Blaine does it all for Coal City

JOLIET -- If asked if he enjoys playing at Silver Cross Field, Coal City High School's J.T. Blaine would probably respond, "Yes."

Blaine doubled, hit a solo home run and pitched the Coalers to a 4-0 victory over Reed-Custer on Friday at the Joliet JackHammers' home field.

Blaine (6-4), a senior, went the distance for the Coalers (15-11, 9-5). He threw a 2-hitter, struck out 5 and walked none. Kyle Dearth added an RBI single.

"J.T. pitched a fine game," Coal City coach Jerry McDowell said. "He also had some big hits.

"It was nice to play at Silver Cross and get a win."

Blaine's homer came in the fifth inning.

Andrew Molloy singled twice for Reed-Custer (16-13, 10-6). Losing pitcher Jake Evans (6-3) whiffed 5, walked 3 and allowed 3 hits in 6 innings.

Plainfield South 10, Oswego East 3 -- At Joliet, Sam Urso had 2 hits and 2 RBIs for South (13-16) in its Southwest Prairie Conference victory. Drew Turk had 2 hits and an RBI and Tony Sanchez finished with a hit and 2 RBIs.

Winner Bob Hansen and John Kontos combined for 5 strikeouts.

Lockport 6, Oak Forest 5 -- At Oak Forest, senior Derrell Williams (2-1) went the distance for the Porters (15-8) in the nonconference win. Williams allowed 6 hits, walked 3 and struck out 3. Joe Martin had 3 hits (2 doubles, RBI). Matt Denton contributed a hit and 3 RBIs.

Neuqua Valley 3, Minooka 2 -- At Minooka, the Indians (21-8-1) dropped the nonconference decision to the defending Class AA state champions. Bryan Wellner had 2 hits for Minooka. Brian Martin and Wellner drove in runs. The Indians committed 3 errors and stranded 9 baserunners.

Andrew 3, Lincoln-Way East 2 -- At Tinley Park, Joe Turek had 2 hits and an RBI for the Griffins (15-7, 6-5) in the SouthWest Suburban Red defeat. John Lorenz (1-2) took the loss.

Seneca 5, Dwight 0 -- At Seneca, the Irish (20-10, 13-3) completed their Interstate Eight Conference championship season with the win. Senior winner Justin Cryder (8-2, 7-0 in the conference) pitched a 3-hitter with 7 strikeouts and no walks in 6 innings. Matt Musser threw the final inning. Jared Walsh (double, stolen base) and Josh Higgins (double, RBI) had 2 hits for Seneca.

"This was a great way to finish the conference season," Seneca assistant coach Bryan Erickson said. "Justin pitched another strong game."

Westmont 7, Wilmington 2 -- At Westmont, the Sentinels scored 5 runs in the top of the seventh to take the Interstate Eight Conference decision. Colin Webb and Jake VanDuyne had 2 hits for the Wildcats. Webb hit a 2-run homer.