With great anticipation Elgin, Larkin meet again
The annual crosstown series between the Elgin and Larkin baseball teams at picturesque Trout Park is the showdown both sides anticipate most.
"We're really looking forward to that series," Larkin senior Jack McCracken said of Thursday's game at 6 p.m. and Saturday's 10 a.m. doubleheader. "We're two pretty evenly matched teams. I've had these games circled on our schedule for awhile."
Elgin (6-10, 4-9) needs one more win to tie last season's victory total. The main area of improvement has been at the plate, where the Maroons have found their hitting stroke after batting .228 as a team in 2013. Through 15 games, Elgin was hitting .298 with 30 extra-basehits in 382 at-bats.
"Offensively, this a talented group that can do some things," Elgin coach David Foerster said. "I'm not surprised. Some guys are really stepping up and we can be a threat one through nine in the order, not just the top half. That's good to see."
Offensive leaders for Elgin include senior Ryan Sitter (.439, 2 HR, 9 RBI), who recently committed to play next year at Elgin Community College, senior Matt Karinski (.429, 6 RBI), senior Kiko Mari (.383,, 4 doubles, 2 HR, 17 RBI) and senior Omar Valadez (.362, 4 doubles, 11 runs)
Defense has been an issue for the Maroons, who split a doubleheader at defending UEC River co-champion St. Charles East last Saturday and lost a 1-run game at Waubonsie Valley on Wednesday, 8-7.
Errors have not helped a pitching staff that is attempting to absorb Sitter's absence in the starting rotation. Elgin's top pitcher has not taken the mound this season due to shoulder soreness. Leading the rotation are Mari (1-2, 4.87 ERA, 21 K, 12 BB, 23 IP), Jon Nelson (2-3, 5.54 ERA, 22 K, 9 BB, 24 IP) and Clay White (2-0, 2.80 ERA, 12 K, 9 BB, 15 IP).
Larkin (6-12, 2-8 Upstate Eight River) enters the series on the heels of a 3-game sweep by UEC co-champ Batavia. Though the Royals lost a pair of well-pitched, 3-2 decisions in that series, they have lost 6 of their last 7.
Larkin is the exact opposite of Elgin in that its pitching has been its strength while the bats have lagged. The team is hitting .230 with only 26 extra-base hits in 461 at-bats.
Meanwhile, the Larkin pitching staff boasts a sparking 2.58 ERA, led by seniors Brayden Royse and Jack McCracken. McCracken's owns a 3-2 record with an ERA of 1.36 to go with 25 strikeouts and 5 walks in 36 innings. Royse's 1-4 record belies his 1.69 ERA in 29 innings. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has 31 strikeouts and has walked 13.
The Larkin rotation actually runs four deep, thanks to juniors Tanner Gardon (0-1, 3.29 ERA) and Will King (2-3, 18 K, 18 BB, 2.01 ERA).
Offensive leaders for the Royals include Royse (.320, 6 doubles, 16 RBI), leadoff hitter Tyler Kalusa (.310 avg., .420 on-base, team-high 12 runs), Jon Lenz (.302, 2 doubles, 4 RBI), and Dan Lenz (6 doubles, 5 RBI).
Larkin has yet to hit a home run in 18 games, but anything can happen when these rivals meet.
"Regardless of sport or records, that's always a tight series," Larkin coach Matt Esterino said. "Everyone is playing hard and everyone wants that series badly. The guys will be up for it. We'll be in line with our pitching and defense ready to go. That's one that you always expect to be tight and well contested."