Liebman, Huntley slip past Hampshire

Zach Liebman and Tanner Funke were brilliant on the mound while Craig Lipp provided the offensive fireworks.

That was the scenario as Huntley nipped Hampshire 2-1 in nonconference baseball action in Huntley Wednesday afternoon.

"Zach pitched a great game," said Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski. "His curve was biting and he was in total control of his pitches. He was working quick and getting a lot of first-pitch strikes. It is early in the season and Zach was getting a little tired. Tanner came in and did a nice job in getting a save."

Liebman, who pitched 6 innings, struck out nine without allowing a walk. Liebman, who allowed 1 run on 1 hit, struck out at least 1 batter in each of the 6 innings he threw.

The Red Raiders' pitcher, who no-hit the Whip-Purs for 3-plus innings, gave up a single to Matt Kuefner with one out in the third. Zach Crninigan, who reached on an error, scored Hampshire's only run on an infield ground out.

"My fastball was really moving and my off-speed pitches were working," said Liebman. "I was able to work quick and get ahead of the hitters. I got a lot of first-pitch strikes."

After 6 strong innings, Liebman gave away to Funke. After the first batter reached on an error, Funke, a Southern Illinois University signee, retired the final 3 hitters to earn his first save of the season. The Huntley senior left-hander struck out Ryan Dechant and Tyler Bentley to end the game.

The Red Raiders' only 2 runs of the game came on a 2-run double by Lipp in the second. Huntley (5-0-1), which had runners in 5 of 6 innings, stranded 9 men on base.

"I didn't like our approach at the plate," said Jakubowksi. "We were complacent and we didn't adjust very well. We left way too many men on base. We didn't come up with the big hit."

Hampshire (3-2) got solid pitching from Erik Chelberg, Ryan Meyer and Kent Larson. The threesome allowed 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 innings.

Hampshire coach Steve Ream was bothered by 6 walks and a hit batsmen his staff allowed.

"Our three kids threw well, but we had too many walks and our pitchers threw too many pitches," said Ream. "We didn't hit well today because of the cold and their outstanding pitching. Our defense was good and we weren't intimidated. Last year Huntley intimidated us and they beat us up pretty good."