Rams, Knights split weekend series

Originally published on May 14, 2009 by Bill Pemstein

If Kevin O'Rourke stood at the plate and tossed balls up in the air, he couldn't have done this.

Yes, the question came up. What could Grayslake North pitcher Nate Sousa have done to O'Rourke to deserve this?

O'Rourke's first-bat Saturday morning produced a solid line drive that deflected off Sousa's glove.. and right into his side. The right-hander recovered quickly but in his hurry threw the ball away.

O'Rourke's second at-bat also produced a shot directly at Sousa. It was also a little scary.

"When I'm pitching, I don't like to get hit," O'Rourke said. "But on that second one, I was freaking out."

O'Rourke kept his head down at first base while the medical staff comforted the fallen Sousa. It marked the final batter he faced as Central avenged a 9-0 romp over the Knights at Central.

Meanwhile, Sousa escaped serous harm.

"It's amazing you don't see more of that," said Central coach Troy Whalen.

With ace pitcher Aaron Snyder on the mound, the Rams (15-11, 3-5) didn't take long to put the game away. Angelo Gargano and Mike Gentile had first-inning RBI hits. Single runs in the next three innings gave Snyder all he needed. The only question was whether he would get a no-hitter, but Joe Bowes' bloop single broke the no-no bid in the fifth inning.

"Snyder pitched a great game," noted North coach Andy Strahan. "There is a reason he's going Division 1 (SIU)."

O'Rourke reached base all four times.

"I'm not the most consistent hitter," he said. "But I was hitting well in the cages (last) week. We have the talent. We just have slumping all year. Maybe this win will build some confidence."

Catcher Sean Seiler also reached base four times. He cracked a third inning homer over the left-field fence. Both Gargano and Kurt Schmidt doubled and singled while knocking in two runs each.

"It's a fun game when you get quality pitching and timely hitting," Whalen said.

Recap: Home field was crucial in this series. On Friday, a five-run first inning gave North a boost. Brandon Schroth went six strong innings in an 8-5 win over the Rams. Schroth supported his own cause with two hits and two RBIs.

"There was a lot of energy on both sides," Strahan said. "It was back and forth. We were lucky to be able to take a conference win. Central is a very good team."

Drew Doering and Matt Robinson had two hits each. Ed Tatera added a triple.

North (7-17, 2-5) used a complete game from Tatera last Thursday and beat McHenry 6-1. Vinnie "The Penguin" Licciardello laced three hits and drove in a pair of runs. Bowes tripled and singled.

Next Pitch: Huntley is Central's guest today. And the pitching matchup is intriguing. Snyder will go for the Rams and Tanner Funke will pitch for Huntley.

"Both Aaron and Funke will be roommates next year at Southern (Illinois)," Whalen said.

A busy week at North continues when Crystal Lake Central visits today. Round Lake visits on Friday. Both games begin at 4:30 p.m. Huntley visits North at 10 a.m. Saturday.

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