Tuesday's Fox Valley roundup
Westminster Christian 16, Kirkland-Hiawatha 2: The Warriors (4-2) exploded for 5 runs in the first inning and 11 runs in the fourth inning as they easily defeated Kirkland-Hiawatha on the road in 5 innings. Brandon Weingartner (5 RBI) blasted 2 home runs and Joe McGannon (4 RBI) hit a home run, and each paced the Warriors offensively with 2-for-3 efforts at the plate. Frank Oliver also turned in a 2-for-3 performance, including a triple, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. The Warriors used four different pitchers, who combined for 8 strikeouts, 1 earned run, and 3 hits allowed. Andrew Mason (2-1) picked up the victory on the mound.
South Elgin 10, Elk Grove 5: The Storm (4-0) remained undefeated so far this season as they rallied from a 3-2 deficit heading into the bottom of the fifth to pull out the victory. Dillon Gardner and Nathan Halas (2 RBI) hit back-to-back doubles in the fifth inning to tie the game at 3 and the Storm would score 4 more runs in the inning to take the lead for good. Drew Buddle, Kyle DeRoo, and Nate Garris each recorded a double and an RBI to help lift the Storm. Sam Jordt (1-0) came in to pitch the final 3 innings, recording 1 strikeout and giving up just 3 hits to earn the victory.
Belvidere 5, Hampshire 4: The Whip-Purs held a 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but with 2 outs and runners on second and third for the Bucs, the next batter hit a soft line drive down the right field line to plate both runners and hand Hampshire a nonconference road loss. Ryan Burke turned in a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, including 1 run and 1 RBI, while Marcus Quick went 1-for-2 with a run driven in and a run scored. Hampshire starter Luke Wians scattered 8 hits over 61/3 innings and struck out 6. Burke (2-1) suffered the loss in 2/3 of an inning after giving up 1 run on 2 hits.
Centralia 4, Burlington Central 1: The big hit never came for the Rockets (5-1), who suffered their first loss of the season during their spring break trip downstate. Sophomore Tanner Scott doubled and starting pitcher Zach Ranney (1-1) took the loss after giving up 3 runs in the first inning.
"We had runners on second and third twice and four times we had a runner on third, but we just got no big hits at all," Central coach Kyle Nelson said. "We had the right hitters up but we couldn't get those runners in."