Smith takes command for Conant
Conant's Patrick Smith was masterful while stymying Schaumburg on Monday in Mid-Suburban League baseball at Boomers Stadium in Schaumburg.
Smith, who is headed to Heartland College next year, tossed a 1-hitter to help Conant blank Schaumburg 3-0.
The lefty fanned six and while walking just one. He allowed 3 baserunners and erased one of them on a pickoff. Even more impressive: he had just 4 balls hit to the outfield.
"I was focused up," said Smith, who threw 85 pitches, 59 for strikes. "I have been looking forward to this game all week. I was trying to pitch to contact and let my defense do their job. I was getting ahead in the count and working my curveball in."
Conant coach Derek Fivelson thought that Smith was completely on his game on Monday.
"It is about as good as it gets for him," Fivelson said. "He was tough out there. They key for him was that first-pitch strike, because that breaking ball, I'd call that big-time stuff."
Schaumburg's Brendan Beck was nearly as impressive. The righty allowed just 4 hits and gave up 1 earned run.
"You have to score to win," Schaumburg coach Cal Seely said. "That's the bottom line. I thought Brendan was outstanding for us, but you have to tip your cap to Smith. He pitched a wonderful game."
Conant (12-7, 4-3) gave Smith all the help he needed in the Cougars' first at-bat.
Matt Fauth lined a single right up the middle on the first pitch. He advanced on Jack Lunkes' sacrifice bunt and came home on Anthony Forte's single to center.
"Matt (Fauth) got on with a big hit," Forte said. "Jack (Lunkes) did his job and I just wanted to get that run in."
Fauth and Forte combined as Conant stole a couple of runs in the third. Fauth led off with a walk and went to third on an errant pickoff attempt. With one out, Forte walked, putting runners on the corners.
Forte then attempted to steal and Schaumburg (11-8, 3-4) threw short, hoping to get Fauth at home. But Fauth made a nice hard slide, jarring the ball loose. And as Forte went on to third, the throw went into left field, giving the Cougars a 3-0 lead.
"I was trying to be aggressive on the basepaths," Fauth said. "I saw an opportunity and I took it. I was just trying to get in there at home and he dropped the ball."
Fivelson said Fauth and Forte came up with the key plays for the Cougars on offense.
"They did what they needed to do to help us score some runs," Fivelson said. "It was a great pitchers' duel, but we made some plays when we needed them and Pat (Smith) took us the rest of the way."