Baseball: York's Chrisman efficient against Downers Grove North

After making a relief appearance earlier this week, York's Danny Chrisman was saddled with a pitch-count limit on Thursday.

Didn't need it.

In his first start of the season, the senior right-hander needed only 41 pitches to ease through a 5-inning complete game in the Dukes' 12-0 West Suburban Silver victory at Downers Grove North.

Chrisman struck out the first and last batters he faced, but in between came 10 groundball outs that kept his count low. He had back-to-back 4-pitch innings highlighted by a double play he started to end the third.

"I was just trying to hit the strike zone as much as possible and see where it took me," said Chrisman, who allowed 2 hits and walked none. "I was aiming for the groundballs and trying to go as far as I could. I've been waiting for a start all year and hoping for the opportunity."

The offense, meanwhile, raked again. Downers North (5-16, 4-7) sophomore starter Lucas Nielsen kept the Dukes (11-8, 5-4) scoreless for two innings and allowed a lone run in the third.

York, which scored double-digit runs for the second straight day and the seventh time this season, broke through in the fourth inning with 5 runs and added 6 runs in the fifth.

Joe Orrico and Dan Brown, who drove in 3 runs, each had 3 hits. Timmy Bowbin had a 2-run fourth-inning single.

"It got away from us a little bit," said Downers North coach Kyle Briscoe, whose lineup featured three sophomores and five juniors. "We knew it might be a little tough at times this season, but hopefully we're progressing in the right direction."

Chrisman retired nine straight to close the win that gave the Dukes two of three in the Silver series.

"I told him he had 60 pitches, so let's make sure we're efficient," said York coach Dave Kalal. "He's a strike-thrower, and he can throw three pitches for a strike all the time. He works fast. He throws strikes. He's just effective out there."

Twitter: @kevin_schmit