Larkin, Newquist shut out Elgin

Larkin junior Kyle Newquist made streak busting look easy in a 9-0 victory over Elgin at Trout Park Wednesday night.

The junior went 3-for-4 at the plate with a grand slam and 6 RBI, and he pitched a complete-game 3-hitter in which he struck out 12 Maroons to even the 3-game crosstown series at a game apiece.

“This is huge,” Newquist said. “We’ve had a rough couple of weeks, and to come out here and beat them 9-0 going into regionals next week is a big step.”

The 6-foot-2 right-hander allowed back-to-back hits in the second inning to Joe Quick and Ryan Walker, then struck out the next three hitters to retire the side. In fact, Newquist (2-5) retired 17 of the final 19 hitters he faced and he did so without getting tricky.

“I pretty much stuck with the fastball” he said. “The curve was a little off and so was the changeup. They weren’t keeping up with the fastball. If they’re not hitting it, I’ll keep throwing it.”

Larkin (10-21, 4-18 Upstate Eight River) seemed intent on ending its losing streak via aggressive play. The Royals scored twice in the first inning when Trevor Whitehead (2-for-3, double, walk, 2 runs) drew a free pass from Elgin starting pitcher D.J. Riggio (0-5) and stole second and third. Niko Morado also walked and stole a base in the inning. Both runners eventually scored to give Larkin a 2-0 lead.

“Coach wanted us to be more aggressive at the plate, come with a better approach, be more aggressive on the basepaths without getting tossed out or anything,” Whitehead said.

The Royals broke things open with a 5-run second. Jack Eckholm had already walked and scored on Whitehead’s double when the real fireworks started. With Whitehead, Morado and Victor Saldana on base, Newquist drilled a 2-1 fastball for a line-drive home run over the wall in left center, which staked Larkin to a 7-0 lead.

Pitching from behind in the count was a familiar scenario for Elgin (3-26-1, 3-19-1).

“When you fall behind and can only throw a fastball for a strike, it makes it that much easier to hit,” Elgin coach David Foerster said. “They did a good job of putting the ball in play and hitting the ball hard.

“We still have a chance to win the series, no doubt. I don’t think it was an effort thing or that we were flat or anything. It was just one of those days. We have to regroup and come back (today). We’ll give a good effort. I promise you that.”

The series is on the line in tonight’s conclusion at Trout Park. First pitch, 7 p.m.