Prospect Walks-Off Against Elk Grove In Extra Innings

April 12, 2017

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Prospect 1, Elk Grove 0 (9 innings)

MOUNT PROSPECT, IL – Prospect junior starting pitcher and three-hole hitter, Ryan Howe, did it all for the Knights in their 1-0 walk-off win in extra innings over Elk Grove.

Howe not only got the win on the mound throwing all nine, shutout innings, he also doubled to lead off the bottom of the ninth and eventually scored the winning run for Prospect (5-5). Howe lined the double over the left-fielders head and made contact with the first baseman as he was heading for second. The umpire rewarded Howe third base due to obstruction. Elk Grove (4-6) chose to walk the bases loaded bringing Ryan Roggeman to plate. Roggeman hit a groundball to Elk Grove third baseman Joe Lopez, a Wisconsin Whitewater commit. Lopez fielded it cleanly and fired a strike to home but the throw could not be handled and Howe slid in safely for the walk-off win.

The Grenadiers out hit the Knights 5-4 on the day with scoring chances coming at a minimum for both teams. Elk Grove had their best chance to score in the top of the sixth inning. Ryan Uehara led off with a double and Austin Brown followed with a two-strike bunt single. With runners on second a third and the infield drawn in AJ Navarro grounded out to shortstop. Uehara the runner at third held his ground at third, Brown however, anticipated Uehara would be going and took off for third. In the end, after the force out at first base, Prospect threw behind Brown and tagged him out trying to retreat back to second base on a bang-bang play. Elk Grove three-hole hitter, Lopez, followed with a line out to center field to end the threat.

Both starting pitchers were a big reason for the limited scoring chances. Howe went all nine innings on less than 100 pitches, threw 74 % of his pitches for strikes and did not walk a single hitter. He consistently worked the bottom of the strike zone and went to his breaking ball often, in any count. Elk Grove started sophomore Xander Rojahn who was equally impressive in his no decision. Rojahn went seven innings, scattered two hits, no runs, struck out five and walked two. Rojahn ran his fastball up to 86 mph and like Howe, went to his breaking ball often and in any count.

Howe finished the day going 2-for-4 with a double. John Morgan chipped in with two hits of his own for Prospect.

For more in-depth notes from the game - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog later.