THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008
Hawks Steadily Improving
By DWIGHT ESAU
Journal Sports
Maine South has struggled in baseball this season (6-10-1), but the Hawks have hung tough and strapped it on six days a week.
Last week, the work and steady focus paid off with a winning record.
The Hawks went 3-2 and got some fine pitching performances to move them closer to a .500 record.
South split with Niles West, losing 3-1 to an outstanding pitching job by a Wolves starter, but then bounced back for a 12-3 win two days later behind a 5-inning, 5-strikeout pitching performance by Ronnie Muck.
"Every starter had a hit in this game, we just got a lot of offense up and down the lineup," said coach Bill Milano. The Hawks took a step backward the next day, however, in a 5-3 loss to Guerin Prep. Guerin broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth with 2 unearned runs, and the Hawks left the bases loaded in the 7th. "We were like the Cubs and the Sox this past weekend," joked Milano.
The rest of South's week was much better. Tony Cannizzaro pitched a 3-hitter to beat Maine East, 5-0, while Brad White and Brian O'Toole were the big hitters. Finally, White pitched another 3-hitter to beat Lane Tech, 4-1. "We had no errors in that game, which was a big key for us," Milano said.
Elsewhere last week, Maine West improved to 10-5 overall, and 7-4 in the Central Suburban-South, with a 6-2 win over Glenbrook South. Mike Santa Maria tossed a complete game 6 -hitter with 9 strikeouts and had 3 hits to lead the Warriors.
St. Viator had a mixed weekend. The Lions had their six-game win streak snapped in a doubleheader loss to state-ranked Joliet Catholic, 11-5 and 13-8. Eric Huber and Bryce Hensley were the losing pitchers, but Brett Kay tripled and Jack Meyer doubled twice in game two.
The Lions bounced back with a 12-2 win over St. Patrick to improve to 15-10 on the season and 6-7 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Phil Bar and Nick Skala slammed home ruins, Kay had 3 hits and Meyer 2, and Mike Bordes pitched a complete-game 5-hitter with 5 strikeouts.
Leyden won a big game in the West Suburban Gold, 9-1 over Downers Grove South. Jonathan Weaver led the way on the mound and at the plate for the Eagles (17-3, 12-1). Weaver tossed a 3-hitter at the Mustangs and struck out 14 while walking only 2. He also homered and drove in 3 runs. Tim Mackey and Cam Stephens each had 2 hits and had 3 RBIs between them for the Eagles.