Friday's Fox Valley roundup
Burlington Central 12, Hampshire 1: The Rockets (28-1, 10-0) fell behind early 1-0, but the Whip-Purs' errors took over and Burlington Central cruised to an easy victory in Big Northern East action Friday. The win was Central's 23rd straight. Nolan Anderson turned in a stellar performance at the plate for the Rockets as he went 3-for-4 with a double, 2 home runs, and 7 RBI. Ryan Burke posted a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate with 3 singles for the Whip-Purs. Sam Klein (8-0) remained undefeated as he pitched all 6 innings, scattering 9 hits, allowing 1 run, and striking out five. Luke Wians (4-2) held the Rockets hitless through 3 innings, but eventually suffered the loss.
Montini 6, Westminster Christian 4: The Warriors fell behind early and could not mount a large enough comeback as they fell to Montini in this nonconference matchup. Kevin Elder paced the Warriors as he went 2-for-2 on the day with 2 runs scored, a home run, and 3 RBI while Ben Stevenson (RBI) turned in a 3-for-3 performance. Elder suffered the loss on the mound as he went 6 innings, allowing 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out six, which now gives him 104 strikeouts on the year.
St. Charles East 6, South Elgin 5: The Storm (18-8, 13-7) led 5-3 heading into the seventh inning but were unable to close to door as they fell to the Saints in Upstate Eight Conference action on the road. Nate Garris was the only Storm player with 2 hits and he also added 2 RBI on the night. Sam Jordt suffered the tough luck loss as he went 62/3, scattered 6 hits and struck out three.
St. Charles North 15, Elgin 2: The Maroons (4-22, 3-17) were quickly defeated Friday night as they fell to the North Stars in five innings on the road in this Upstate Eight Conference matchup. Zach Frerichs led the Maroons with a double and drove in their only 2 runs of the game. Alex Doty (2-5) suffered the loss.
Streamwood 5, Lake Park 4: The Sabres (18-11, 12-8) battled each inning with the Lancers and eventually came out with an Upstate Eight Conference victory on the road. Blake Hunter (7-1) turned in a solid pitching performance to pick up the victory on the mound as he scattered 7 hits, walked four, and struck out six in 6 innings of work while Josh Harris came in to pitch the seventh and pick up his first career save. Nate Pearson (3-for-4, 3B), Dylan Noncek (2-for-4, RBI), and Mike Diebold (3B) paced the Sabres offensively.
Jacobs 7, Cary-Grove 4: The Golden Eagles pounded out 12 hits en route to a Fox Valley (Valley Division) victory over the Trojans at home. Anthony Virgilio (3 RBI) and Ben Albano each hit a home run to pace the Golden Eagles while Greg Leasure went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Michael Vilardo (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Eric Chandler (2-for-4, 2 doubles) led the Trojans offensively. Tim Roth (1-0) picked up his first victory of the year as he threw 52/3 innings with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Crystal Lake South 9, Dundee-Crown 4: Billy Wright and Chris Hauser each hit 2-run home runs in the bottom of the third inning to give the Gators (18-10, 12-6) the lead for good as they defeated the Chargers (10-18, 7-11) at home in this Fox Valley (Valley Division) matchup. Alex Macaulay also contributed offensively for the Gators as he went 3-for-3 with an RBI and 3 runs scored. Nick Spagnola and Scott Nowicke each hit home runs for the Chargers Nick Martin (3-1) earned the victory. Scott Nowicke (0-3) suffered the loss.
McHenry 7, Huntley 2: The Red Raiders (20-7, 13-5) fell behind McHenry in the Fox Valley (Valley Division) race as they dropped this home game. Zach Staab recorded an RBI for the Red Raiders while Andre Sopena tallied a double for their only extra base hit of the game. Matt Morin (3-3) took the loss.
Larkin 6, East Aurora 2: The Royals (8-18, 7-11) completed their sweep of Upstate Eight Conference opponent East Aurora as they recorded 13 hits on the night. Drew Shore (1-5) earned his first career victory on the mound as he threw a complete game, allowing 5 hits, no walks and no earned runs while striking out three. Shore also helped his cause at the plate by turning in a 3-for-4 performance with an RBI double while Trevor Whitehead (2B, 3B, RBI) and Reid Ellis each recorded 2 hits for the Royals.
College baseballJudson one win away from NCCAA National Tournament: The Eagles (38-21) picked up a 5-2 victory over Trinity International University in their first game of the NCCAA Regional Tournament, and then turned around to defeat Olivet Nazarene 3-2 in their second game of the day. Zach Williams, Angel Cisneros, and Levi Pippenger each recorded 2 hits in Game 1 for the Eagles while Zach Liebman (6-1) earned the victory on the mound. In Game 2, Joe Huencke earned his first victory of the year while Ed Draper closed out the game for his 10th save. Johnny Amann led the Eagles offensively as he tallied 2 hits while Brian Bauer added an RBI. The Eagles face Olivet Nazarene again today at 12:30 p.m.ECC goes 1-1 at Region IV Sectionals: The Spartans (32-18) defeated College of Lake County in Game 1 of the Region IV Sectionals 14-6 before falling to Prairie State 20-4 in Game 2. Anthony Campanella picked up the win in Game 1 as he threw a complete-game, allowing 8 hits while striking out nine. Ryan Lesner (HR) and Dan Scahill (3B) led the Spartans offensively. In Game 2, Luke Geier suffered the loss as he went 5 innings, allowed 5 earned runs, 6 hits, and 2 walks while striking out six. Scahill hit his second home run of the day to lead the Spartans and Matt Revelle added a double. The Spartans must win twice today to stay alive in the tournament.