By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
Twenty-four hours earlier on Plainfield’s North Side, Plainfield Central head varsity baseball coach John Rosner’s, Wildcats, had been no-hit and beaten 4-1, by Brady Miller and Plainfield North.
“What a difference a day makes. 24 little hours”
To quote from Dinah Washington’s 1962 hit, Rosner’s Wildcats, in downtown Plainfield on Wednesday, responded 24 hours later.
Scoring eight runs in the first inning, Plainfield Central (8-4, 1-1) avenged Tuesday’s loss in style, routing Plainfield North 10-1.
Junior right-hander Chris Conrad, improved to 3-1 on the young season, allowing just three hits and a run, in 4 1/3 innings of work.
“After pitching out of trouble in the top of the first inning, the big eight-run first inning, really helped me on the mound today,” Conrad said.
Junior Trevor “Swamps” Hicks fired 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief of Conrad.
Wildcat shortstop Charlie Bischoff, singled, doubled and drove home two Wildcat runs in the eight-run first inning. David Ascencio, Brendan Dorsey, Zach Hafner (2-for-3), and Nick Heffernan, all had RBIs, in the eight-run Wildcat first inning.
Wildcat sophomore catcher Trevor Wagnon, singled home Central’s ninth run, in the second and blasted a solo shot over the left field fence for the 10th and final Wildcat run in the fifth inning.
“After being no-hit yesterday we all really came out with energy which fueled our big eight-run first inning,” Wagnon said. “I went to the plate and attacked the ball today, after being held hitless on Tuesday. Chris (Conrad) and “Swamps” (Hicks) were outstanding on the mound for us today. Another big game tomorrow with East here.”
Plainfield North (6-3, 1-1) was led by Nate Curtis who reached base all three times, with a solo homer to center in the second and a walk and hit by pitch. Shortstop Gavin Doyle chipped in with a double and two walks for the Tigers.
“We came out in the first inning and had great at bats against a very, good pitcher, North’s Keegan Bates,” Rosner said. “Chris was outstanding getting out of the bases loaded jam in the first and pitched well. Trevor Hicks got two big strikeouts in the fifth for us, in relief of Chris and finished up the game for us.”
SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE
Plainfield East 7, Joliet Central 0
Plainfield East (10-1, 2-0), senior right-handed pitcher, Luke Lamm fired an eight-strikeout, no-hitter, against Joliet Central (6-4, 0-2), on Wednesday. Lamm (3-0), fired first-pitch strikes to 15 Steelmen hitters, he faced.
Andrew Hoffman and Dylan Carlson, each had a pair of hits to lead the Bengal attack. Sean Rivera, Sean Blanchard and Jack Crowder each drove home Bengal runs.
Plainfield South 14 , Romeoville 2
Plainfield South (7-2, 2-0) crushed Romeoville (1-9, 0-2) on Wednesday, behind Connor Blake’s three-hit, three RBI afternoon. Cougar junior catcher Justin McGuigan, also drove home three Cougar runs, while red-hot AJ Manucci, drove home a pair of runs for South.
Junior left-hander Ryan Harty improved to 3-0 on the season with a solid six-inning performance on the mound. Griffin Lapp, chipped in with a three-hit afternoon for the SPC co-leaders.
Minooka 4, Oswego 1
Minooka (6-3, 1-1) bounced back against Oswego (6-2, 1-1), behind Seth Gutknecht and Dean Procarione. Gutknecht allowed a run and three hits in his solid six-inning, game-winning start and Procarione was magnificent, in the seventh. Procarione, struck out four Panther hitters, one reaching on a dropped third strike, to nail down the save for Gutknecht.
Procarione and Jake Howicz, had RBIs for the Indians, who once again could muster four hits against the Panthers.
SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE
Lockport 4, Bolingbrook 1
Lockport (9-1, 1-0) opened up Southwest Suburban Blue play with the win over the Raiders.
TJ Jaros picked up the win on the mound for the Porters with three no-hit innings. Josh Bentley had two hits, including a double and drove home a Porter run. CJ Weins had a prefect 2-for-2 day at the plate with an RBI, while Porter leadoff man Colin Woulfe, had two hits. Jack Mladic chipped in with a pair of RBIs.
Bolingbrook (1-7, 0-1) was led by Armand Morales who drove home the lone Raider run.
WEST SUBURBAN SILVER
Downers Grove North 16, Proviso West 2
Downers Grove North (2-6, 2-1) romped past Proviso West in five innings on Wednesday. The Trojans were led by TJ Drohan, who had a pair of hits and four big RBIs for DGN. Nick Buonamici, had two hits and two RBI while Scott Jakobsze, also had two runs and two ribbies for the Trojans. Eric Browning fired a complete-game victory on the mound for the Trojans, allowing just five hits.
INTERSTATE 8 NORTH
Lisle 4, Plano 3 (8 innings)
After Plano (3-10, 0-2) scored a run in the top of the 8th, the Lions won in walk-off fashion, which sent Lion fans pouring onto Short Street, for a walk-off victory celebration. Connor Nigro, struck out nine in his solid seven-inning start on the mound, for the Lions.
NONCONFERENCE
Naperville North 3, Benet Academy 2
Benet (4-5) had its four-game winning streak snapped at home, by Naperviile North (5-3) in Lisle on Wednesday. Dillon Glasgow and Collin Perry, each had a pair of hits for the Redwings.
Lincoln-Way West 14, Downers Grove South 4
The Mustangs (5-3) were hammered in a nonconference game on Wednesday. Cam Crowley had a two-run single for DGS and Nick Stacey chipped in with two hits, including a double and drove home a Mustang run.
Evanston 8, Westmont 7
Westmont(7-4), lost a wild nonconference game, at Evanston (8-4-1) on Wednesday, The Sentinels were led by Mike Koskoszka and Riley Basit, who each had two hits and two RBI for Westmont.