Big inning helps Prospect defeat Hersey
Prospect has been struggling to find the clutch hit and crooked numbers. On a cold Wednesday in Mt. Prospect, the Knights were able to locate both.
Prospect got some key hits when they needed them, which led to a 6-run inning. That gave the Knights all the offense they needed for an 8-3 win over Hersey.
"We have been struggling to put the ball in play and taking a better approach at the plate," Prospect coach Ross Giusti said. "We have been searching for being able to put pressure on other teams, which is what we always have typically done. But our concentration level has been better."
Prospect (7-9-1, 5-3) took a 1-0 lead in the first. Brady Jensen, who had 3 hits on the day, singled. He was balked to second and went to third on a dropped third strike before scoring.
Hersey (8-8, 3-4), which had won five of its last six games, got a solid start from Keegan Luxem. Making his first varsity start, the freshman struck out eight and allowed just 1 run in the first 3 innings.
Prospect got to the freshman in the fourth. That's when the Knights sent 11 batters to the plate and scored 6 runs to take a 7-0 lead.
Prospect got a single from Gavin Flanagan, then a walk and a pair of errors that led to a run. Jake Bush then drove in a pair with a single. Jensen had his second consecutive double to drive in a run.
"It was nice putting the bat on the ball and getting the guys going," Jensen said. "We put everything together today and played a nice, clean game."
Kyle Odeshoo added a sacrifice fly. Another Hersey error led to a run and Jake Terpins had a bases-loaded walk as Prospect appeared to be in command.
"We are going to make mistakes" Hersey coach Wally Brownley said. "That's going to happen. But when we compound them it really kills us. But I thought Keegan Luxembourg pitched real well. He had great demeanor and poise, and he pitched well enough to keep us in the game."
Hersey, which rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh to upend Prospect on Monday, tried to have lightening strike twice.
The Huskies looked like they were going to climb back into the game in the fifth. Justin Pflomm doubled and came home on Tyler Bell's single. hey then loaded the bases and were able to push across a pair of runs thanks to 2 wild pitches to cut the lead to 7-3.
Cade Cory then entered for the Knights. He induced a fly ball that turned into a nice catch by Rossi in right field. Rossi had a quartet of fine defensive plays for the Knights.
Cory shut the door on Hersey, retiring the final 6 batters. The Knights also added an insurance run on an RBI single by Zach Moreth.
"I wanted to go there and hum," said Cory, who picked up the save for winning pitcher Josh Notini.
"Last time we faced them, it wasn't our best. But we came back today."
Giusti liked how his pitchers battled Wednesday and all season.
"Little things are starting to build," he said. "I have been ver happy with out pitching staff lately. If we get that consistency and our bats to start following suit we are going to be seeing much better results."