Guryn's gem paces Grayslake Central
Justin Guryn fanned 10 batters over four innings, and his Grayslake Central baseball teammates gave him plenty of run support, as the Rams defeated host Antioch 9-0 Tuesday for their third win in a row.
The junior lefty, coming off a no-hitter in Florida last week, ran his record to 2-0, as Grayslake Central improved to 4-2 with its second win in as many days.
Senior Justin Dooley, another left-hander, tossed 3 innings for the save, as he and Guryn combined on a 3-hitter.
Matt Loeffl had 3 hits and 2 RBI to lead a 14-hit attack for the Rams. Pat Burba and Mike Stone each contributed 2 hits and 2 RBI. Freddie Landers had a double and single and scored 2 runs, while Kyle Clark contributed 2 singles. Dooley also doubled, as did Burba.
"The boys responded and swung the bats well in less-than-ideal hitting conditions," Rams coach Troy Whalen said.
Adam Harvey and Collin Prather had doubles for Antioch.
Vernon Hills 11, Zion-Benton 0: A team effort propelled the Cougars to victory.
Nick Newman provided another excellent effort on the hill, throwing a five-inning complete game, allowing only 3 hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Newman was supported by great defense, which included a diving catch by Jacob Feece. Vernon Hills set the tone offensively in the first, as 10 straight batters reached base safely. Pat Crowley (2-for-3, RBI) led off the game, followed by a single by Connor McNamara (1-for-3, RBI), triple by John Goehrke (1-for-2, triple, 2 RBI), single by Tommy Earhart (1-for-2, RBI) and double by Jordan Freibrun (1-for-2, RBI). After four consecutive walks, Crowley laced his second hit of the inning to right-center. The 8-run inning ended when Freibrun flew out deep to left field with bases loaded.
Vernon Hills added on in the second. Andrew Willey (2-for-2) had a one-out single, Joey Marras and Newman both reached on infield errors, with Willey scoring. Marras later scored on a wild pitch and courtesy runner Nick Conrad scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of McNamara to cap the scoring.
Grayslake North 1, Waukegan 0: Merrick Gentile drove in Dylan Foster in the bottom of the seventh, as the Knights improved to 4-2 with the nonconference win.
Alex Alvarez went 3-for-3 with a walk. He and Austyn Rubback doubled. On the mound, Andrew Mikusa pitched 6 shutout innings, striking out eight and allowing only 1 hit, but got a no-decision. Sean McHugh threw the seventh to improve to 3-1.
Grant 9, Johnsburg 1: Illinois State-bound Simeon Lucas and Cincinnati-bound Ryan Noda both homered for the second day in a row, and Jacob Lewis earned the win for the second straight day.
Lewis pitched 6 innings, striking out seven. Noda also tripled, finishing 2-for-2 with 2 RBI. Lucas was 1-for-2 with 2 walks. Will Zitkus had a single for Grant (2-0).
Round Lake 6, Alden-Hebron 4: A six-run second inning did the trick for the host Panthers, who got a triple and 2 RBI from winning pitcher Ryan Newman.
John Ridley earned the save for Round Lake (1-1).
Glenbrook South 10, Stevenson 0: Villanova-bound Conor McCarthy no-hit the Patriots, who fell to 1-1.
Crystal Lake Central 11, Wauconda 8: The host Bulldogs dropped their home opener, despite Joey Lovelle going 3-for-3 with a triple and 3 RBI.
Jake Grobelny had a double for Wauconda (0-4).