For the second year in a row Elk Grove High School will be playing in the Mid-Suburban League title game representing the east division of the conference. The Grenadiers clinched the spot on Monday in a 4-2 victory over Palatine. Last year, Elk Grove defeated Schaumburg in the MSL Championship game.
Against Palatine, Elk Grove (19-8, 12-4) was led by senior pitcher Christian Camacho, who allowed six hits in the complete-game home victory. He also contributed on offense, going 2-4. The Elk Grove’s Brandon Post went 2-3 and A.J. Lorenz doubled. Palatine took the early lead with a run in the top of the second, but Elk Grove responded with two in the bottom of the frame. The Grenadiers tacked on two more in the bottom of the sixth to up their lead to 4-1. Schaumburg was able to score one in the top of the seventh, but Camacho was able to pitch out of the trouble and secure the victory.
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Prospect still has a chance of catching Elk Grove for a tie for the top of the eastern division of the MSL Conference. It plays Rolling Meadows this week and a win would even their record with Elk Grove, but the tiebreaker assures that Elk Grove will play in the MSL Championship.
Hersey 9, Schaumburg 5
On Monday, Hersey (9-17-1) got off to a fast start with three runs in the bottom of the first to open up a lead against visiting Schaumburg, and the offense continued to build throughout the game to earn a 9-5 victory for the Huskies.
Schaumburg (12-14-1) responded with two runs in the top of the second to close the gap to 3-2, but Hersey’s bats stayed hot, as they scored one in the third, two in the fourth and three in the fifth. Hersey starting pitcher Matt Johnson struck out five and scattered nine hits over six innings for the win. The Huskies Campbell White picked up the save. Brendan Beck homered for the Huskies.
Fremd 11, Wheeling 10
Wheeling’s offense opened up a six-run lead on visiting Fremd on Monday, but it wasn’t enough as the Vikings responded to win a wild 11-10 thriller. Wheeling opened the game with three runs in the bottom of the first to take the early lead. Fremd responded with one in the top of the second, but the Wildcats came back with three in the bottom of the second to make it 6-1.
The Vikings responded with three of their own in the top of the third to make it 6-4, but Wheeling again responded with two in the bottom of the third to make it an 8-4 game.
This time it was the Vikings who responded, with six runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead 10-8. Wheeling tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but a run in the top of the sixth for Fremd would be the difference maker.
For Wheeling, Alex Katcherian hit a three-run homer, Jake Jordan had two RBI with a double and Brendan Spillane had three walks.
For Fremd, J.T. Kokderup had a homer, 5 RBI and was the winning pitcher, entering the game in relief. Kaz Higuchi hit a triple and 3 RBI, Ethan Hajdukovic had three hits, including a double and Ian Bohn had three hits.
Hoffman Estates 3, Buffalo Grove 0
The Bison fell to Hoffman Estates 3-0 at home on Monday. Buffalo Grove freshman Jack Vaselaney pitched a strong game for the Bison, going the distance and allowing only six hits and two earned runs. But Hoffman Estates’ Ryan Ward did even better, shutting out the Bison on four hits, striking out four in the complete-game victory.
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter.