Buffalo Grove quickly ends suspense

The intense suspense of a suspended game doesn’t bother Buffalo Grove.

For the second time in two seasons the Bison had to pick up where a Mid-Suburban League baseball game that couldn’t be finished left off. This one Tuesday was at East-leading Hersey in the top of the ninth inning after their Monday game was suspended because of darkness.

BG immediately picked up 4 runs and needed the insurance as it gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth to hold on for a 10-8 victory.

“Norm (assistant coach Hillner) and I were saying we have to go this way more often,” BG coach Jeff Grybash said with a laugh as his team also beat Schaumburg in a suspended game last season. “It was an attitude win for our kids. It was exciting to see.”

Especially after Hersey (12-2, 3-1) had rallied from a 6-1 deficit with a 5-run fifth to force a tie that stayed that way until Tuesday’s restart. Jimmy Pinakidis started the BG (7-11, 2-2) ninth with a walk and was on the move when Jake Fanella lined what turned out to be a tiebreaking double into the right-center field gap.

Richie Zirngibl also had an RBI single and Mike DiViesti delivered what turned out to be a big two-out, 2-run single. Erik Stoltzner (4-for-5) drove in his fourth run of the game with a single in the ninth as BG overcame 2 errors.

Even though Jeremy Berger didn’t throw a pitch Tuesday, he earned the victory for his 3 hitless innings of relief Monday. Berger also threw a shutout last week against Elk Grove, which is part of a three-way tie for first in the MSL East with Hersey and Rolling Meadows.

“If we field the ball, which we didn’t in the last inning, we’re tough when we execute and bunt and do those things,” Grybash said.

BG’s win ended Hersey’s second six-game winning streak of the season and also ensured the extension of another one. For the 34th straight year, no team will go through MSL play undefeated since Barrington accomplished the feat in 1978.

Stevenson 6, Prospect 2: A 4-run top of the sixth by Stevenson (10-5) erased a 2-1 deficit in the nonconference game at Larry Pohlman Field. Nico Witanen and A.J. Compton doubled as Prospect (5-11) had 4 hits.

Glenbard South 5, Rolling Meadows 2: A 3-run bottom of the sixth sent Rolling Meadows (11-6) to its third straight loss in the nonconference game.