By Steve Nielsen

This week kicked off a four week stretch of games for the Fall Prospect Program. All of the games were very competitive and we saw a lot of talent exhibited on the field this week. This week we saw Team Red vs. Team Orange and Team Green vs. Team Black.

In the early matchup of Red vs. Orange, Team Red won both games by scores of 10-6 and 3-1. Offensively, Glenn Kubek, Class of 2014 of De La Salle HS led the way for Team Red with three hits, a double and two singles. Six other players added hits for Team Red to carry the offense with 13 runs on the day. On the mound several Team Red pitchers controlled the game well, most notable was Palatine HS product Matt Trembley (Class of 2014), Trembley threw 3 scoreless innings leading the way for Team Red. The left-handed pitcher commanded the zone well with his fastball at 77-79 and efficiently pitched to contact for his 3 scoreless innings.

Team Orange’s day was highlighted by Burlington Central’s Josh Lung (Class of 2013). Lung went 2-4 with a walk and hit the ball hard all day. Lung also recorded a stolen base to add to his efforts. On the mound Orange was led by Lisle HS left-handed pitcher, Alex Ventrella (Class of 2013). Ventrella recorded three strikeouts while giving up one run on 1 hit and 3 walks.

The second matchup saw Team Black take on Team Green. Team Green came out hot scoring 9 runs in the first 3 innings. Led by Dundee Crown’s Zach Girard (Class of 2014) recording 4 hits on the day, including 2 doubles. Team Green finished the day with a flurry, scoring 5 runs in their last at-bat capped off by a game tying single by Michael Rizzo (Hinsdale South HS, Class of 2013). On the mound Team Green held Team Black hitless for the first 4 innings started by left-hander Jerome Minick (Class of 2014) from Oswego HS. Minick kept hitters off-balance with a 73-75 mph fastball and a deceptive change-up with good arm side run. Stevenson HS product LJ Austin also contributed to the hitless streak as the 6-foot-5 righty pounded the zone with his fastball and a good biting curveball that he threw for strikes.

The highlights for Team Black came in the second game when they got out to a 7-2 lead powered by Guilford HS’s Arron Buck who led the way with 2 doubles. Team Black’s pitching found their rhythm in game two led by three scoreless innings from Connor Riley (Marmion HS, Class of 2013) and Lincoln-Way North lefty Brett King (Class of 2014). Riley showed an 81-83 mph fastball complimented by a hard 74 mph breaking ball. King sat comfortably at 77-78 with a deceptive fastball showcasing late movement down in the zone. Both pitchers were sharp as they pounded the zone well with their fastball and kept hitters guessing throwing off-speed pitches for strikes.