St. Charles North blanks Larkin
The last time the St. Charles North baseball team came to Elgin to face Larkin it was no hit, or one hit depending on which team’s book you look at.
The North Stars quickly made sure that wouldn’t happen again Monday. North’s No. 2 hitter, Andrew Elliott singled and cleanup hitter John Brodner made sure they wouldn’t be shut out with a run-scoring double.
STC North would score three times in the top of the first and cruised to an 8-0 Upstate Eight River Division victory over the Royals, rebounding from a doubleheader sweep by Streamwood on Saturday.
“I was curious to see how we showed up today,” North coach Todd Genke said. “I was hoping for the best. The kids took it upon themselves to get out early.”
Brodner’s double off the right-field wall scored Elliott. Jake Johansmeier, who went 2-for-3, followed Brodner with a 2-run home run to left field that hit off Nate Woodruff’s glove and went over the fence for a 3-0 lead.
“It’s comforting to come out and get a couple of runs right off the bat and put the pressure on them,” said Brodner, who went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI.
The North Stars (18-8, 12-5) added five more runs in the third. John Munyon led off with a single and scored on Brodner’s 2-run home run. Johansmeier, Dirk Schmitt and Max Pedre had consecutive singles. Pedre’s single drove in Johansmeier. After a popout, Derek Backer had a 2-run single to increase the North Stars’ lead to 8-0.
Justin Wightman (2-0) earned the victory. The senior right-hander went 5 innings, allowing 3 hits and no runs. He struck out seven and walked five.
“He’s probably got some of the best stuff on our staff,” Genke said. “I’m proud of him. It’s been a challenge for him. He’s really worked hard and today he got rewarded with a very good outing.”
Larkin (9-16, 3-14) managed only 4 hits and 1 extra base hit, a seventh-inning double from Pete Lennard. The Royals’ best scoring chance came in the third when they had runners on first and third with two outs, but Miguel Villafane struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch.
Drew Shore (1-5) suffered the loss. He gave up 11 hits and 8 runs, all earned, in 4 innings.
“(The North Stars) came out swinging the bat,” Larkin coach Matt Esterino said. “The last week we’ve been seeing really good competition and when we spot them a crooked number early it’s hard to come back.”