By Drake Skleba
Senior Writer

LISLE – As she has all spring, Mother Nature once again showed her dark side, this time at Lisle Community Parkon Friday night. In an Interstate 8 Conference crossover battle between Herscher and Lisle, darkness forced the suspension of a 1-1 game after eight thrilling innings of I-8 baseball. Herscher (South) and Lisle (North) are the preseason favorites to win their respective divisions of the I-8.

The game featured superb pitching performances from both starting pitchers. Herscher’s senior lefty Jimmy Brandt went the distance allowing one run and seven hits. Brandt struck out five.

“It was a real treat to go pitch-for-pitch with Alex Ventrella,” said Brandt. “Emotions got really hot in the dugouts. We have to play that way against Lisle. They are a very good baseball team. I threw the ball well tonight and got big outs when I had to.”

Lisle’s senior lefty Alex Ventrella went 7 2/3 innings, allowing no earned runs and six hits. Ventrella struck out a career-high 12 Tiger batsmen.

“I really pitched well tonight,” said Ventrella. “Herscher is an outstanding team. … The 12 strikeouts were a career high for me.”

Herscher (7-0-2; 0-0-1) picked up an unearned run in the top of the first. A pair of Lisle defensive miscues led to Herscher senior catcher Evan Regez, who had singled, to score the lone Herscher run of the game.

Lisle (2-3-1; 0-0-1) tied things up at 1 on an RBI single from Lion senior right fielder Adam Greco, in the bottom of the fourth. The score remained the same until MN forced her end to the contest.

Herscher was led by their senior catcher Regez and senior second baseman Matt Guimond, who each had a pair of hits for the Tigers.

“I really felt it was time to suspend the game,” said Herscher head coach Eric Regez. “Both teams had chances to win this game. Both pitchers were excellent. We had a couple of big pick-off plays that got us out of trouble. Jimmy pitched great for us tonight. It was just a great game.”

Lisle’s junior shortstop Cliff Krause had two hits and a walk to lead the Lions.

“We have a big rivalry with Herscher,” said Krause. “They don’t like us and we don’t like them. Every time we play each other it’s a war.”

The two clubs will finish this suspended battle later in the season.

“Alex was outstanding on the mound for us tonight,” said Lisle head coach Pete Meyer. “We made too many mental and physical errors in this game. Thanks to Alex for keeping us in this one.”