By Drake Skleba

 

LISLE - Lisle senior Jon Surber is healthy again. In his second start of the season, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior right-hander fired a complete-game gem at previously undefeated Wilmington (9-1; 0-1) on Friday. The Clemson-bound Surber threw a four-hit shutout, striking out 11 to lead Lisle to a 5-0 win over Wilmington in an Interstate 8 Conference opener for both clubs. Surber closed the game with a flourish by striking out the last four Wildcat hitters.

 

Lisle (8-3; 1-0) didn’t waste any time, sending nine men to the plate in the first inning against Wilmington ace Jake Van Duyne (3-1), scoring four times. Lisle senior right fielder Jon Kolosky, hit a booming two-run double to the gap in left-center, scoring freshman shortstop Steve Accetturo, who had doubled and Surber who had walked. Junior first baseman Nick Thome, singled home Kolosky and the Lions added a fourth tally on a sacrifice fly by senior centerfielder Alec Blechschmidt (1-for-2, RBI).

 

“We really came out stickin’ today,” said Kolosky. “To score four runs in the first inning and with Jon Surber on the mound, there was no way we were going to lose today. It felt great to get us started with the big first inning double. Wilmington is a good team. I really think we are going to have a great season.”

 

Surber also contributed in a big way at the plate. He launched his fourth home run of the year in the second inning to conclude the scoring in the game. Surber finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks.

 

“I threw pretty well tonight. I threw hard and had good command of my pitches,” said Surber, who improved to 2-0 on the season. ”This was a great team win. I really wanted to win this game. I hit the ball well. I wanted to do everything I could to help my team win.”

 

Lisle had 10 hits on the night. Thome had a pair of hits with the big ribbie in the first inning. Freshman Accetturo was on base twice, with the first-inning double and a walk.

 

“It was a great game. It was great to beat Wilmington and win our conference opener,” said Thome. “It’s great to be out there when Jon pitches. We feel we will win when Jon is on the mound for us.”

 

Lisle head coach Pete Meyer was extremely happy with his team’s performance.

 

“Jon (Surber) had complete command of his pitches; he was just outstanding,” said Meyer. “To come out and throw four runs on the board in the first inning against Van Duyne was outstanding. Jon Kolosky had a big two-run double and Nick Thome, who has really hit the ball well for us thus far, had a big RBI single in the big first inning.”

 

Wilmington was led by Van Duyne, who had a pair of hits, including a double to leadoff the game for the Wildcats. Centerfielder Cort Scheel had a double in three trips and third baseman Steve Liarematis was 1-for-3 for Wilmington.

 

“Surber is really tough,” said Wilmington head coach Chad Farrell. “Surber really shut us down. Jake (Van Duyne) really battled for us after the first inning. Jake never really had his best stuff tonight. It’s tough losing the opener, but I think we will be right in the I-8 South race this year.”