Naperville North’s Matt Gruber hasn’t been perfect, but his pitching still rates a 10 these days in the eyes of his opponents.
Gruber recorded 10 strikeouts for the second consecutive outing in the second-ranked Huskies’ 4-1 victory over No. 4 Lockport Saturday in Naperville.
“One of our goals is to end losing streaks at one,” said Gruber (3-1), whose team fell to Wheaton North Friday. “We’ve done a good job of that all year.”
Lockport scored in the first after Gruber’s two-base throwing error on a pickoff attempt put leadoff man Greg Blaesing on third and older brother Jeff drove him in with a sacrifice fly.
Naperville North (9-3) tied it 1-1 on a wild pitch in their half of the first. But Naperville North’s Jimmy Chiappetta (2 for 2) drove in the go-ahead run with a single to center in the second. The Huskies added two more in the third on an RBI double by Curt Mahlstedt and an infield hit by Shawn McAvoy.
The Porters put two on with no outs in the seventh. But after a visit from pitching coach Mark Lindo, Gruber induced a popup, a strikeout and a groundout to end the game.
The Porters (14-3), however, rebounded from the loss by beating Naperville Central 10-3 in an evening game. Lockport scored three runs in the fifth and four in the sixth to cruise. Jeff Blaesing (5-1) got the win, striking out seven, and Jeff Stanek went 4 for 4 with four RBIs. Naperville fell to 7-6-1.
“It’s nice to be able to come back and swing the bats better,” said Lockport coach Jim Hall. “I wanted to be 6-0 this week, but 5-1 is good going into conference play (in the SICA West).”
New Trier 2, Barrington 1: The top-ranked Trevians (13-1) had just two hits yet won behind pitcher Justin Nyweide, who went the distance and struck out seven. Barrington is 12-7.
New Trier 13, Harlan 2: The Trevians cruised as Mark Floersch went 3 for 3 with a three-run homer and knocked in four runs.
Andrew 6, Glenbard East 3: No. 5 Andrew (17-2) scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to win. Dan Borrelli and Aaron McGwire each drove in a run in the inning, and Mike Garber won in relief.
Andrean (Ind.) 4, Thornwood 0: The sixth-ranked Thunderbirds fell to 12-5 with the loss.
Homewood-Flossmoor 3-1, Sandburg 2-12: Brian Weitzel’s two-run homer in the sixth inning helped H-F prevail over the No. 8 Eagles in Game 1. Sandburg, which had lost three straight, rebounded in Game 2 behind Joe Degliomini’s four hits.
Stagg 2-6, Mt. Carmel 1-3: Jim Cesak struck out 13 to lead Stagg (10-9) in the Game 1 victory over No. 10 Mt. Carmel. Jeff Clemons had two hits, stole two bases and scored twice for the Chargers in the nightcap.
Brother Rice 11, Loyola 1: Bob Jennings (4-0) scattered five hits, struck out eight and allowed no earned runs for the Catholic League victory. Tim Hadley hit a two-run homer and drove home four for Brother Rice (13-2, 6-2).
Glenbrook North 6-4, Glenbard North 5-3: Mark Waller’s two-out single in the sixth drove in two runs to lift Glenbrook North (11-3) in Game 1. The Spartans’ Tom Reagan came through with a two-run single in the sixth inning of Game 2.
Gordon Tech 10, St. Francis de Sales 0: Gordon Tech’s Mike Bryant threw a no-hitter with six strikeouts in the Catholic League.
Illiana Christian 14-12, Walther Lutheran 4-6: Illiana (8-4, 5-3) used two hits and three RBIs from Chad DeGroot in the Private School League opener. Dave Ericks struck out 12 in the nightcap.
Luther North 15-23, Luther South 0-1: Nick Gottschalk threw a five-inning perfect game, striking out 13, and Rollo Carlson drove in four runs for North (14-6, 5-4) in the Private School League opener. Tim Hargesheimer (seven RBIs) hit a grand slam and tripled twice in the nightcap.
Lyons Township 10-14, Downers Grove South 9-3: Tim O’Connor had three hits and three RBIs to lead the Lions (9-7, 6-3 West Suburban Silver) to the Game 1 victory. Joe Genna’s three hits and three RBIs in the nightcap gave Lyons the sweep.
Niles West 7, Mather 1: Chris Heuer gave up three hits and struck out seven and Peter Zonis went 3 for 3 for Niles West (13-3).
Notre Dame 7-13, Benet 3-5: Wally Vojacek earned the East Suburban Catholic victory for Notre Dame (10-7, 3-3) in Game 1, striking out seven. He went 3 for 5 with four RBIs in the nightcap.
Richards 10-6, Thornton Fractional North 1-1: Jeff Smith fired a one-hitter, striking out 11, for the Bulldogs (8-7) in the opener.
Ridgewood 6-5, Riverside-Brookfield 3-7: Tony Cruedele had two hits and two RBIs to lead Ridgewood (13-5, 5-2 Suburban Prairie White) in the opener. R-B won Game 2 in the eighth on Sal Dodaro’s two-run triple.
St. Joseph 5-6, St. Viator 4-4: Jamie Kulik’s two-run double in Game 1 gave St. Joseph (7-7, 3-1) the East Suburban Catholic victory. Kulik (five RBIs on the day) posted the pitching victory and hit a two-run homer in Game 2.
St. Rita 9, Leo 4: Phil Paris went 3 for 4 and Joe Deskovich homered for St. Rita (13-5, 5-3 Catholic League).
Simeon 2-10, Deerfield 1-13: Marcus Anderson claimed the Game 1 victory for Simeon. He threw a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts over eight innings. Deerfield salvaged a split, using three hits from Paul Couleur (two RBIs) and scoring seven runs in the nightcap’s fourth inning.
Taft 16, University High 4: Taft won its 14th straight with two hits and four RBIs from Brett Nishibayashi.
Thornton Fractional South 7-3, Thornridge 0-1: T.F. South (16-1) won Game 1 by forfeit because Thornridge arrived late. Trent Jensen earned the Game 2 victory, striking out 12.
