Lake County roundup
Sean Eder couldn’t have been better.
The Lake Zurich senior hit a pair of 2-run homers and also made a diving catch in right-center field to squelch a Grant rally, as the host Bears pulled out an 8-4 win in a North Suburban Conference crossover Thursday.
Joey Pizzolato doubled, singled and drove in a pair of runs for Lake Zurich (15-9), and Collin Roto also had 2 hits for the Bears. John Orlando added a triple, while James DeGeorge and Jake Guilianelli contributed doubles. Austin Foote (5-1) pitched 5 innings for the win.
Jordan Villarreal had a home run, single and 2 RBI for Grant (14-9).
Grayslake Central 10, Crystal Lake Central 6: Down 3-1 heading into the top of the sixth, the Rams scored 9 runs on 9 hits and went on to claim their 14th straight win to clinch at least a share of the Fox Valley Fox Division championship.
Jon Gurchak’s 3-run double highlighted the 9-run sixth for Grayslake Central (20-5, 13-1). Gurchak also homered and singled. Matt Loeffl and Freddie Landers had key back-to-back hits in the sixth. Ryan Fontana added 3 singles, Loeffl had a pair of hits and Kristian Meehan contributed a double.
Nick Hosford (3 innings pitched), Christian Edwards (2 IP) and Mike Wiggins (2 IP) shared the mound duties, with Edwards picking up his second win of the week.
“The kids just keep finding ways to win,” Rams coach Troy Whalen said. “Really no other way to explain it.”
Grayslake North 5, Woodstock 3: The Knights climbed above the .500 mark with the Fox Valley Fox Division win.
Carl Russell stole 4 bases, and Nick Carmody and JP Zalewski each had 2 hits for Grayslake North (13-12, 7-6). Tom Elias allowed 3 runs (1 earned) over 6 innings, striking out seven in earning the win. Andrew Cantor pitched a scoreless seventh for the save.
Libertyville 7, Elk Grove 2: Anthony Mack was 3-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI for the host Wildcats in the nonconference game.
Libertyville (16-8) also got 2 hits and an RBI from Darwin Townsend and a double from Nick Coutre.
Libertyville used Kevin McQuillen (2 innings pitched), Nick Carlucci (1 IP), Dereck Ioos (2 IP), Alex Gough (1 IP) and Nate Cote (1 IP) on the mound.
Riverside-Brookfield 7, Antioch 5: Aaron Karpiel had 2 hits and 2 RBI, and Adam Harvey tripled and knocked in 3 runs for the host Sequoits in the nonconference game.
Joe Gregory started on the mound and pitched 3 innings, allowing 3 runs but striking out five for Antioch (13-8).
Stevenson 8, Clemente 3: Max Golembo was 3-for-3, and the Patriots received 2-for-4 efforts from Adam Walton, Jack Karras (double) and Jon Savarise (double).
Stevenson (16-8) also got a quality start from Scott Irving, who threw 6 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) while striking out four and walking one.
Round Lake 11, Alden-Hebron 1: Ryan Newman went 3-for-4 for the Panthers in the nonconference game.
Juan Abascal (2 doubles, 3 RBI), Tyler Conrad (double, RBI) and Randy Eanos (triple, RBI) led the way offensively for Round Lake.
Anthony Gutierrez pitched 5 innings, yielding 1 run (unearned), striking out sox and walking three.