Grayslake Central splits on Florida trip

Grayslake Central starts 1-1: The Rams split their opening two games in the ESPN Disney World Baseball Classic over the weekend.

Grayslake Central dropped their opener 3-2 to Elizabeth Forward (NY). The Rams wasted several scoring opportunities, stranding 10 runners while hitting into 3 double plays.

Mitch Tielke picked up the loss, allowing 3 first-inning runs. The senior right hander then settled down after that, striking out four and allowing only 1 hit in his 5 innings. Nick Richter tossed the final two frames, allowing no runs and 1 hit.

The Rams outhit Elizabeth 5-2.

"We wasted a solid pitching effort from Mitch and Nick," Rams coach Troy Whalen said. "We just couldn't get the big hit."

Grayslake Central fared much better in the second game, scoring 8 runs in the first inning en route to a six-inning, 12-2 win victory over Shipley, Pa.

Matt Murphy raised his season record to 2-0, as he allowed 1 earned run over 5 innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Joe Schaiper was the hitting star for the Rams with a triple and 2 singles. Derek Idstein tripled, singled and drove in 2 runs, and Josh DeAngelis added a double and single.

Grayslake Central (3-1) was scheduled to play Jerome (Dublin, Ohio) on Monday night.