By Drake Skleba

CRYSTAL LAKE – Crystal Lake South defeated Grayslake Central 12-2 in five innings on Monday to clinch at least a share of the Fox Valley Conference-Valley Division championship, the Gators’ first since 1996.

Prairie Ridge (23-9; 15-3) defeated Cary-Grove 2-0 on Monday in Crystal Lake and can grab a share of the Valley Division title with a win against Cary-Grove (20-11; 13-5) in Cary on Wednesday. Crystal Lake South improved to 25-9, 16-3 in the Valley.

“We did our part. Now PR has to beat Cary-Grove at Cary-Grove on Wednesday again,” said Crystal Lake South head coach Brian Bogda. “This is just outstanding to win our first conference title since 1996 here at home. What a great win.”

The entire Gator Nation poured on the field with digital cameras in hand and took pictures of their conquering heroes for about 10 minutes after the game.

Grayslake Central (23-8; 16-3) had wrapped up the Fox Division of the FVC a week ago, and what was supposed to be a major collision between FVC divisional leaders, turned out to be a paltry skirmish.

The Gators spotted Grayslake Central a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Gator starting pitcher, junior lefty Tyler Parquette, faced four batters and was replaced by junior right-hander Tyler Hall. Hall plunked the first Ram hitter he faced, Ryan Fontana, to force home the first run of the game and then retired Sean Boban on a fielder’s choice, allowing the second Ram run to score.

Hall (7-1) would go on to retire the next 10 Ram hitters through the fourth.

The Gators scored three times in their half of the first to take the lead 3-2. Junior left fielder Jake Bigos hammered his first home run of 2012 to get the Gators on the board. Bigos would go on to have a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate.

“We had a rough start but we quickly got it together and picked up the win,” said Bigos. “I tried to stay ahead in the count and looked for fastballs to hit.”

 A Ram miscue and a sac-fly by Gator Nick Severino (1-for-1, 2 RBI, SF) put the Gators up to stay at 3-2. The Gators would go to score one in the second, two in the third, five in the fourth and Bigos would mercifully score the game-winner on a Ram miscue hit off the bat of Gator senior Tyler Salm.

Gator senior Nick Martin had a perfect 3-for-3 day with a big two-run double, to cap off the five-run Gator fourth.

“I was really happy with my performance at the plate today. It was especially gratifying to come in this division championship-clinching game,” said Martin. “We are playing really well right now and I think we can make a strong run to Joliet.”

Gator junior Max Meitzler continued his torrid hitting with two more hits and an RBI. Gator senior ace RHP Jordan Van Dyck (9-1) had a perfect day at the plate with a single, walk and a HBP.