Baseball notes: Rocket launch among highlights on spring break trips

Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and rocket launches?

Hinsdale Central carried a 4-2 record into this week’s play, but the wins and losses pale in comparison to the experience the players, coaches, and parents enjoyed last week during the team’s 3-day trip to Florida.

During the Red Devils’ victory over Mamaonreck (NY) last Wednesday at the Jackie Robinson Complex in Vero Beach, the teams took a brief timeout in the action to watch the Artemis II launch from nearby Cape Canavarel.

“The launch was great to see in person – amazing really,” said Red Devils coach Jason Ziemer. “We watched as a team along with numerous other teams and fans who took a moment to witness history.

“There was a lot of cheering and excitement at the complex.”

The cheering extended for Red Devils fans, who watched their team begin the southern trip on the right foot.

Starting pitcher Adam Zak tossed 5 innings of 3-hit ball, allowing no earned runs before Alex Garcher closed out the final 2 frames.

Owen Sunderson paced the offense, going 2 for 2 with a triple, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored, supported by Greyson Davis (2 for 3, 2 RBI), and Peyton Klovanich (1 for 3, triple).

Following a 9-5 loss to Northmont (Ohio) on April 2, Hinsdale Central wrapped up its trip with an 8-1 victory over Chardon (Ohio) last Friday.

The Red Devils host Naperville Central Thursday.

Wheaton Academy (7-3) was another local team to gain the experience of a lifetime during last week’s Florida trip.

“Mid-third inning, play was stopped to witness the NASA rocket launched from Cape Canaveral,” Warriors coach Justin Swider said of the team’s eventual 8-7 victory over Eau Gallie (Melbourne, Fla.) last Wednesday.

“The rocket was seen over the first-base foul pole,” said the coach. “Sounds and vibrations were felt well into the rest of the inning.”

On the field, senior shortstop Jackson From went 3 for 4 with a 2-run double and 3-run home run, while Colton Miller added an RBI single.

From also produced the defensive play of the game, making a sliding, spinning stop of a hot smash and threw out the runner by half a step to end the game and preserve the victory.

Wheaton Academy finished the trip with last Thursday’s 5-3 win over Satellite High School. Senior TJ Sias went 5 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits with 6 strikeouts, while Jy Cooks earned the save.

Cooks entered the game with runners on second and third with 1 out in the bottom of the seventh, and induced a line drive to third baseman Miller, who stepped on third for the game-ending double play.

“It was a great trip,” said Swider. “We got to play five games in great weather against good teams. We had an up-close encounter with the NASA rocket launch, got some time in body surfing at the beach, enjoyed a lot of laughs at the house pool, and grew closer together as brothers in Christ learning what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”

St. Charles East (6-2) earned 3 wins in 4 games during its Spring Break trip to Nashville.

The Saints opened with an 8-2 victory over Stewart’s Creek (Tenn.) on March 30, as Kyle LaRose, Dylan McCabe, and Mason Daros all had multiple hits, while winning pitcher Andrew Evans tossed 4 1/3 innings of 1-hit ball with 3 strikeouts.

Following the game, 2002 graduate/left-handed pitcher Matt Reynolds, who became the first Saints player to make it to the majors when he debuted with the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 19, 2010, spoke with the team.

After a 6-3 loss to the same Stewart’s Creek team on March 31, the Saints finished the trip with victories over Hillsboro (11-7) and MLK Magnet (12-5) last Wednesday and Thursday.

Senior James Feigleson went 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored against MLK Magnet, while LaRose was 2 for 5 with an RBI triple. Oscar Perez and Niko Vahmistrous added RBI hits.

The Saints, who play at Kaneland Wednesday, had lunch at Jelly Roll’s Goodnight Nashville restaurant, lifted weights mid-week at Fuel Fortress, and went to a TopGolf facility in Nashville.

Crystal Lake South (5-1) opened its season with 3 wins in Tampa March 23-26.

“The weather was terrific and we played against some excellent competition,” said Gators coach Brian Bogda. “It was nice to get everyone at-bats and opportunities to play. More importantly, we were able to slow down and work on some team building throughout different points of the trip.

“This is our first time going to Tampa. I credit my friend, Terry Beyna, from St. Viator for providing me information about the Tampa experience. In past years, we have gone to Marion (IL) and to Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Ripken Experience). We have been doing these trips for 12 years now.”

The Gators went 3-0 in Florida, outscoring their opponents, 21-2.

“I have been impressed with our pitching,” said Bogda, whose team split with Lane Tech (4-3 loss) and Chicago University High (won 12-3) last weekend. “We made some wonderful defensive plays – Nick Stowasser chasing down a line shot in center field, along with Carson Trivellini making a marvelous play in the hole at shortstop.

“I like the blend of youth and veteran presence from our group.”

Geneva (8-1) went 4-0 in North Carolina; Waubonsie Valley (3-6) split 4 games in Louisville; Lake Park (4-3) finished 2-2 in Alabama; and Kaneland (1-4-1) went 1-3 in Alabama.

The first few weeks of the season have featured several individual highlights, including grand slams in the same inning by Crystal Lake South’s Nick Stowasser and Jackson Lee; a combined no-hitter by Gators pitchers Devin DeLoach and Tanner Mayer; Parker Howland’s 4 for 5 plate performance with 7 RBI for Waubonsie Valley; Jonathon Valdez’ home run and 4 RBI for Addison Trail; West Chicago’s 6-run rally in the bottom of the seventh to beat Addison Trail, 6-5, last month for Jim Karas’ first victory as head coach; senior catcher Liam Schultz going 6 for 11 with 3 home runs, 8 RBI, and 4 runs scored in Burlington Central’s opening week; Aurora Central Catholic junior Nick Czerak going 9 for 13 with 2 doubles, a triple, a home run, 4 RBI, and 8 runs scored from March 23-28; Wheaton Academy pitchers Colton Miller, TJ Sias, and Alex Swallow combining for a no-hitter in the Warriors’ 4-0 win over IC Catholic Prep last month; and Westmont pitcher CJ Balcer’s perfect game with 10 strikeouts during the Sentinels’ 12-0, 5-inning victory over Rockford East Monday.