Wednesday May 19

 

By Drake Skleba

 

In Class 2A State Tournament Regional Semifinal action on Wednesday:

 

No.1-ranked Harrisburg (35-0) is located not very far from the New Madrid, Missouri Fault Line. The New Madrid Fault is a seismic geological area prone to earthquake activity. In 1811, a massive earthquake hit the area.

 

In the Bulldogs’ Class 2A Harrisburg Regional semifinal, Metropolis (Massac County) starting pitcher Tyler Sommor was well on his way to sending massive shock-waves throughout the state of Illinois. Sommor had totally shutdown the top-ranked Bulldogs, taking a no-hitter into the fifth.

 

With two out in the Harrisburg fifth, in a scoreless tie, Bulldog senior catcher Noah King ended Sommor’s no-hit bid and singled in the first run of the game as Harrisburg went on to defeat Massac County 3-0. Harrisburg will meet the winner of today’s other semifinal battle between Anna-Jonesboro (24-9) and Carterville on Saturday.

 

Senior SS Reid Roper and junior 3B Keelin Rasch drove in insurance runs in the sixth and Bullldog freshman RHP Ryne Roper improved to 9-0 on the season with three scoreless innings in relief of starting pitcher Rasch.

 

Lisle (23-9) survived Westmont’s bid for a stunner, holding off the Sentinels 5-4 in eight innings in a Class 2A Aurora Christian Regional semifinal. Clemson-bound RHP Jon Surber (7-1) fired three scoreless innings in relief to pick up the win for the Lions. Lion freshman SS Steven Accetturo singled home the Lion game-winner in the bottom of the eighth.

 

No. 15 IVC (28-5) defeated Class 2A Minonk (Fieldcrest) Regional hosts, Minonk (Fieldcrest) 7-2 behind a complete game win for senior RHP Drasen Johnson. Junior Dan Semtner continued his hot-hitting with a pair of hits and three RBI for the Grey Ghosts.

 

The Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division champs Immaculate Conception (26-10) crushed Timothy Christian 14-4 in five innings in the Class 2A Walther Lutheran Regional Semifinal. Knight sophomore LF Dan Ribando hit a grand slam and drove in six Knight runs. Junior catcher Jose Godinez added four RBI as the Knights move on to Saturday’s Regional Championship Game between the winner of today’s semifinal between host Walther Lutheran and Luther North.

 

Pittsfield improved to 31-4 and Saukees starting pitcher Jordan Cawthon to 11-0, as Cawthon no-hit New Berlin 4-0 in a Class 2A Pittsfield Regional Semifinal.Cawthon struck out 10 and had a pair of hits as the Saukees will meet the winner of today’s semifinal between Pleasant Plains and Piasa Southwestern, on Saturday.

 

Rock Island Alleman’s 6-foot-6 RHP Keelin Prince fired a two-hit shutout as the Pioneers defeated Rock Falls 4-0 in a Port Byron (Riverdale) Class 2A Regional Semifinal. Rock Island Alleman (17-19) will face Morrison (22-5) in the Championship Game on Saturday. Morrison defeated the hosts 3-2 in the second semifinal.

 

 

In regular season action on Wednesday …

 Lemont’s head coach Joe Rodeghero won his 500^th victory of his illustrious career as his Indians defeated TF North 10-1 in a South Suburban Blue battle on Wednesday. Lemont (20-8; 14-3) was led by red-hot senior catcher Pat Driscoll, who was 4-for-4 with three RBI.

 

Rodegehero led Joliet Catholic Academy to the Class 2A State Championship in 1994, defeating downstate Morton 10-0. Rodegehro also had a successful coaching stint at Providence. In 2009 Rodegheros’ Indians were co-champs in the South Suburban Conference Blue Division.

 

No. 5 St. Charles North (29-4; 21-3) defeated South Elgin 5-3 and wrapped up the Upstate 8 Conference championship. Senior Chase Williams broke up a 3-3 tie in the top of the seventh with a clutch two-RBI single. North Star 3B/RHP Kevin Borst drove in a pair of runs and nailed down the save for winning pitcher junior LHP Phil Warner (6-0), by striking out the final Storm hitter of the game …Waubonsie Valley (23-8;19-4) scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Larkin 9-8 on Wednesday.

 

No. 9 Warren (25-9) lost for its fifth straight game to Vernon Hills 5-0 in a North Suburban crossover game on Wednesday. Vernon Hills ace Scott Kempel allowed four-hits over 6 1/3 innings for the Cougars. Cougar SS Chris Argianas had two hits, including a double and two RBI for Vernon Hills which finished in second place in the North Suburban Conference Prairie Division to champion Lakes.

 

No. 13 St. Laurence (28-6) was stunned by Lincoln-Way North 2-1 on Wednesday night at North. Lincoln-Way North (19-11) starting and winning pitcher Jake Harper allowed five hits and a run in leading the Phoenix past the Vikings. Phoenix closer Matt Utsch picked up the save for Harper fanning the final two Viking hitters in the seventh.

 

No. 14 Minooka (27-7; 16-4) blasted Plainfield East 15-5. Indian 1B Mike Foltynewicz had three hits and drove in five for Minooka. Junior RHP Joe Pershey improved to 8-2 with the win.

 

No. 18 Lincoln-Way Central (21-8) fell to Brother Rice 5-4 in a nonconference game on Wednesday. Brother Rice (23-10) was led by Porsche Player of the Week senior SS Kevin Koziol. Koziol hammered his ninth homer of the season for the Crusaders. 6-foot-6 senior RHP Brian Baldwin (4-2) picked up the win on the mound for Brother Rice.

 

In the Mid-Suburban East, Hersey (24-8; 12-4) defeated Elk Grove 7-1 behind senior LHP Ryan Busse (6-2).Busse fired a complete game at the Grenadiers. The lone Gren run was unearned. Senior Jake Knauss had a pair of hits and drove home two for the Huskies and junior Chris Polinski had two ribbies as well for the Huskies, who will play Fremd (17-12) in the Mid-Suburban League Championship Game, Saturday at Fremd at 11. The PBR’s Sean Duncan will be in Palatine for all the action.

 

In the Central Suburban League: Maine South (20-8; 13-3) wrapped up the South Division crown with a 3-2 win over Niles West.

 

Highland Park (19-9; 12-4) blasted Maine West 9-2 to grab a share of the CSL North title and sweep their season-ending series with Maine West (19-9; 12-4). Highland Park senior RHP Tyler Goldstein went all the way for the Giants and improves to 6-4 for the season.