Koziol helps Hersey grab another victory
Hersey's hopes appeared to be sinking with Greg Sanders' third-inning line drive to left field Friday afternoon.
Sanders was looking to add at least 2 runs and possibly three to host Buffalo Grove's 3-run lead with the bases loaded and two outs. It could have been a game-breaker for Hersey even with a 30 mph wind blasting out to right field.
But senior Joe Koziol broke in at full speed, dived and took away a big hit from Sanders. Hersey then caught all the momentum as it scored 6 runs in the fourth and junior lefty Ryan Busse didn't allow another run in a 12-4 Mid-Suburban East baseball win.
"(Koziol) saved it," said Hersey coach Bob Huber after its third straight division win.
"Having that was a pick-me-up right there," the left-handed Busse said after a gutty complete game. "That catch just got us fired up."
Hersey (8-8, 3-2) took advantage of a passed ball on a strikeout and 2 errors for a 7-4 lead in the fourth. Alex Lee had an RBI single and Chris James lined a 2-run homer to right.
BG (6-9, 2-3), which thought Koziol trapped the ball, had just 4 hits in the last 4 innings off Busse (1-2).
"I caught it and got my glove under it," Koziol said. "Then the momentum swung and we started hitting.
"I thought maybe I was going to have to pull up and take it on one hop, but I knew I had a chance and reached out and laid out for it."
Pat Hyde also popped a 3-run homer to right in a 5-run sixth. Sophomore center fielder Joe Perricone (3-for-3) made a diving grab on Sanders' sacrifice fly in the second and a nice running grab going back to the fence in the fourth.
"It helps a lot when you've got your 'D' on your back," Busse said after 82 of his 128 pitches were strikes. "You can throw the ball and if they hit it, let the fielders deal with it."
That's been BG's big issue as it committed 6 errors for 14 in two games. None of the 7 runs starter James Hurley allowed in 5-plus innings were earned.
It also wiped out some nice offensive work as Jon Moore lofted a solo homer to right and Hurley and Matt Stadler had RBI singles. Stadler also had a bunt single and J.P. Kulick and Jeremy Salzman had sacrifices to set up runs.
"The only disappointing part is we haven't been playing well in the field and it's killing us right now," said BG coach Jeff Grybash. "James threw the ball great."
Barrington 11, Fremd 0: Junior Robby McDonnell threw a 3-hitter with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks in 6 innings as Barrington (10-5, 3-2) ended the 8-game winning streak of West leader Fremd (9-5, 4-1).
Barrington ended it with an 8-run sixth. Bryant Sullivan went 3-for-3, Johnny Day (2 RBI), Chris Holke and Anthony Brignola had 2 hits each and Jack Scheffler homered.
Prospect 2, Elk Grove 0: Junior John Coen threw a 4-hitter with 5 strikeouts and no walks as Prospect (7-9, 2-3) sent Elk Grove (14-7, 2-3) to its third straight MSL East loss.
Miles Osei homered in the second and Tom Longpre had an RBI single in the fifth.
Right fielder Alex Zavacki had a diving catch with runners at first and second and one out in the fifth. Shortstop Jason Leblebijian and second baseman Matt Molini turned a double play in the seventh.
Conant 21, Hoffman 4: Joe Belmonte, Sean Smith and Mike Keegan homered and winner Derek Wojcik had 4 RBI for Conant (11-5, 4-1) in the 5-inning MSL West win. Chris Fett homered for Hoffman (5-13, 2-3).
Meadows 16, Wheeling 2: Winner Will Trunk was aided by a 12-hit attack led by Jake Winkler (3-for-4) and Ben Kamperschroer (2-for-3, 4 RBI) for East leader Meadows (9-7, 5-0) in the 6-inning win at Wheeling (2-15, 1-4).
Palatine 3, Schaumburg 2: Cody Bobbit's tie-breaking two-out homer in the seventh and Kevin Becker's 5-hitter gave Palatine (5-12, 1-4) the MSL West win at Schaumburg (7-8, 1-4). Becker had 3 strikeouts and 1 walk.
St. Viator 13, DeLaSalle 3: Julian Sipiora had a double, triple and 3 RBI and Cory Kay had 3 RBI for St. Viator (9-6) and winner Eric Walantas (2-1).