Lake County roundup
Having already clinched a share of the North Suburban Prairie title, Vernon Hills’ baseball team turned to sophomore Pat Crowley in the division finale at Lakes on Tuesday.
Once again, Crowley rose to the occasion, as the Cougars won 2-0 to win the NSC Prairie crown outright.
Vernon Hills (25-6, 11-1) will host Mundelein oat 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the conference championship game.
Crowley faced only 18 batters over 5, as he allowed 3 hits, walked one and struck out five. He was lifted in the top of the sixth after an hour-and 20-minute lightning delay. He handed the ball to brother MJ with a man on second and one out.
MJ Crowley retired the five hitters that he faced. In all, the Crowley boys combined for a complete game. They needed only 87 pitches and saw no Lakes runner reach third base.
Vernon Hills scored the two runs in the top of the second. With one out, Steven Nelson was hit by a pitch. Ethan McGrew followed with a line shot to right-center. Brett Peterson then drew a walk to load the bases.
Up stepped Pat Crowley, whose high chopper was misplayed. MJ Crowley then added to the lead as he grounded into a 4-6 forceout.
The Cougars reached third base on three other occasions but were unable to get the key hit to scratch more runs.
Lakes fell to 17-16 and finished 6-6 in the NSC Prairie.
Antioch 2, Wauconda 0: Sophomore Jerry LaSaint shut down the visiting Bulldogs on 2 hits in a complete-game effort, striking out five and walking one.
Joe Gregory had a double and an RBI for Antioch (18-11), which finished 6-6 in the NSC Prairie.
Wauconda wound up 9-3 in the division.
Lake Zurich 14, Lake Forest 0: The Bears got their 20th win, a five-inning shutout from Mike Lutz and 3-run home runs from Tanner Kiser and red-hot Anthony Drago in their North Suburban Lake finale.
It was Lutz’s third shutout of the season, while Drago had his second homer in as many days.
Kiser and Sean Eder each had 3 hits for Lake Zurich (20-10, 8-4).
Mundelein 7, Stevenson 4: Torr Randau went 3-for-3 with a triple and double for the North Suburban Lake champs in their divisional finale.
Will Farmer (2-for-3), Jordan Wiegold, Bryan Wiener and Ryan Dolan also doubled for Mundelein (27-4, 11-1).
Mitchell Schulewitz pitched 4 no-hit innings for the win, striking out five.
Stevenson (18-12) finished 6-6 in the NSC Lake.
Libertyville 15, Warren 3: The Wildcats avenged Monday’s loss, as Nick Coutre and Anthony Mack each had a pair of hits and 3 RBI.
Kyle Cibrario earned the win for Libertyville (9-3 NSC Lake).
Pat Kenney homered and singled for Warren.