Baseball: Elgin Academy reaches Class 1A regional final
The Elgin Academy baseball team advanced to Saturday's regional championship after downing Class 1A host Walther Christian 12-3 Thursday.
The No. 2 seed Hilltoppers (18-5) used a 4-run fourth and a 7-run fifth to distance themselves after falling behind 3-1 after 3 innings. Of Elgin Academy's 11 hits, Jordan Hare went 2-for-3 with 6 RBI, a double and a grand slam. Christian Rodriguez (RBI) and Colin Konicek (RBI) each had 2 hits while CJ Carani (3 RBI) and Reece Zonts each doubled.
It was plenty enough offense for winning pitcher Jonathan Cruz, who went 6 innings, tossed 112 pitched and gave up 3 hits, 3 runs (1 earned) on 7 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Winnebago 12, St. Edward 7: At the Class 2A Oregon regional, the No. 7 Green Wave (7-25) were eliminated from postseason play despite grabbing a 4-3 lead in the third thanks to a 4-run inning. Mike Lopez (2-for-4, RBI) doubled and scored 2 runs while Jake Middelton and Jeff Mamrot each had 2 hits and 2 RBI. No. 4 Winnebago pounded out 15 hits and did St. Edward in with a 5-run fourth inning and 2 runs each in the fifth and sixth innings.
Huntley 5, Prairie Ridge 4 (8 inn.): The Red Raiders (26-5, 18-4) clinched a share of the Fox Valley Conference title with a dramatic extra inning win over the Wolves. Evan Tocmo's pinch hit RBI single to right in the eighth that scored Zach Model (2-for-4) was the winning run for Huntley, which tallied all its previous runs in the first inning. Michael Talesky also had 2 hits while Matt Rodriguez, Hunter Rumachik and AJ Henkle each had 1 RBI. Grant Yakimisky (1.1 IP, 3 K) got the win in relief of Eli Paplanus (2.1 IP, 1H, 0R, 3 K, 1 BB) and starter Nick Laxner (4.1 IP, 7H, 4R, 3ER, 3K, 0BB).
South Elgin 11, Bartlett 1: The Storm (12-8-1, 10-6) beat their Upstate Eight Valley rivals with 13 hits and without an extra-base hit. Nate Gomez (3-for-4) had a team-high 3 RBI while Zach Saunders (2-for-4) had 2 RBI. Logan Romasanta (RBI) also had 2 hits. South Elgin pitcher Patrick Keaty got a 4-inning win by surrendering just 2 hits on 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Mike Vaca and Joey Allen each had 2 hits, as Vaca provided Bartlett (10-17, 9-11) a double.
Burlington Central 12, Harvard 2: The Rockets (21-9, 15-3) pounded out 15 hits in this Kishwaukee River win. Colton Wallace went 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and Nick Matijevic was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI. Zach Schutta (3 RBI) and Andrew Griffin each had 2 hits while Paddy McKermitt provided a triple. Brandley Dinges got the win on the mound in 4 innings work. He gave up no hits or runs on 7 strikeouts and 4 walks in 80 pitches thrown.
Cary Grove 12, CL South 5: The Trojans did all their damage in the early innings of this FVC win over their rivals. Cary-Grove (18-10-1, 13-9) managed 4 runs in the first and 2 in each of the second and third innings as Ryan Ignoffo had 3 hits and 2 RBI. Kyle Ives and Shane Layshock also had 2 RBI each. Quinn Priester (2-for-3, RBI) also got the win on the mound in 4 innings of work. He gave up just 2 hits on 4 strikeouts with no runs allowed. South (11-16-1, 8-14) received a 3-hit day from Blake Kuffel (RBI) while Harrison Hinz (RBI) had 2 hits.
Kaneland 7, Glenbard South 1: In a nonconference win, the Knights (18-8) received a triple and 3 hits from Luke Gomes and a triple, 2 hits and 3 RBI from Angel Acevedo. Robbie Dudzinski (RBI) also had 2 hits. The Raiders will held to 1 run on 1 hit as winning pitcher Alex Buchanan gave up 1 unearned runs on no hits allowed and 5 strikeouts in 5 innings.
Harvest Christian 19, IMSA 5: The Lions (23-7) were led by Jack Nohava (2 RBI), who cranked out 4 hits, including a double and a triple. Joey Pepper (3 hits) and Zach Pawelek each had 4 RBI and 2 doubles. Sam Bonick's win on the mound included 6 hits allowed on 2 runs (1 earned), 5 strikeouts and 2 walks in 6 innings.
McHenry 7, Hampshire 5: In a FVC loss, Matthew Jachec (RBI) went 2-for-4 while Andre Krajecki (RBI) and Nicholas Tenny doubled for the Whips (13-20, 6-16), who were outhit by the Warriors 15-8.