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.”
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The first three batters in Stevenson’s batting order–Clancy, Mike Jaroscak and 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.”
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 (4-4).
Bloom 8-7, Rich Central 4-1: Brian Carter drove in three runs in the first game and Ryan Kvasnika struck out nine and allowed just three hits over six innings for Bloom (3-1)
Brother Rice 13, Bogan 0: Three pitchers combined for a no-hitter and Pat Fahey scored three runs for Brother Rice (3-0).
Englewood 12, Hyde Park 4: Englewood (1-2, 1-0 in the Public Southeast) scored five runs in the first inning and Jamie Mitchell allowed three hits and struck out 11 to earn the victory.
Hirsch 11, Tilden 1: Darnell Pendelton struck out the side in four of the five innings he pitched and finished with 14 strikeouts to earn the victory for Hirsch (3-1, 1-0 Public Southeast). Pendelton also added a solo homer.
Marist 15, Thornton 2: Pat O’Rourke and Pete Amelio each had two-run homers to lead Marist (3-2).
Romeoville 10, Plainfield 8: Eric Mays fanned 15 and added three hits, two RBIs, two runs scored and three stolen bases for Romeoville (1-0).
St. Laurence 4, Joliet 3: Pinch-hitter Pat Carroll delivered a two-out triple to score Brian Fortier with the winning run in the bottom of the sixth for St. Laurence (3-2).
Seneca 11, Somonauk 1: Mike Booble had three hits and two RBIs and John Spicer added a homer and three RBIs for Seneca (2-3).
West Aurora 11, Geneva 6: Matt Tattersall drove in two runs as West Aurora (2-0) rolled.