Surprise, surprise

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ELGIN -- Dundee-Crown moved into uncharted territory Wednesday while South Elgin was left to deal with an all-too-familiar result.

The fourth-seeded Chargers have their first winning streak of the season after upsetting the top-seeded Storm 12-9 in the Larkin Class 4A Regional semifinals.

It was a back-and-forth affair as D-C (8-22) jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the top of the third only to see South Elgin (16-16-1) tie the score by the bottom of the fifth. The Chargers weathered the rally, though, and regained the advantage for good in the top of the sixth on Chris Leifel's two-run single.

The outcome was a disappointing one for the Storm, which has now lost its playoff opener in each of its three varsity seasons. While South Elgin is left to lick its wounds, D-C advances to Saturday's regional final against the winner of today's game between Streamwood and Larkin.

"Nobody really expects anything out of us so these teams are probably coming in here underestimating us," D-C senior Willy Larsen said. "We haven't really accumulated a streak like this all year. We're in uncharted territory right now so we'll see what happens."

Larsen belted a solo home run in the top of the first and reached base in all five at-bats to help lead D-C's onslaught. Leifel (2-for-4, 3 RBIs), sophomore Nick Spagnola (2-for-3, HR, 4 RBIs), freshman Jake Romano (2-for-4, RBI) and sophomore Steve Schwartz (2-for-4, RBI) also made significant contributions at the plate.

However, that production almost wasn't enough. D-C scored six runs and sent 10 batters to the plate in the third, but South Elgin answered in the bottom of the inning by scoring five runs and sending 10 batters to the plate to pull within 9-6.

The Storm completed the comeback with three runs in the fifth as Chris Ciccone singled with two outs to drive in Brandon Stevens and tie the score at 9.

With the big lead gone, D-C wasted no time regaining the advantage. Larsen drew a leadoff walk in sixth and stole second. Brendon Schumacher struck out in the next at-bat, but he went all the way to second and Larsen sprinted to third thanks to a dropped third strike.

Leifel came up next and delivered a slow roller up the middle that drove in Larsen and Schumacher, putting the Chargers ahead 11-9.

"Luckily enough we have some experience with (losing a big lead), so I think we knew how to respond," D-C coach Jon Sawyer said. "I'm really proud of the guys."

D-C added another run in the seventh on Romano's RBI single. That proved to be more than enough support for junior Zach Vodicka, who tossed 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to notch the win.

South Elgin could only manage one hit off Vodicka (3-1) after connecting for 14 hits off D-C starter Bill Peterson.

Ciccone went 4-for-4 with three RBIs to lead the Storm attack. Drew Buddle (2-for-3, 2 runs), Charlie Sabo (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) and Jake Toppel (2-for-4) also contributed.

Sam Jordt (4-4) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Brett Huisman started and allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings. The Storm didn't help its cause by committing five errors.

A number of key contributors return next year for South Elgin, but coach Jim Kating couldn't find much of a silver lining after yet another early postseason exit.

"I'm tired of the young team (label) and I'm tired of the disappointments," Kating said. "If we want to be a program that's recognized in the area we need to start stepping forward and coming through in situations like this."