Gargantuan day for Gargano, Grayslake Central
Angelo Gargano has been an RBI machine for Grayslake Central's baseball team all season.
He kept producing Saturday, and so did his teammates.
In the battle of Grayslake at Wauconda, second-seeded Grayslake Central rallied from an early 7-5 deficit to defeat No. 4 Grayslake North 17-7 in five innings to capture a Class 3A regional championship.
The regional title was the second in four years for Grayslake Central (23-14), which next plays Vernon Hills at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in semifinal action of the Lakes sectional.
Wednesday's semifinal at Lakes will feature Glenbard South against Johnsburg.
"I am very proud of our kids," Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. "We've battled through a lot of ups and downs this year, but they've persevered."
Against its crosstown rival, Grayslake Central pounded out a season-high 18 hits, with Gargano leading the way with four. The junior clubbed a 3-run homer, hit 2 doubles and drove in 5 runs. He has 48 RBI on the season.
Also in the hit parade for the Rams were Kurt Schmidt with a home run and 2 singles; Mike Gentile and Sean Seiler with 3 hits, including a double, each; Kevin DeRue with a double and single; and Kevin O'Rourke with a triple.
Matt Murphy picked up his third win in relief of O'Rourke. Murphy tossed 3 1/3 innings with 4 strikeouts.
Grayslake North (11-24) got doubles from Vinnie Licciardello and Ryan Gutierrez, while Kevin Staszczak went 2-for-3. The Knights had ousted top-seeded Lakes in the regional semifinals.
"I knew it would be a battle with North," Whalen said. "For them to be in a regional final in just their third varsity season says just how much Andy (coach Andy Strahan) has done in building a program. Their kids play hard."
Vernon Hills 10, Guerin 0: At Elmwood Park, the Cougars won the Class 3A regional final in five innings, as Scott Kempel pitched a 5-hitter with 4 strikeouts and just 1 walk.
P.J. Marsek went 3-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI to pace Vernon Hills (21-14) offensively. Nick Mazza (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Brian Palmer (RBI, 2 runs scored) each had doubles. Zach Kisley added a single and an RBI.