By Sean Duncan

MT. PROSPECT - Hersey opened the season with an impressive 7-0 record, but the Huskies’ joyride hit a few potholes last week in the form of three losses. On Wednesday, Hersey got back on track with a convincing 8-4 victory over Prospect in a matchup of two of the top Mid-Suburban League East contenders.

Senior left-hander Ryan Busse made sure the Huskies (11-3, 3-1) reversed their trend by throwing a seven-hit complete game on a cold and windy day. Busse allowed only one earned run, struck out seven, walked one and hit two batters to improve his record to 3-2. At one point in the fourth and fifth innings, he struck out four consecutive batters.

“I was a lot more relaxed today,” said Busse. “Today I just came out ready to pitch.”

Busse made one mistake early, and sophomore third baseman Jack Landwehr (2-for-3, two runs) deposited his offering over the left-field fence to lead off the second inning. After that, it was smooth sailing for Busse until the sixth. That’s when Prospect (9-5, 2-2) loaded up the bases with two outs, and an error on the right fielder allowed all three runs to score.

“This was a big matchup,” said Busse. “It’s always good to get a win at their place. It puts us in good position.”

Hersey put the game away in the fourth following a critical error by Prospect with two outs. It had seemed that Prospect starter John Coen (2-1) had wiggled out of a tight jam after he rolled a routine grounder to the shortstop. Instead, Prospect’s second miscue of the inning loaded up the bases, and shortly after, junior centerfielder Joe Perricone made the Knights pay with a bases-clearing double to center. The Huskies scored four in the inning to make it 7-1.

“I’ve actually been struggling this season at the plate,” said Perricone, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. “I just wanted to hit the ball hard. … It’s a big win for us. That was our biggest win of the season.”

Hersey jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second behind four hits. Jake Knauss singled in a run, and sophomore outfielder Erik Stoltzner doubled in two runs. Stoltzner finished with two doubles and two runs scored. Senior left fielder Domenic Biagini singled and walked twice for the Huskies.

“Our defense is just our Achilles heel,” said Prospect coach Ross Giusti. “I can’t explain it, and it’s cost us a couple games in conference already. For whatever reason, when we make an error, it’s catastrophic.”

Landwehr, who was recently promoted to varsity, was a bright spot for the Knights. Aside from his two hits, he also pitched well in relief. Thomas Kelly had a double for Prospect, and Coen, Ed Gerdes and Peter Bonahoom each had hits. Coen has been on fire for Prospect this season, hitting a robust .650, while Bonahoom has tallied six homers and 26 RBI.