Plainfield North edges St. Laurence Behind Garrity's Complete Game Shut Out

June 7, 2016

By Joey Anderson

CRESTWOOD, IL- Plainfield North takes care of business by the score of 2-0, behind left-hander Tyler Garrity’s one hit performance and Josh Garner’s two RBI double. The win advances Plainfield North to Friday’s state semi-finals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

Plainfield North got all of the offense they would need in the bottom of the first inning. After back-to-back one-out walks, Garner, a St. Louis recruit, drove a double into the right-center field gap, scoring two runs. The early 2-0 lead would hold up for the rest of the game, as left-handed pitcher, Garrity would take care of the rest.

Garrity, the uncommitted senior, stepped up for the Tigers as he threw a complete game one-hit shutout to help the Tigers advance. Garrity, also struck out nine and only walked one in the standout performance.

The Vikings did threaten in the top of the seventh due to a lead-off walk by senior, Illinois-Chicago commit, Tom Farrell. The next hitter, catcher Anthony Rios, took a strike on a 3-1 count. Farrell, thinking it was ball four, wandered off of first-base and before he realized it was a strike, it was too late. The Tiger’s catcher, Jake Dunham, threw a strike to first and first baseman Josh Heckman tagged Farrell out, for first out in the inning. The play changed the momentum of the inning and the game. St. Laurence was potentially looking at a first and second, nobody out situation before Farrell was picked off first. A groundout and a strike to the next two hitters would seal the deal and send the Tigers to Joliet for the first time in school history.

Senior, uncommitted left-handed pitcher, Anthony Robles, settled in after giving up the two runs in the first inning and gave the St. Laurence (31-9) offense a chance. Robles did not allow a run after the first inning. He went a total of five innings, scattering five hits, two runs, struck out three and walked four.

In the sixth inning, Robles gave way to Angel Sandoval, who was able to get out of a bases loaded, nobody out situation. Sandoval, immediately induced a shallow fly ball to left field. Zach Verta the left-fielder made the catch and Plainfield North decided to tag at third and test him arm. Verta was up to the challenge, throwing a strike to the catcher, who tagged him out on a close play at the plate. The double play kept the game within striking distance at 2-0 and allowed Sandoval to escape the jam.