Miller, Grayslake Central closing in on Fox title

Host Grayslake Central's baseball team put together a great performance on senior day Tuesday afternoon against crosstown rival Grayslake North.

But it was a junior that really shined for the Rams in their 11-1 Fox Valley Conference victory over the Knights in 5 innings.

Junior shortstop Austin Miller was 3-for-3 with a triple, a double, and 4 RBI to help lead Grayslake Central's 11-hit attack.

The Rams improved to 25-7 overall and 18-5 in the FVC's Fox Division and they can clinch at least a tie for the division crown if they can defeat Grayslake North (8-23, 7-13) again on Thursday.

The Knights jumped on winning pitcher Nick Richter for a run on 2 hits in the top of the first inning as designated-hitter Steve Owen's RBI double down the left-field line drove in teammate Kevin Staszczak for an early 1-0 lead.

But the Rams dominated play the rest of the way as they batted around in the bottom of the first against Grayslake North starter Matt Robinson.

Mike Gentile's RBI single drove in lead-off hitter Josh DeAngelis (2-for-3) with the first run before Andrew Hosford's 2-run, two-out double drove in Gentile (3-for-3) and Joe Schaiper (2-for-3) for a 3-0 lead.

Then, after an infield error, Miller's 2-run double made the score 5-1 after one inning.

Grayslake Central placed third in the state last year in Class 3A.

"I saw the ball really well today and everybody hit the ball really well," said Miller. "I think we have the talent to go as far as we did last year, we just have to step up in big game situations."

Designated-hitter Matt Murphy walked with two outs in the bottom of the third and he eventually scored on an error for a 6-1 advantage.

"Grayslake Central is a really good team and when you give a team extra outs they're going to make you pay for it," said Grayslake North coach Andy Strahan. "Miller really did a nice job at the plate and DeAngelis did a nice job setting the table for them two innings in a row."

The Rams put the game out of reach by batting around again in the bottom of the fourth as Kyle Fosco replaced Robinson with one out and the bases loaded.

Angelo Gargano got hit by a pitch for an RBI before Hosford drew a bases loaded walk to make the score 8-1. Then a fielder's choice RBI by pinch-hitter Kevin DeRue and a 2-run double to left-center by Miller closed out the big 5-run rally to put the finishing touches on the victory.

"After we gave up a run early it was nice how the kids responded and they've been swinging the bats well the last couple of weeks," said Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen. "We're playing good baseball, I like our make-up one through nine, and this is the time you want to be playing your best baseball."