Earhart excels in Vernon Hills victory

Vernon Hills sophomore pitcher Tommy Earhart continued to impress Tuesday.

He improved to 4-0, as the Cougars defeated visiting Lake Forest Academy 4-0 in a nonconference game.

Brian Schrimmer pitched 2 innings in relief of Earhart, while Nick Newman and Pat Crowley each threw one.

Vernon Hills faced veteran Carter Snyder for the third time in as many years. As in previous years, Snyder didn't make it easy on the Cougar hitters.

Vernon Hills scored its first run in the bottom of the third when Crowley walked and stole the first of his two bases. With two out, Earhart (2-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 runs) helped his own cause as he drove in Crowley with a line-shot single to center.

Vernon Hills added a run in the fourth when John Goehrke hit a solo home run. The Cougars added a run in the fifth in nearly the identical way that they scord their first run. Crowley drew a walked, stole second and scored on an Earhart single.

The final run of the game came in the sixth. Joey Marras singled before being forced out on Jacob Feece's groundball. Feece then scored when an error was made on a single by Jack Duffley.

Lake Forest 5, Warren 4: Ben Dinter was 2-for-2 with 2 doubles and 2 walks for the visiting Blue Devils in the North Suburban Lake contest.

Dom Cuevas tripled, walked, scored and drove in a run for Warren (14-6-1, 3-4). Wes Gordon pitched 6 1/3 innings in suffering the loss. He went 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk.

Lake Forest improved to 3-4 in the NSC Lake.