Off-season workouts and playing at a snappy pace have helped the ninth-ranked Stevenson Patriots and their senior center-fielder and leadoff man Steve Clancy to start the season with an impressive rush.
Stevenson improved to 6-1 Tuesday with an 8-2 victory over Deerfield (3-3). Clancy singled three times, doubled off the left-field fence, scored three times and had two RBIs.
“His batting average was just under .500 going into the game,” said Patriots coach Bob Mackey, “so going 4 for 4 makes him well over .500. I know he’s stronger from his time he spent in the weight room. He’s getting more extra-base hits.”
The first three batters in Stevenson’s batting order–Clancy, second baseman Mike Jaroscak, and catcher Jeff Skibitsky–shared six RBIs and totaled eight of 11 hits off highly regarded 6-foot-6-inch Deerfield pitcher Dan Saken. The seven-inning game was reeled off in a snappy 1 hour 35 minutes.
“I love a fast-paced game, and we’re a fast-paced team,” said Clancy. “When we play fast, it means our pitcher is throwing strikes the way Mike Corcoran did today.”
More Top Picks 10 Best Wraparound Sunglasses For Cataracts
Clancy batted .397 last year after a slow start.
“In other years, I didn’t get hot until the end of the season,” he said. “This winter, after football season, I hit in the cage. It’s helped my timing. I’m able to pick up the curve sooner and tell the difference between pitches.”
Hinsdale Central 6, Montini 2: Dave Pequet had three hits, including a two-run homer, and three RBIs for No. 2 Hinsdale (1-1).
Lockport 11, Bradley 0: Jeff Stanek went 2 for 2 with three runs scored and a two-run homer to lead No. 3 Lockport (3-0).
Clemente 1, West Chicago 0: Victor Diaz tripled home Marcos Calderon in the seventh for the game-winner for No. 7 Clemente.
Burlington Central 6, Genoa-Kingston 4: Aaron Jossart struck out 12 for Burlington Central (3-0) in the Big Northern.
Evanston 10, Hersey 7: Jason Edgecomb and Andy Horne each drove in a pair of runs for Evanson (2-3).
Grayslake 5, Woodstock 3: Nate Brewer had three hits, including a double, and three RBIs to lead Grayslake (3-4).
Jacobs 5, Streamwood 1: Scott Johnson went the distance, striking out 15 and allowing one earned run for Jacobs (2-0).
Libertyville 16, Glenbrook North 0: Lukas McKnight and Bill Oakley each had three hits to lead Libertyville (5-2).
Maine East 12, St. Gregory 1: Ted Marko won his third game of the season and had two hits and three RBIs for Maine East (4-2).
Maine West 4, Elgin 2: Nick Freeman struck out 10 and allowed one hit, and Joel Petrancosta’s two-run double in the bottom of the sixth was the game-winner for Maine West (2-3).
Niles North 7, Mather 4: Niles North (3-2) scored six runs in the first inning and Dan Gooris went the distance.
Niles West 11, De La Salle 4: Jason Angelilli went 3 for 3 with two RBIs to lead Niles West (2-0).
Warren 3, Carmel 2: Jake Hanson tossed a two-hitter and Tim Zorich singled and doubled for Warren (5-3).
Wauconda 3, Crystal Lake South 2: Chris Gertmann had two hits and scored two runs for Wauconda (3-4).