Hinsdale Central Scores Early, Top Conference Foe No. 10 Lyons Township
April 1, 2019
HINSDALE, IL - The Hinsdale Central Red Devils played host to conference foe Lyons Township Monday afternoon on a chilly, wind gusted afternoon. In their home opener, the Red Devils topped the Lions 2-0 in a pitchers duel that saw a total of three hits in the game
Senior RHP Ayden Head (Kenyon College) took the mound for the Red Devils setting the pace early and often retiring the first six Lions hitters to step in the box. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-hander made big pitches in pressure situations stranding runners at third base in the 4th and 5th and a pair in scoring position in the 6th. Head finished with a line: 6IP, 2H, BB, 4K.
Head would gave way to junior RHP Charlie Williams who geared up for the one inning save. Williams walked the leadoff man only to receive perhaps the biggest out of the game when junior catcher Alex Simon gunned down the runner attempting to swipe second, rally averted. Williams struck out the next two pinch hitters setting up the Red Devils for the first conference win of the young 2019 season.
Senior RHP Grant Leader (Illinois commit) was lights out in all but one inning for No. 10 ranked Lyons Township. Leader started the game with four strikeouts in the first inning due to an error on the catcher who couldn’t corral Leaders' hard running heater up in the zone. The Illinois bound righty then walked the first two Red Devils in the second followed by a bunt single from Jimmy Lynch, setting up back to back sacrifices from seniors James Pappas and Alexander Perez. Small ball was in full effect.
Leader settled in from there allowing only two runners to reach base from the third inning forward. He would plunk future Fighting Illini teammate junior Tom Jurack and walk senior Danny Schaub, only to strand them on the base paths. Leader finished win a line: 6IP, H, 4BB, 2R, 2ER, HBP, 9K.
Lions junior 2B Matt Schuler lead all hitters on the day with two singles and a stolen base.
The Lions will host Hinsdale Central tomorrow afternoon as they seek retribution against their familiar conference opponent.
Check back to our Illinois Scout Blog throughout the week for in-depth scout notes from this game and all games attended by our PBR Illinois Staff.