By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
After their 80-mile bus ride from Joliet to Mundelein, JCA head coach Jared Voss’ Hilltoppers, swept the host Corsairs out of East Suburban Catholic Conference championship contention. The Hilltoppers won for the 15th and 16th consecutive times to improve to 22-3 overall and 12-0, atop the ESCC.
Behind Aidan Tyrell’s two-hit shutout, the Hilltoppers blanked the Corsairs 3-0,in game one.
The Hilltoppers saved the best for last, rallying for two runs in the bottom of the eighth, to walk-off with the nightcap, on a Greg Ziegler hit.
Tyrell, improved to 7-0 on the season, after his 2-hit shutout of the Corsairs . Tyrell struck out 10, in his masterpiece and also had a hit and drove home the only run he would need. Greg Ziegler and Max Cullen drove home insurance runs for the Hilltoppers.
In game two, the Corsairs (12-8, 6-5) did not go down without a fight. Carmel pushed the Hilltoppers into extra innings. In the top of the eighth, the Corsairs grabbed a 2-1 lead. That was their big mistake. Having the Corsairs right where they wanted them, the Hilltoppers tied the game on Tyrell’s third hit of the game. Greg Ziegler followed with his second hit of the game, for the fifth ESCC come-from-behind win in the last two weeks.
On Monday in Mount Greenwood, the last ESCC team that stands in the way of another ESCC championship for the Hilltoppers; the Marist Redhawks (20-6, 10-3), await. On Tuesday, the two clubs will meet again, at 7:15 under the lights, at Route 66 Stadium in Joliet.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Benet 11 Notre Dame 6 Game One
The Redwings (12-10, 8-4) outslugged the Dons on Saturday, behind Paddy Hincks. All Paddy did was have a four-hit day at the plate, with five big Redwing RBI. Nick Hoeppel drove home three runs and Aaron Staehely chipped in with three hits.
The Dons (11-10, 6-6) were led by Kyle Schuster who drove home a pair of Don runs. Frank Giamarusti chipped in with two hits for ND.
Benet 17 Notre Dame 6 Game Two
In game two the Redwings (13-10, 9-4), continued to crush Dons’ pitching, unleashing a 19-hit attack led by catcher Brandon Gorz (four RBI) third baseman Jack Schneider (three RBI) and Andy Prisby ( three RBI). Paddy Hincks had another four-hit day at the plate for an amazing eight-hit afternoon, in the twin-bill. Schneider and Prisby settled for three-hit days, apiece.
The Dons lost for the fourth consecutive game to fall to 11-11 overall and 6-7 in the ESCC.
SPC NONCONFERENCE REPORT
Plainfield East 15 Waubonsie Valley 13
The Bengals (23-3) outslugged the Warriors in Aurora on Saturday. Frank Bryan had four RBI and Dylan Crowder had four hits to lead the Bengals 18-hit attack. Dylan Carlson added three hits and three RBI for the Bengals, while Andy Hoffman chipped in with three hits.
Plainfield North 11, Lemont 9
The Tigers (17-5) outslugged the Indians (14-9) behind Greg Budig. Budig had two doubles, a single and drove home three Tiger runs. Sean Tillmon had three hits, including a home run while, Garret Cook chipped in with two singles and two RBI for North.
Lemont (14-9) was led by Anthony Fornero who had three hits, including two doubles and two RBI. Jack Small and Reuben Hurtato, each drove home a pair of Indian runs.
EDWARDSVILLE TIGER CLASSIC
Chatham Glenwood 4 Lockport 3
For the second consecutive game in the Tiger Classic at Edwardsville the Porter’s lost a heart-breaker in walk- off fashion on Saturday. John Weis led the Porters with a single, double and two RBI while Collin Woulfe chipped in with a pair of hits and drove home a Porter run. Chatham Glenwood’s (21-5) Cole Hembrough’s walk-off double gave the Titans the win
Lockport 3 Highland 2
The Porters (15-9) Jack Verba, slammed the door on Highland (14-9) with 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief to pick up the win. John Weis led the Porter attack with two singles and an RBI while Alex Matinez’s sac-fly drove home the eventual Porter game-winner in the sixth.
WEST SUBURBAN CROSSOVER
Downers Grove South 10 Downers Grove North 2
The District #99 battle went to the WSC Gold leaders from South (15-6) on Saturday. Sam Cogger, had two hits and drove home two Mustang runs while Nick Stacey continued his torrid hitting with three more hits. Jack Blazaevich, continued his hot-hitting with a pair of RBI for DGS. North falls to 8-15 on the season.