Cary-Grove sweeps Jacobs
The 2011 season hasn’t been kind to Cary-Grove senior Kevin Weber.
Weber, who hasn’t pitched all season because of a shoulder injury, entered Saturday’s Fox Valley Conference doubleheader with Jacobs without a hit while being used as a designated hitter.
The Trojan senior made his initial appearance on the mound, but struggled. He gave up 7 runs on 13 hits in 4 innings of work.
But, with the game on the line, Weber lifted the Trojans to victory with his bat, blasting a 3-run double to left-center field to give the Trojans an exhilarating 8-7 come-from-behind win over the stunned Golden Eagles in Game 1 in Cary.
The Trojans (7-3, 4-0) made it a clean sweep with a 9-6 win in Game 2.
“It was good to get on the mound, but I was getting my pitches up,” said Weber. “It was very frustrating, but it was great to help the team. I got a fastball and got all of it.”
Cary-Grove coach Don Sutherland was happy to see Weber come up with the big hit.
“It was good to see Kevin get a big hit,” said Sutherland. “He has struggled as the DH, but he has been swinging the bat well. He struggled on the mound, but I was glad to see him get out there. He will get better as the season goes on.”
Jacobs (2-6, 1-3) seized control of the game in the first inning with 5 runs off Weber. Connor Conzelman, Henry Giegeous and Joe Ross collected RBI doubles as the Golden Eagles got off to an early lead.
The Trojans whittled away at the lead as Alex Posey cranked out a 2-run homer to right field in the second inning to make the score 5-2.
The Golden Eagles scored single runs in the third and fourth on a solo homer by Giegeous and an RBI single by Brett Kale. The Trojans scored an unearned run in the fifth to make the score 7-3.
Giegeous looked in good shape to pick up the win on the mound for the Golden Eagles. Through six innings, the Oregon-bound senior had allowed 3 runs while scattering 7 hits. He struck out seven while allowing just 1 walk.
“Being a pitcher, I understand him wanting to stay in a game,” said Jacobs coach Erik Kehoe. “Henry was getting tired, but he has a warrior’s mentality and he wanted to finish the game. Cary-Grove is a grind it out team and give them credit, they battled back.”
In Game 2, Matt Panek had 2 doubles and 4 RBI to lead the Cary-Grove offense. Posey added another 2-run homer. Matt Dunlap (2-0) picked up the win in relief.
Kenny Finn (2-for-3, 2B, RBI) and Dylan O’Toole (2-for-4, 2B) led Jacobs. Joe Ross was the losing pitcher.