Libertyville shortstop Jimmy Govern was going through a slump.
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He was hitting the ball hard, but just right at defenders. The senior turned things around on Friday, going 3-for-3 with a triple, three RBIs and a run scored in leading the Wildcats (7-6) to a 5-2 victory over Wauconda (6-6) in Libertyville.
“I was staying with my approach. Looking up the middle,” Govern said. “The last couple of games I was swinging out of my shoes. Trying to do too much.”
Libertyville coach Jim Schurr figured things would change for his star batter.
“Jimmy has been hitting the ball hard, but it was right at people,” Schurr said. “Today it was up and over people.”
Libertyville opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, when Govern laced a two-out triple over the left fielder’s head. Junior first baseman Tim Calamari drove Govern in with a base hit to center. With the score tied 1-1, Govern knocked in two runs on a third-inning single. His fifth-inning hit plated junior centerfielder Riley Lees (2-for-4, two runs scored), who led off the frame with a triple. The Wildcats had 11 hits in the game.
“Both Jimmy and Riley really helped us go today,” Schurr said.
While the Libertyville offense was clicking, starting pitcher Ben Kimpler (1-0) cruised to his first win. The 6-foot-6 junior fireballer struck out eight Bulldogs. He allowed two runs — one unearned — on four hits and walked three over his 6 1/3 innings.
Kimpler struggled early, walking the first two hitters.
“He settled down and found his release point. He attacked the zone,” Schurr said. “He’s a good young pitcher that we’re hoping for big things from.”
“I got into a good groove and felt comfortable,” Kimpler said. “I felt like I could rear back and blow it by most of their hitters. Then I threw off-speed to get them to reach out in front.”
Libertyville junior Matt Friello came on to get the final two outs to post his first save of the season.
Perlman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @markdavidperlma