Huntley explodes for 21-1 win over Larkin

The warmer weather usually equates to better offensive numbers.

Huntley certainly adhered to that philosophy in Thursday's Class 4A Jacobs regional baseball semifinal contest against Larkin.

Scoring 21 runs on 16 hits, the top-seeded Red Raiders cruised past fourth-seeded Larkin 21-1 in a game which lasted 5 innings.

Huntley (25-9) will play for the regional championship Saturday at 9 a.m. The opponent will be the winner of today's game between Crystal Lake South and Jacobs.

"We swung the bats better in the third and fourth innings," said Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski. "We were hitting the ball where it was pitched. We need to polish up some things if we are going to be a championship team. "

Huntley struck first with an unearned run in the first inning. Larkin (10-24) tied the game in the second on an RBI single by Alex Wahl.

The Red Raiders started distancing themselves from the Royals with 5 runs in the second. The key hit was a 2-run homer by Zack Staab.

"I was able to pick up the pitch as a curve and I timed it good," said Staab. "I stayed inside the pitch and got all of it. We broke out of our shell offensively."

In the second, Chris Klein contributed an RBI double and Phil Pupillo had a run-scoring single as the Red Raiders led 6-1 after two innings.

Huntley ensured there wouldn't be a Larkin comeback with a 15-run outburst in the fourth.

Tom Grohan, Klein, Pupillo and Collin Leinen collected 2-run singles in the inning.

Klein, pitching 4 innings, picked up the win. The senior hurler allowed 1 run on 5 hits with 3 strikeouts and 3 walks.

"Chris gutted this one out," said Jakubowski. "He didn't have his best stuff. But he gave us an effort we expect from a senior varsity player."

Matt Morin pitched the fifth for the Red Raiders, blanking the Royals on one single. He struck out two without allowing a walk.

Pupillo, Klein, Staab, Leinen and Matt Sykes added 2 hits each for the Red Raiders.

Scott Harm ended his career for Larkin with a 3-for-3 effort that included a double.

"Huntley really swung the bats well," said Larkin coach Matt Esterino. "We made some mistakes and they pounced on them. We kicked the ball around some and missed some chances to turn the double plays. I am proud of these kids, especially the nine seniors. I coached the seniors as freshman and worked with them for four years. We grew together."