By Sean Duncan

 

HIGHLAND PARK - As the team’s ace, Highland Park right-hander Tyler Goldstein has typically drawn the toughest opponents and, in several games, hasn’t gotten much run and/or defensive support. Which would explain why Goldstein entered Wednesday’s Central Suburban League North matchup against rival Glenbrook North with a losing record despite holding a sub-1 ERA.

 

Although he wasn’t his sharpest, Goldstein got plenty of run support and pitched a complete game despite tweaking his back during Highland Park’s 8-5 victory over the Spartans on a brutally cold and windy day.

 

“I strained my back in the first inning,” said Goldstein, who is signed at Johns Hopkins University. “The adrenaline helped me work through it. … It was great today – it’s always easier to pitch when you get runs early.”

 

Goldstein (4-4) went the distance, allowing eight hits and one run in the final three innings. He struck out four and walked five.

 

“He wasn’t even expecting to pitch today,” said Highland Park coach Eddie Pieczynski. “He came out and battled through it. …Tyler hasn’t gotten a lot of run support this season.”

 

Both teams entered Wednesday’s game tied for second place in conference behind leader Maine West. After Glenbrook North (14-8, 7-5) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, defending champion Highland Park (14-10-1, 8-4) needed only one hit – a run-scoring single by right-fielder Josh Lipnick (2-for-3, 2 RBI, run) – to take a 4-1 advantage in the bottom half of the inning. Glenbrook North starting junior right-hander Alex Hermeling walked three, hit one batter and the Spartans committed one error in the first inning.

 

The Spartans rallied for two runs with two outs in the second to make it 4-3 on Scott Sutton’s two-run double. But Highland Park put the game out of reach in the fourth, scoring three runs behind three hits and two errors, and all after two outs. By that time, Goldstein had found his rhythm on the mound.

 

Goldstein’s sophomore brother, Jason Goldstein, went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI to lead the offense.

 

“This was a big win for us,” said Jason Goldstein, who is one of the top sophomore prospects in the state.  “Especially them being our rivals, it was nice to get the win.”

 

Glenbrook North was led by Sutton, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Adam Robinson added two runs and a single for the Spartans.