. Charles East regional semifinal victory. Trey Martin blasted his 10th homer of the year while Jack DeAno and Sean Ford each had 2 hits. Aric Dama improved to 8-1 with the complete-game effort. Wheaton North will play today's winner between Marmion and Bartlett in Saturday's regional final.
Montini 13, Amundsen 2: The fourth-seeded Broncos (16-10) followed a 7-run second inning with a 6-run fourth in their five-inning win in the Class 3A St. Joseph regional semifinals. Kevin Hankins went 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI while Jeff Spokas had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Winning pitcher Colin Meister (4-2) allowed 4 hits while striking out five and walking none. Montini will play today's winner between St. Joseph and Senn in Saturday's regional title game.