Libertyville DPs are a Schurr thing

Unlike some of those baseball practices inside during the off-season, shortstop Tyler Schweigert and second baseman A.J. Schurr didn't have to tinker with any glove flips, behind-the-back tosses or full-out dives.

Libertyville's double-play duo simply executed flawless defense, something that has become the norm.

The Wildcats opened their season with an 8-1 win over host Hoffman Estates on Friday, shining both at the plate and in the field. While the offense produced 10 hits, including a home run by Schweigert, the defense didn't commit an error and turned three double plays in the first three innings to help starting pitcher Joey Eichmann overcome some early control problems.

Third baseman Mike Whartnaby started a 5-4-3 DP in the bottom of the first. Schweigert and Schurr turned an inning-ending double play in the second, and with one out and one on in the third, Schurr speared a line drive and doubled off the runner at first.

"Tyler and A.J. are going to turn a lot of double plays this year," Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said. "They turned a lot last year. It's fun to watch when there's a groundball. The kids expect a double play. We've gotten that good at it."

With a year under the belts playing together, Schweigert and A.J. Schurr could be even better this spring.

"Some of it's chemistry and some of it's working at it," A.J. Schurr said. "I remember days we had practice in the field house and we would stay after. We wouldn't even do regular double plays. It would be trick double plays. We'd see how fun we could get with it - dives, behind the back. Stuff like that."

"We'd kind of mess around," Schweigert said. "We'd do abnormal plays."

Eichmann threw 83 pitches over 42/3 innings, walking four and hitting a batter in the first two innings. He left after allowing an RBI double to Erik Smoy and walking Trent Rehusch for the second time.

"The double plays to end the innings were great for Joey," said Schweigert, who had 4 assists and a putout. "We definitely bailed him out and he definitely bailed himself out with groundballs."

Trailing 6-1 after Eichmann exited in the fifth, Hoffman Estates (0-1) loaded the bases but stranded them.

"I was very disappointed with the way we hit with runners in scoring position," Hawks coach Todd Meador said. "We had that pitcher (Eichmann) on the ropes those first 2-3 innings and just failed to get that big hit. That would have changed the game greatly."

Eichmann earned the win, allowing just 3 hits. He was 8-0 last year when he was the Wildcats' No. 3 pitcher behind ace Troy Barton (Eastern Illinois) and Brooks McDowell (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville).

"I expect him to trust his defense and challenge," Jim Schurr said. "He's got good stuff."

Sophomore righty Dar Townsend, the son of former Warren coach Dar Townsend, relieved Eichmann and struck out three of the five batters that he faced.

Townsend figures to be the Wildcats' No. 2 pitcher behind Eichmann.

"Darwin's got a good feel for it," Jim Schurr said. "He's got some pop on his fastball, and he's got good command of his curveball and changeup, too. And he knows how to pitch. You grow up with your dad being a coach, you got a feel for the game."

Schweigert (2-for-4), Schurr (3 walks), Chad Uhler (RBI double), Nathan Clark (2-for-2, double, 2 walks) and Brandon Fowkes (pair of RBI singles) paced the offense. Brad Martin and Josh Prochotsky each had a single and an RBI. Prochotsky's second-inning single started the scoring off Hawks starter Mike Kiviranta.

"It was good to get the first (win)," Jim Schurr said. "That's for sure."