Baseball notes: Regillio, Stempowski swinging hot bats to start season
Prior to the season, Crystal Lake South coach Brian Bogda and Geneva coach Brad Wendell expected big things from senior leaders CJ Regillio and Nate Stempowski for the Gators and Vikings, respectively.
Just 6 games into the season, Regillio and Stempowski have already surpassed expectations.
Regillio, a 6-foot-6, 210-pounder, began his season by belting a first-inning grand slam, then returned two innings later to smack another grand slam during the Gators’ 14-2, 5-inning victory over Rockford Boylan on March 15.
The next day, Regillio continued his hot streak with a 3-run home run in the Gators’ 19-4, 4-inning rout of Richmond-Burton, and he added a home run and 3 RBI during his team’s 14-8 victory over Woodstock on March 19.
Following another 3-RBI performance in the Gators’ 25-8, 4-inning win over Harvard on March 21, Regillio went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBI during a 15-0 win over Wellston (Ohio) on March 27.
In 6 games, the first baseman/outfielder is hitting .563 (9 for 16) with 5 home runs and 20 RBI.
Stempowski enjoyed a memorable season debut of his own, going 4 for 4 and hitting for the cycle during Geneva’s 18-3, 4-inning victory over South Elgin on March 19.
After going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI in the Vikings’ 5-4 win over Yorkville on March 21, Stempowski drove in 4 runs during his team’s 10-0 victory over Johnsburg on March 26.
The following day, Stempowski went 2 for 2 with a home run, triple and 5 RBI in Geneva’s 20-1, 4-inning victory over Mundelein.
In 6 games, the shortstop is hitting .688 (11 for 16) with a pair of home runs, 2 triples, 3 doubles, and 19 RBI.
Incidentally, both Crystal Lake South and Geneva own 6-0 records.
Geneva wrapped up a 4-0 Memphis trip with a 12-5 win over Plano last Friday. Charlie Winterhalter went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI, while Sam Seykora added a pair of RBI. Josh Feucht pitched 4 1/3 innings of 1-run ball to get the win, striking out 5.
The Vikings also received solid Memphis performances from Chase Sorrentino (2 for 4, 3 RBI vs. Mundelein), Kollin Mickelsen (3 for 4, 3 RBI vs. Johnsburg), and Bryce Breon (2 for 3, HR, 5 RBI vs. Pickerington Central, Ohio).
The Gators earned a pair of victories in Myrtle Beach, S.C., highlighted by a 9-1 win over Medina (Ohio) on March 26. Senior shortstop Dayton Murphy went 2 for 2 with a double and 3 stolen bases, while junior pitcher Yandel Ramirez didn’t allow an earned run in 6 innings.
Aurora Christian (4-2) split a pair of games in Arkansas, beating Mountain Pine 10-3 behind Owen Niedzwiecki’s 5 innings of 1-hit ball with 10 strikeouts. Kaleb Elwood, Jameson Rapinchuk, and Wil McCracken had 3 RBI each.
Wheaton Academy (7-1) went 5-0 during its trip to the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Melbourne, Fla., capped by a 14-5 win over Bullis Prep (Md.) on March 28. Eric DeCosta hit a 3-run home run, while Dom Murrell went 3 for 4 with 4 runs scored, and Brandon Kiebles was 2 for 3 with a double and 2 stolen bases.
In their Florida opener, DeCosta pitched 5 innings of 1-hit ball, while Jacob York plated pinch runner Dallas Johnston with a walk-off RBI single during the Warriors’ 1-0, 8-inning win over IMG Academy.
Aurora Central Catholic (6-3) defeated East Aurora 14-4 on March 28 behind Matthew Guzauskas (4 IP, 0 R, 7 K), Nick Czerak (4 for 4, 2 RBI), and Kevin Lillwitz (2 for 3, 3 RBI).
On March 16, the Chargers split a doubleheader with St. Edward, taking the opener 7-6 on Ryan Vagnoni’s walk-off RBI single. The Green Wave, who left for Florida last Saturday, won the nightcap 16-13, led by Josh Avila (4 for 4, 3 RB), Joseph DuSell (2 for 4, HR, 2 RBI), and Drew Ramos (3 for 5, 3 RBI).
St. Francis (6-1) went 2-0 in Florida, beating Radnor (Pa.) 7-3 on March 26 behind winning pitcher Colt Armbrust. Earlier, the Spartans downed Monroe (Ohio) 3-1.
Westmont (4-2) senior Noah Grimm went 4 for 4 with 6 RBI while becoming the first player in school history to hit for the cycle during the Sentinels’ 20-1 win over Chicago Disney on March 16.
Coaching milestones:
Congratulations to a trio of local coaches on recording their first victories.
At St. Charles East, Derek Sutor picked up his first varsity win during the Saints’ 12-2, 5-inning rout of Plainfield North on March 28 in Plainfield.
The Saints (1-1), who suffered a 7-4 season-opening loss to perennial power Huntley on March 21, jumped all over the Cougars with a 4-run first inning.
Senior infielder Jake Greenspan led the way, going 3 for 3 with 2 RBI and a pair of runs scored, while classmate Jack Bennett went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI.
Sophomore pitcher/infielder Nate Moline recorded his first varsity victory on the mound and helped his own cause with a base hit and 3 RBI.
St. Charles East opens its DuKane Conference season against Glenbard North Monday in Carol Stream.
At Montini, first-year coach Eric Scott earned his debut triumph during the Broncos’ 10-0 victory over Glenbard South in Glen Ellyn.
Last week, Montini recorded 3 wins during its spring trip to Florida.
The Broncos capped the southern trek with a 10-0 win over Northside Christian behind sophomore Blake Meyer’s 5 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts. Seniors AJ Manganello and Cash Campbell led the way at the dish, combining for 3 hits and 4 RBI.
Montini (6-3-1) starting pitchers recorded a 0.00 ERA during the week in Florida.
The Broncos host Wheaton Academy Saturday.
At Harvest Christian, Cory Deshazer recorded his first varsity win during the Lions’ 15-4, 6-inning victory over Stevenson on March 14.
Leading 5-4 after 4 innings, the Lions put the game away with a 10-run sixth.
Offensive leaders included leadoff man Gavin Duran (3 for 4, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 2 SB), Kaden Meeker (2 R, RBI, 4 IP, 3H, 7 Ks), Ben Mitchell (2 for 3, 3 RBI, 2B), and Hayden Mosley (2 for 4, 4 RBI, 2B).
Harvest Christian (3-3) went 2-1 on its trip to Tennessee last week, ending Munford’s 8-game winning streak with a 14-10, 8-inning win before dropping a 9-6 decision to Greenbrier. Junior Cade Adrian led the way against Munford, going 3 for 4 with a double and 5 RBI.