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Baseball: Kuffel's ninth-inning single lifts Crystal Lake South

The defending Class 4A state champion Crystal Lake South baseball team began its 2018 season Saturday right where they left off in 2017.

The Gators won in celebratory fashion again thanks to Blake Kuffel's walk off RBI single in the ninth that edged Richmond-Burton 6-5 in extras.

Kuffel (2-for-4, RBI), who knocked in Steven Siavelis from second after Siavelis bunted his way on to start the inning, capped off a big comeback for the Gators (1-0). South, who outhit the Rockets 10-9, trailed 5-1 entering their half of the sixth but plated 3 runs in the inning and 1 in the seventh. Kyle Hetherington (double) and Beiker Fuentes each had 2 hits while Trevor Keegan had 2 RBI.

Fuentes, who bunted Siavels over to second in the ninth, earned the win in relief with 2 strikeouts, 1 walk on 15 pitches.

Harvest wins 2: The Lions improved to 3-0 with an offensive outburst to start the day against Midland, where they plated 13 runs in the first inning during a 23-0 win in 5 innings. Of Harvest's 18 hits, Dylan Lockwood had 3 on the day to lead the Lions, to go with 5 RBI. Jack Nohava, who had 2 doubles, posted 2 hits, as well as Grant Young (2 2B), Brock Wilken (2 RBI), Noah Martinez (2 RBI) and Drew Lewis (2B, 2 RBI). Against Abingdon/Avon, Harvest won 10-1 on 10 hits as Young doubled and totaled 3 hits to go with 2 RBI. Dayne Frederick and Zach Pawelek (2B, 3 RBI) each had 2 hits. Wilken earned the win on the mound for the Lions, where he threw 48 pitches and struck out 7 on 1 hit and 2 walks.

Marmion 18, Jacksonville 1 (5 inn.): The Cadets torched the Crimsons for 9 runs during the first 3 innings and posted a 9-run fifth to get a nonconference win. Leadoff hitter Jake Carlson cranked out 3 hits and scored 5 runs while Jack Molenhouse, Chase Stanke (2B, RBI, 2 BB), Nick Talarico (3B, 4 RBI) and Bryce Burton (2B, 3B, 2 RBI) all behind him had 2 hits each. Ryan Fletcher got the win in 5 innings, where he pitched a 4-hitter with 1 run (none earned), 6 strikeouts and 1 walk on 69 pitches.

CL Central 7, Burlington Central 4: The Rockets couldn't come away with a nonconference win in Crystal Lake, as the Tigers put up 2 in the fourth and 3 in the fifth after BC led 2-1 after 3 innings. Ryan Knowlton led Burlington with 2 hits and 2 RBI while Colton Wallace went 2-for-4 with a double.

Kaneland 3, Washington 2: A 2-run third was the trick for the Knights (1-0) in a nonconference pitchers' duel. With 2 baserunners on in the third, Nik Panico provided the winning runs when he reached on an error at second, which allowed Angel Acevedo (1-for-2, BB) and Luke Gomes (1-for-3) to score. Only 1 of Kaneland's runs were earned and Alex Buchanan (3.0 IP, 1H, 4K, 5BB), Zach Sikon (2.0 IP, 3H, 1ER, 1K, 3 BB) and Panico (2IP, 2H, 1ER, 1K) shut down Washington for just 6 hits on 2 earned.

Freeport Aquin 2, Westminster Christian 1: In Game 1 of a nonconference doubleheader, the Warriors (1-1) spotted the Bulldogs runs in the second and third innings and had just 3 hits during this 1-run affair. Matthew Schulenburg knocked in Westminster's only run in the fifth. In the loss, Andrew Kurcz was solid allowing just 1 earned run on 8 hits with 10 punch outs and no walks in 5.2 innings pitched. In Game 2, Westminster (1-2), who jumped out to a 5-2 lead after four innings, saw 6-4 lead evaporate in the seventh when it surrendered 3 runs in the top frame to lose 7-6. Schulenburg (2B, RBI), Nathen Martinez (2B, RBI), JT Stoll (2B) and Theron Dorsey each had 2 hits while Kurcz and Mason Runkel scored 2 runs, each.

Ridgewood 14, St. Edward 7: The Wave (1-2) dropped their second straight game in as many days to the Rebels in Metro Suburban Red action despite a double and 3 RBI from Jake Middleton. Ethan Palomino (1-for-2, RBI) who suffered the loss on the mound, also had 2 walks and a double. Matthew Schimbke went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI for St. Edward, who were outhit 12-5.

Elk Grove 6, Bartlett 5 (8 inn.): The Hawks (0-1) watched a 3-run lead in the seventh slip away and Bartlett later lost on an error in the eighth to give the Grenaiders a walk off win. Bartlett totaled just 5 hits as Andrew Fehr, Jonah Medina and Jacob Chowanec each had 1 RBI.

Wheeling 6, Elgin 1: Robert Bartlett (1-for-3, RBI) accounted for all of the Maroons (1-1) offense in this nonconference loss. The Wildcats scattered 10 hits to Elgin's 1 and used a 4-run fifth to break things open.

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