Baseball: Hinsdale South knocks off Lyons

Updated: May 10, 2012 8:14PM

The late season nonconference contest between the new West Suburban Gold champion (Hinsdale South) and current Silver co-leader (Lyons) was supposed to be much closer.

Perhaps Lyons had its eye on a bigger foe Friday afternoon when Oak Park-River Forest travels to Western Springs for a key battle between Silver teams. Lyons did not use one of its pitchers from its usual rotation and gave up three runs in the second inning as No. 10 Hinsdale South won 9-5 on Thursday at Lyons.

Villanova-bound catcher Emmanuel Morris hit his second home run of the season, a two-run shot, to put the Hornets (23-4-1) ahead 6-2 in the top of the fifth inning. Hinsdale South, which is unbeaten in its last 16 games, took a 4-1 lead in the second inning when the Hornets scored three runs in the inning off starter Scott Galka, who pitched three innings. Lyons (16-9-1) used four pitchers in the game.

Morris’ only previous home run this season came in a 21-3 win over Proviso West April 5.

“It’s a good feeling,” Morris said. “It’s almost like we forgot how to lose. There is a lot of confidence on the team.”

The Hornets have not lost since suffering a 4-0 defeat against Downers Grove South April 7 in the second game of a doubleheader. The run includes an 8-8 tie against Oak Park-River Forest April 19.

Hinsdale South coach Paul Hoel said he not only told his team about Lyons leading the Silver, but also reminded them that Lyons is the defending Class 4A state champion.

“I knew it would be a challenge,” Hoel said. “They are a good team. They are well coached and the play well.”

The Hornets raised their record to 6-0-1 against Silver teams this season and host Downers Grove North May 17.

Lyons’ 5-2 loss to OPRF on Wednesday tied the Silver race between Lyons and York, which have three conference losses each. OPRF has five losses in the conference. Lyons will send senior right-hander Matt Robare (5-1) to the mound against the Huskies Friday. Lyons plays a doubleheader at York at 10 a.m. Saturday followed by the final game of the series at home at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Lyons junior third baseman Keith Lehmann hit his sixth home run of the season in the fourth inning, a solo shot over the left field fence, to score Lyons’ second run. Lyons added one more run in the sixth and two in the seventh off Kyle Nelson, who went the distance for the win and struck out four while allowing one walk.

“They beat us today,” Lehmann said. “They got a lot of hits (15) and got guys on base, and put them in.”

Nelson allowed one run in the first when Lehmann (2-for-3, two RBI) drove in Evan Booth with an RBI single after Booth hit a leadoff double. Nelson did not allow another leadoff batter to reach until Mitchell Van Koevering’s single to start the sixth inning. Van Koevering would eventually score from third on a double play.

Lyons threatened in the seventh by getting the first two batters on base. Tom Prescott ended the scoring with a two-run single to score Matt Robare and pinch-runner Mason Hunter.

Hinsdale South defeated Addison Trail 2-1 Tuesday to clinch a tie for the Gold title with second place Downers South. The Hornets’ next win, perhaps against Proviso East Saturday, would clinch an outright conference title.

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