Crosby receives warm welcome home

Saturday night in Geneva, Elfstrom Stadium hosted a unique Tri-Cities showdown. But this was much bigger than a pair of high school teams getting together, or even a state playoff game.

Former Kaneland standout Casey Crosby took the mound for the West Michigan Whitecaps against St. Charles North grad and Cougars starter Kenny Smalley. And no matter how much the two hurlers might have wanted to focus on the job at hand, the whole thing had the feel of a homecoming.

"I underestimated what it was going to be like," Crosby said. "It was overwhelming. Everywhere I looked I saw somebody I knew from high school or one of my coaches."

Kaneland jerseys, T-shirts, and caps dotted the stands. Fueled by adrenaline, Crosby struck out the side in the first on just 11 pitches.

"Everybody that I knew from high school was here," Crosby said. "This was pretty crazy."

The 20-year-old lefty was cheered loudly by supporters throughout the packed stadium, and from a skybox that was filled with his family and friends.

Despite the strong start, Crosby ran into some control problems in the second, and then again two innings later, and failed to get out of the fourth.

"In the first inning I felt pretty good, then it just kind of fell apart," Crosby said. "I think I just wanted to be perfect, and I can't really explain it."

Smalley fared better, but the Kane County (25-17) bullpen let him down in the Cougars' 7-4 loss. The former Batavia and North Stars ace was making his 11th appearance and third start of the season for the Cougars.

"It was cool how it worked out that we were pitching on the same night," Smalley said. "I tried to calm myself down and just pitch like I normally do to be effective and control the zone."

Smalley also got off to a fast start, and needed just 4 pitches to get through the first inning, then struck out the side in the second.

"I didn't think I had my best stuff, but I felt pretty good," Smalley said.

He left the game with a 3-2 lead after 5 innings, but the Whitecaps scored 4 runs in the seventh, and both Smalley and Crosby settled for a no decision.

"This was a homecoming for me, and I thank everyone so much for supporting me," Crosby said.

This was his first and quite possibly his last time pitching at Elfstrom, since the Whitecaps are not scheduled to return this season.

"This was my first start where everyone could watch me, and it will definitely be one of the most memorable outings I'll ever experience," Crosby said.

Crosby entered with a 2-0 record this season and a 2.43 ERA in eight starts.