Prep Baseball Roundup: Larkin rally gives Neuqua rare loss

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ELGIN -- Larkin used a four-run seventh inning to stun Neuqua Valley 5-4 in Upstate Eight Conference baseball action Saturday.

The Royals (11-13, 10-11 UEC) plated the winning run when Cam Kinley beat out a hit with the bases loaded, capping the last at-bat rally. Neuqua, the defending state champion which entered the day atop the UEC with just one league loss, won 18-3 in Game 2.

"This gives us some confidence that we can play with the big boys," said Larkin coach Doug Ellett. "We're making some progress here."

Winning pitcher Tyler Shore started the rally by reaching on an error before Luc Geier singled and Joe Stace walked. Justin Kalusa drove in a run with an infield single and Chris Bauer and Jake Kane followed with RBI walks. Kinley then delivered after hitting a weak grounder.

Shore (6-2) allowed three earned runs on seven hits and a walk with a strikeout. John Banks (2-4) took the loss in Game 2. Kane went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and Ellett substituted freely late as Neuqua scored 10 times in the final two innings.

Warriors drop pair -- Illiana Christian leapfrogged Westminster Christian in the Private School League standings with a doubleheader sweep. Illiana defeated Westminster (21-8) 7-4 in Game 1. Cory Hodge belted a three-run homer and Chadd Schroy, Brandon Siewert and Tyler Beachler had two hits apiece. In Game 2, an 11-1 loss, Schroy was 2-for-2 with a double. Westminster played without catcher Carter Ward (hamstring injury).

North sweeps Elgin -- St. Charles North's Danny Jimenez threw a five-inning one-hitter, helping the North Stars to a doubleheader sweep of Elgin. North won 14-0 in Game 1 and 11-1 in Game 2.

Isaac Serna (0-5) took the loss for Elgin (5-18, 5-17 UEC) in the opener, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks with three strikeouts in three innings. Dan Schmerber's fourth-inning single was the Maroons' lone hit.

Mike Stackowiak absorbed the defeat in Game 2, surrendering 9 runs (6 earned) on 12 hits with no walks and three strikeouts in five innings. Cody Thomas doubled twice and drove in a run.

G-K, Hampshire split -- Hampshire and Genoa-Kingston split a Big Northern Conference crossover, with the Whip-Purs (14-12) winning 4-0 in the opener and falling by the same score in the nightcap.

Kent Larson (4-2) carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of Game 1 before settling for a two-hit shutout. Matt Kuefner went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Bo Price, Zach Crinigan and Tyler Bentley had two hits apiece.

Cody Huffman took the loss for G-K (8-13), allowing just one earned run.

Garrett Johnson won Game 2, fanning three in seven innings. Adam Lucca (2 hits, double, run) and Trevor Muench (single, 2 RBIs) led the offense.

Erik Chellberg (4-3) took the loss in the nightcap after allowing only two earned runs.

McHenry 10, Dundee-Crown 0 -- Brendan Schumacher (2-3) was reached for eight runs in four innings of work for the Chargers (11-10, 4-6 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division). D-C managed only four hits.

Huntley 3, Grayslake North 0 -- Tanner Funke (7-2) struck out nine on his way to a complete-game victory. Craig Lipp had two hits and Tyler Funke doubled and drove in a run for the Red Raiders (16-12, 5-6 FVC Fox Division).