Baseball: Grayslake North earns bragging rights over Grayslake Central
Grayslake Central High School varsity baseball player Sean Boban (24) dives towards first base as Grayslake North first baseman Adam Gomski (28) tries to catch the ball to out him during a game at Grayslake Central High School on Friday, May 11, 2012. | Ruthie Hauge ~ Sun-Times Media
Updated: May 11, 2012 11:05PM
Grayslake Central may own the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division baseball championship.
But for now, Grayslake North has city bragging rights, courtesy of Friday’s 9-5 victory on Central’s turf.
North (14-14 overall, 8-8 in the FVC) scored six times in the top of the seventh to break open what had been a 3-2 game.
Central (22-7 overall, 15-2 in the FVC) scored three of its own in the bottom of the frame and had the game-tying run at the plate, but North pitcher Kyle Larocca got Kyle Balling to fan looking to end the game.
“Any time you can get a win against Grayslake Central, it’s a good win for the program,” said North coach Andy Strahan. “Today, the kids executed and made the game simple.”
The Knights got six strong innings from winning pitcher Tom Elias before he faded in the seventh.
“Tom really attacked the batters and got a lot of ground balls (nine ground-ball outs).”
North’s leading hitters were Nick Carmody (3-for-4, RBI), Travis McKenzie (2-for-4, RBI), and Sam Stanfel (2-for-4, RBI).
The six-run seventh was highlighted by pinch-hitter C.J. Bailey’s two-run single.
In the other dugout, Central coach Troy Whalen has seen his team lose twice this week after having won 14 straight.
“This was a rough day for us tonight. We just didn’t come ready to play. Give North credit. They played well.”
Central’s top hitters were Ryan Hamrick (2-for-3, RBI), and John Gurchak (2-for-4).
The teams will play again on Saturday, this time at North.
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