Feece, VH stick Grant with the collar
Vernon Hills’ baseball team expected a dogfight against Grant in Fox Lake on Tuesday, and that is exactly what happened.
Tyler Feece was the difference in the Cougars’ 2-0 win over the Bulldogs.
For the second time in as many starts, Feece threw a complete game. He struck out seven and walked two, while giving up 3 hits, in improving to 7-1.
The sophomore lefty was supported by great defense by infielder Colin Krippinger and catcher Chris Marras. Marras was also a key offensive contributor, going 3-for-4 with the Cougars’ only RBI.
With one out in the third, MJ Crowley (2-for-4) singled for Vernon Hills. He was forced out on a bang-bang play at second on Ethan McGrew’s groundball to short. McGrew then stole second base and scored when Marras hit a line shot down the left-field line.
In the fourth, it looked the Vernon Hills was going to extend the lead. Feece led off with a single. Steve Nelson and Pat Crowley drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with no outs. However, Grant pitcher Jared Helmich rose to the occasion, striking out the next two batters and then getting a groundout.
The Cougars added to their lead in the seventh. Brett Peterson reached on an infield hit and stole second. Crowley then reached on a bunt. On the play, Helmich’s throw tipped of the first baseman’s mitt, allowing Peterson to score and Crowley to move to second.
Once again, it looked like Vernon Hills was going to start a rally. But Helmich got the next hitter to offer at a high fastball, which was bunted in the air. Helmich helped himself out of the jam as he caught the bunt and doubled off Crowley at second.
Grant’s best scoring opportunity came in the fifth when Tyler Gorski singled. Pinch runner Matt Parat was sacrificed to second by Jacob Adams. Feece struck out the next batter to face the Bulldogs’ ninth hitter. Ryan Noda delivered with a single and Parat moved into third base.
But with runners at first and third and a 1-1 count, Grant’s leadoff hitter grounded out to Feece to end the threat.
Stevenson 6, Lake Forest 1: Jon Savarise earned the complete-game win in the North Suburban Lake game, striking out nine, walking one and surrendering just 5 hits in Lincolnshire.
Stevenson (14-8, 4-3) was led offensively by Zach Novoselsky (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBI) and Steve Galanopoulos (2-for-3, 2 runs).
Grayslake North 9, Woodstock 4: Drake Davis homered, while JP Zalewski and Nick Carmody both had a pair of hits for the visiting Knights in the Fox Valley Fox Division game.
Grayslake North (11-12, 5-6) got doubles from Zalewski, Adam Gomski and CJ Bailey. Zalewski and Davis each had 2 RBI. Carl Russell (1-for-3) and Matt Eney (1-for-4) each had 2 stolen bases. Gomski pitched 51⁄3 innings in earning the win.
Antioch 11, Round Lake 1: Joe Gregory (RBI) and Emery Paramski (2 RBI) each had 3 hits, including a double, as the host Sequoits won the North Suburban Prairie contest in five innings.
Adam Harvey added a pair of singles and 2 RBI for Antioch (12-7, 4-2) and Dave Rzewnicki contributed a single and two knocked in.
Dan Arden (4-3) pitched all 5 innings for Antioch.
Warren 6, Zion-Benton 5: Anthony Garza and Justin Cob each went 2-for-4 for the visiting Blue Devils, who built a 4-0 lead and then hung on in North Suburban Lake action.
Cobe (RBI), Adam Glogovsky and winning pitcher Adam Reuss (4-3) each doubled for Warren (12-11).
Grayslake Central 6, Crystal Lake Central 5: The 12th win in a row was not easy for the host Rams, as the Tigers scored twice in the seventh to tie the Fox Valley Fox Division game at 5-5.
But in the bottom of the inning, Ryan Fontana drove in Ryan Hamrick, who singled leading off.
Kristian Meehan had a big day at the plate for Grayslake Central (18-5) with a home run, double and 3 RBI.
Mark Ash had a tough no-decision, as the senior righty tossed 62⁄3 innings, allowing 3 earned runs. He struck out four and walked one. Christian Edwards picked up his third win.
“Great job by our guys answering in the bottom of the seventh,” Rams coach Troy Whalen said. “Mark battled on the mound, and we gave him just enough run support. Our guys are resilient, and they keep finding a way.”
Grayslake Central 14, Round Lake 2: Jon Gurchak had a day to remember Monday, as the senior left fielder blasted a pair of home runs, a grand slam and 3 run shot, along with a double and single, which accounted for 10 RBI in the nonconference game.
The Rams’ 11th straight win improved their record to 17-5.
Ryan Hamrick and sophomore Freddie Landers each had a pair of hits for Grayslake Central. Will Weinert and Mike Wiggins shared mound duties for the Rams, with Weinert picking up his first career varsity win.