PBR DAILY ROUNDUP

Saturday April 28

By Drake Skleba

Big 12

Normal West (20-4; 5-0) swept a pair from Champaign Centennial 9-1 and 6-2. In the game one, Wildcat junior Alex Jefferson (5-0) fired two-hit ball over six innings at the Chargers to improve to 5-0 on the season. The Roundup apologizes to the Jefferson’s for crediting Alex with a defeat incorrectly, earlier in the week.

In the second game nonconference affair, four Wildcat pitchers shutdown Centennial, with Josh Appel (2-0) picking up the 6-2 win.

Bloomington (18-5; 5-1) kept pace with Big 12 leader Normal West by sweeping Danville 3-0 and 8-5. In the first game, the Purple Raiders blanked the Vikings 3-0 behind junior Kenny Frantz’s one-hit, eight strikeout shutout. Fellow junior Brandon Edwards continued his assault on the baseball with three more hits and a pair of RBI.

In the game two nonconference win, Frantz and senior Mike Mardis combined for five hits and three RBI to lead the Raiders to victory. Raider junior Roman Visintine improved to 4-0 on the season with a solid four-innings of work against Danville (13-9; 5-2).

Normal Community (8-15) swept Urbana 15-1 and 10-0. North Central College recruit Tyler Bixby threw a five-inning no-hitter in Game 1. Normal has won five straight.

Catholic Blue

No. 5 Providence (17-6; 8-2) shut out No. 17 St. Rita 8-0, behind a two-hit shutout from University of Notre Dame-bound RHP David Hearne (3-1). Future Fighting Irish teammate Zak Kutsulis and Celtic sophomore Dylan Rosa each plated a pair of runs for Providence. St. Rita (16-7; 7-3) dropped both games to the fifth-ranked Celtics this week.

Catholic White

St. Joseph (16-10; 4-7) delivered a devastating blow to defending Catholic White champ Fenwick’s (14-10; 6-6) hopes of repeating on Saturday. The Chargers, behind senior Steve Scalassa’s one-hit masterpiece, stunned the Friars 1-0. Charger junior Sean Holas singled home the game-winner for St. Joe’s.

East Suburban Catholic

No. 10 Joliet Catholic Academy (16-5-1; 5-1) swept away St. Patrick 7-1 and 8-2. Freshman Nick Dalesandro went 3-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Hilltoppers in their game one win. Hilltopper junior Cal Placher (3-2) fired a four-hitter at the Shamrocks.

In the game two win, senior Zach Melone had a 3-for-3 game with an RBI. Junior Matt Testa (2-0) and senior John Chignoli combined for a five-hitter.

Marian Catholic (15-9; 3-5) split with Notre Dame, winning the opener 5-3 and then blowing a 6-0 lead in the nightcap, as the Dons rallied for thrilling 7-6 come-from-behind win.

Notre Dame (11-14; 3-5) put three runs across in the bottom of the seventh to make the long bus ride back to Niles from Chicago Heights an enjoyable one.

Don senior 3B Kevin Stahmer ripped a clutch two-out, two-run single to tie things up at 6-6. Moments later junior 1B Eric Zepeda completed the come-back with a walk-off single.

Fox Valley Valley

Cary-Grove (16-7; 10-1) blasted Jacobs 9-1. Trojan Matt Dunlap (3-2) fired a five-hitter with eight strikeouts against the Golden Eagles (13-10; 8-3).

Nonconference

No. 11 Benton (24-4) won a pair on Saturday at the Cobden Appleknocker Tourney. In the opener of the tourney Benton defeated S. Illinois River-River Mississippi foe Carterville 3-2 behind Ranger freshman Martin Ward’s (1-0) six-hitter in his first varsity start. Leadoff man Cody Smith led the Ranger attack with two hits and two RBI. Beau Gibbs launched a solo-shot into the Cobden sky for his sixth round-tripper of 2012.

The Rangers defeated the hosts from Cobden 5-2 in their second game. Ranger senior Beau Gibbs (3-0) fired a six-hitter at the Appleknockers. Gibbs helped himself with an RBI single. Senior Mason Childers had two hits and an RBI.