Baseball: WW South raises its game against Glenbard East
Wheaton Warrenville South's second-half turnaround reached a new level.
"I'd like to think we can play better," said Tigers baseball coach John Scherrman, "but I don't know if we can."
Thursday's 9-0 victory over Glenbard East in the Class 4A St. Charles North regional semifinals was that impressive, and it pushes the Tigers into a 3 p.m. Saturday title game to face the host North Stars.
It was an all-around priceless performance, starting with Matt Scherrman's 4-hitter with 6 strikeouts on the mound and continuing with a 13-hit outburst at the plate, two double plays in the field and a remarkable catch made by right fielder Phil Oddo.
After losing eight straight in April, No. 10 WW South (20-14) has won 12 of its last 15 heading into its matchup against the second-seeded North Stars. The Tigers took two of three in their DuKane Conference series in the midst of the hot streak.
"We had a little stretch where we struggled, but the thing was to keep being good teammates and stick with it," Matt Scherrman said. "Eventually we got one and we've been hot ever since. We just had to stick together and keep playing good baseball every day."
After Matt Brennan drove in a first-inning run off Glenbard East starting pitcher Jacob Bailey, the Tigers exploded for 5 runs on 4 hits and 2 errors in the third inning. Ryan Obrist singled in 2 runs and Brad Novak had an RBI single.
WW South added on in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Joe Adamek and Oddo drove in runs.
The seventh-seeded Rams (23-13) managed hits from four-year starting catcher Bret Bushka, sophomore Joe Hamilton, Kevin Stallings and Jason Cousineau. In an 89-pitch complete game, Scherrman walked one and allowed no runners to reach third base.
"I couldn't be more proud of this group," said Glenbard East coach Joel Pelland. "The outcome isn't what we anticipated or what we wanted, but these guys are a great group."
Twitter: @kevin_schmit