Bartlett, South Elgin post Upstate Eight wins
The Bartlett baseball team bounced back in a big way Tuesday.
One day after the Hawks were shut out 11-0 by Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division leader Lake Park, they scored 6 runs in the top of the fourth inning to break open a 1-run game in Aurora.
Ben Havel (3-for-4) doubled twice and drove in 3 runs, Mike Roberson (1-for-2) finished with 3 RBI and Sam Franco went 4-for-5 with a double and 2 RBI for Bartlett (12-5, 11-5). Winning pitcher Doug VanDyke (5-1) went the distance, allowing 6 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks. Troy Fumagalli took the loss for Waubonsie Valley (10-7, 8-4).
South Elgin 8, Neuqua Valley 1: Ryan Nutof stymied visiting Neuqua Valley in this Upstate Eight Valley win. Nutof (3-0) held the Wildcats to 1 earned run on 6 hits. He walked 4 and struck out 9 in a 120-pitch, 6-inning effort. Joe Crivolio (2 RBI) and Alex Wolfe (2 RBI) each doubled and Riley Halter went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI for South Elgin (10-8, 9-5). Danny Mokrzycki took the loss for Neuqua Valley (14-8, 11-5).
Richmond-Burton 5, Burlington Central 3: Host Richmond-Burton scored 4 runs in the first inning and outhit Central 10-5, leaving the rivals tied atop the East Division of the Big Northern Conference with 6-2 records. Danny Gerke (2-3) took the loss for Burlington Central (7-7).
Geneva 12, Larkin 2: The Vikings tagged Larkin pitching for 13 hits in this six-inning Upstate Eight River contest in Elgin. Brayden Royse took the loss, allowing 5 earned runs on 5 hits and 5 walks. Royse, Chris Guzeman (2-for-3) and Niko Morado doubled for Larkin (6-12, 3-10). Winning pitcher Brock Chenier also homered and drove in 2 runs for Geneva (11-10, 8-8).
Batavia 13, Elgin 0: The Bulldogs (16-4, 10-4) amassed 11 runs in the first 2 innings to take control of this UEC River game. Jonathan Zima (2-4) allowed 7 earned runs in 3 innings for Elgin (6-13, 5-11).
Westminster Christian 22, IMSA 2: The Warriors mounted a 21-hit attack and capitalized on 9 errors by the Titans to roll in Northeast Athletic action. Offensive contributors included Chase Woods (4-for-5, 3B, 4 R, 4 RBI), Luke Weston (2-for-4, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI) and Frank Anquilo (2-for-3, 3B, 3 RBI). John Wawro held IMSA to 4 hits and a walk and struck out 2 in 3 innings for Westminster Christian (6-6, 6-2).
Chicago Christian 11, St. Edward 1: Jack Tierney’s solo home run staked the Green Wave to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Chicago Christian (19-3, 9-2) answered with a 10-hit barrage and took advantage of 4 errors in a five-inning Suburban Christian Gold rout. Sophomore Jake LaFrenz (3-2) was roughed up for 7 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits in 3 innings. He walked 3 and struck out 2 for St. Edward (11-7, 9-5).
Hampshire 5, Johnsburg 0: Brandon Wescher held the Skyhawks scoreless on 6 hits and 2 walks over 6 innings and struck out a pair to lead the Whip-Purs to a Fox Valley Conference Fox Division win. Piotr Barnas (4-for-4, 2B, R), Mike Merchut (2-for-4, R) and Tyler Crater (RBI) paced the offense for Hampshire (9-9, 2-8).
Cary-Grove 11, McHenry 6: The Trojans used a 5-run sixth inning to snap a 4-4 tie en route to this FVC Valley road win. Cary-Grove (14-5, 8-3) outhit McHenry (15-8, 9-3) 14-10, led by Matt Ewert (2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Zach Marszal (2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI) and Brandon McCumber (3-for-3, 2 2B, R). Winning pitcher Andrew Brierton (3-1) was touched for 5 runs on 7 hits, walked 3 and struck out a batter, but he was charged with only 3 earned runs due to 3 Cary-Grove errors.
Crystal Lake South 13, Prairie Ridge 2: Troy Bittenbender’s grand slam staked the Gators to a first-inning lead and Garrett Bright and Max Meitzler each homered in a five-inning Fox Valley (Valley) romp. Winning pitcher Tyler Hall (6-1) allowed 2 earned runs on 9 hits for CL South (12-4, 9-4). Steven Ladd was the losing pitcher for Prairie Ridge (15-7, 7-4).
Woodstock North 12, Dundee-Crown 0: The Thunder scored 7 first-inning runs and were never threatened in this FVC crossover. Vince Damato took the loss for Dundee-Crown (6-12, 4-9).