By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

ST. CHARLES, IL – Prior to the season, few, if anyone, knew the name Matt Starai. But with each passing start, the St. Charles East unsigned senior has continued to raise his profile, to the extent now that he is unquestionably one of the premier Class of 2013 pitching prospects in Illinois.

Starai one again proved that Wednesday, as he pitched a three-hit shutout to defeat No. 16 Lake Park, 6-0, in the Class 4A St. Charles East sectional semifinal.

Starai (9-1) was in complete control throughout. He struck out six with no walks. His fastball sat 87-89 mph for the entire game, while throwing an often-sharp 75-77 slider, 66-69 mph curveball and wrinkled in a 78 mph changeup for good measure.

Starai also outdueled one of the state’s hottest pitchers, senior right-hander Christian Taugner (9-2). In fact, both Taugner’s losses came against Starai. Taugner, a Brown recruit who was throwing on three days’ rest, wasn’t helped by his defense, as all six runs were unearned.

“Coming into the year, we knew [Starai] was good,” said St. Charles East coach Len Asquini. “Now we’re seeing just how good.”

Lake Park (27-10) never reached second base in the game, and when the Lancers did happen to get on base, St. Charles East’s defense turned three double plays.

“It’s hard not to be hyped up for a game like this,” said Starai, “but I just had to take it pitch by pitch and not get ahead of myself. … Any time you do well in a sectional game, and keep the opposing team off the scoreboard for seven innings and move on in the playoffs, is a big deal.”

St. Charles East (25-11) scored an unearned run in the second inning, and then put the game seemingly out of reach in the third when the Saints added five more unearned runs thanks to three Lake Park miscues. Senior first baseman Brian Sobieski delivered the big blow with a two-run single, and Jack Dellostritto followed with a bloop RBI single.

Sobieski paced the Saints offense, going 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, a walk and reached base all four times. Dellostritto also had two hits and a walk.

The run support was more than enough for Starai, who, thanks to the three double plays, faced 22 batters – one above the minimum.