Wheaton North picks up where it left off
From spring to summer, not much has changed for Wheaton North's baseball team.
The Falcons just keep winning.
After claiming a Class 4A sectional title last month, Wheaton North stayed on its roll by beating Metea Valley 11-1 in six innings in Tuesday's Glenbard South regional quarterfinals in the IHSBCA Phil Lawler Summer Classic.
The Falcons (21-5) led the entire way after taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning. They scored 4 runs in the bottom of the sixth, the final run coming home on Ryan Kent's sacrifice fly, to end the game.
"We've got a group of guys who love baseball, and they realize the expectations are pretty high," said Falcons designated hitter Nick Barry, who blasted a 2-run homer in the sixth inning. "Even though we lost a lot of guys to graduation, we're not lowering our expectations."
Metea Valley (13-11), after beating Willowbrook on Monday, ended its first varsity summer season by struggling on the mound and at the plate. The Mustangs, who walked eight batters but struck out none, managed only 5 hits against Wheaton North starter Eric Scandora.
Billy Sheeron's RBI double drove in Metea Valley's lone run in the second inning, narrowing the gap to 2-1, but the Mustangs had only 1 hit the rest of the game. Scandora retired the final eight batters he faced in a complete-game effort.
"Our pitching wasn't very good, and against a team like Wheaton North you've got to be better than that," said Mustangs coach Craig Tomczak. "They're a very good team, and we have to learn to play at that level."
Falcons cleanup hitter Micah Penn laced an RBI double and drove in 3 runs. Jeff Schalk, Barry and John Peltz had 2 hits apiece.
Wheaton North advances to the Glenbard South regional semifinals to play Hinsdale Central, a 6-2 winner over Glenbard East, at 4:30 p.m. today.
"We've had a good summer, no question about it," said Falcons coach Dan Schoessling. "These guys have performed well."
Prospect regional: In the quarterfinals of the Prospect regional, Lake Park was eliminated 8-3 by Prospect. The Lancers led 3-0 in the third inning but surrendered 6 runs in the frame after two outs. Conant beat Glenbard North 14-10.
Fenwick regional: Glenbard West fell to Lyons Twp. 9-8, but nearly pulled out the victory behind a fierce seventh-inning rally. The Hilltoppers trailed 9-4 in the seventh inning, scored 4 runs and had the bases loaded before the Lions finally escaped with the win. York lost to St. Joseph 5-1 after surrendering 4 runs in the first inning.
Wheaton Legion: The Wheaton Legion baseball team claimed the 11th District Tournament title last weekend after topping the champions of Kane, Will and McHenry counties. Wheaton will play in this week's Second Division Tournament beginning today in Ottawa.