Baseball: Gowens fans 14 as Libertyville rolls
Riley Gowens didn't feel well on Monday morning. His allergies had kicked in, and that was a reason to call in sick for school at Libertyville.
No matter - he gutted it out as the starting pitcher in the North Suburban Conference baseball clash at Lake Zurich.
"I really wasn't overpowering with my fastball,'' Gowens said. "So I threw my slider and curve more."
Gowens struck out the side in the opening frame. No, he wasn't perfect. He allowed a base on ball and an infield single in the second inning. But he struck out the side again in the third and went on to fan 14 in six innings of work as Libertyville took care of Lake Zurich 9-0.
The Wildcats' offense had 2 hits in every inning. Leadoff hitter Tommy Rigali should have had a 4-hit day but was robbed in the opening frame when Bears third baseman Austin Matuszewski made a sparkling play to steal a hit away. Rigali settled for two singles and a double.
"I love leading off,'' Rigali said. "We really hit the ball well today. We have all the talent in the world. Plus, we are in control of our own destiny."
Libertyville (18-8, 13-3) scored the first 2 runs in the first with two outs. Catcher Luke Plunkett's RBI double brought in the first tally. An outfield error made it 2-0.
Rigali's first hit made it 4-0 in the second.
This lead sure looked good for Gowens and company.
"Riley has kept us in every game,'' said Libertyville coach Matt Thompson. "He leads all the way. And we have a chance to win every time he pitches,"
The first two hitters of the third produced two more runs. Plunkett singled up the middle and trotted home when Micah Holzwarth hit the scoreboard with his 2-run homer.
With 6 runs in the bank, Gowens continued mastering the Lake Zurich lineup.
"Gowens is phenomenal,'' said Lake Zurich coach Rick Erickson. "I thought we battled well after the first inning. Libertyville had some great at-bats today."
Sure, Gowens dominated in this contest. He was also quick to recognize that Lake Zurich (10-11, 9-7) has some good players.
"Their top thee guys are really good,'' Gowens said. "Two of them are going to Iowa. And that No. 2 kid is a grinder."
Lake Zurich' s third hitter, Anthony Mangano, lined hard to short in Gowens' last inning of work. Leaoff hitter Tyler Snep reached base after being hit by a pitch. Matuszewski did not reach base on this tough-hitting day for the Bears.
Tim Jean's RBI hit drove home Rigali in the fourth. In the fifth, Nick Angel's RBI double made it 8-0. Rigali doubled and scored on Jean's sac fly to the center.
Both teams employed pinch hitters in the final frame. Both Colin Fields and Jack Henry Turco of Libertyville came through with hits.
The three-game series between these clubs continues on Tuesday and Wednesday.