Baseball: Barrington's bottom line is too steep for Fremd

It was bottom's up for Barrington.

Led by the four final batters in their lineup, the Broncos banged out 18 hits Thursday in rolling past visiting Fremd 20-3.

The bottom off the Barrington batting order had been struggling, hitting just .250. That all changed this week.

There was a glimpse of what was to come Tuesday in the Broncos' win over Rolling Meadow. Jake Meyer, Johnny Gagne, Jake Horcher and Nick Bogaerts then exploded Thursday.

The group accounted for 10 hits, scored 10 runs and drove in 6 others. They also went 8-for-8 in the first two innings when Barrington tallied 7 runs in each of those innings.

"It was a really great day," said Meyer, who had 3 hits, two of which were doubles and drove in 3 runs. "Everyone felt great. We were just clicking on all cylinders. Everyone up and down the lineup was hitting well, being a part and driving in runs."

Johnny Gagne, who had 3 hits from the No. 9 spot in the batting order said, "We all hot the ball well. It is great when the bottom of the order hits and gets on base, because then it is right to the top."

And waiting at the top for the Broncos are Tyler Acosta and Clark Elliott.

Acosta had 3 hits, including a pair of doubles. He drove in 4 runs and scored 4 runs himself, while Elliott had a double and walked twice.

"My swing has been feeling it," Acosta said. "I came out here today with a different mentality. Recently the bottom of the order has really come through. It is big hits for all of us."

Barrington (8-2-2, 4-0) sent 12 batters to the plate in the first two innings. That resulted in 7 runs in each inning as Barrington put the game away early with a 14-0 lead. Every batter in the Broncos starting lineup had at least 1 hit.

"I am glad our guys came out and swung it today," Barrington coach Pat Wire said. "We were able to produce all over the place. Nothing too fancy. Just looking for solid contact and we were trying to win each at-bat."

Wire says his team's work ethic during this cold and snow spell has paid huge dividends.

"Each day that went by, you are champing at the bit to get on the field," Wire said. "But our preparation to get our guys live at-bats and such had them focused and ready to go. I was pleased to see that produce today."

Fremd (5-5, 1-3), which had not played since last Friday, showed plenty of rust. The Vikings struggled in all phases of the game. Tommy Wingen was a lone bright spot with 2 hits and 2 RBI.

"Bad pitching, bad hitting and bad defense hurt us," Fremd coach Chris Piggott said. "We are not very good right now and we have a lot of work to do. We can be good. We just need to make some adjustments. We are just not doing the things we need to do to put ourselves in a position to win."