RHP Adam Brouwer and LHP Ryan Kraft, a pair of sophomores, matched up in a non-conference tilt between Chicago Christian and Lincoln-Way Central. In the end it was Kraft and Lincoln-Way Central, who came away with a 3-2 win.

Kraft, an Indiana commit, threw well for Lincoln-Way Central (19-8) in his five innings of work but saved his most clutch moment for the top of the fifth inning. With the game tied at two and two outs, Kraft lined the first pitch he saw into center field, scoring Michael Maloney from second base and putting Central up 3-2. The RBI single turned out to be the game-winning hit. Central entered the frame trailing 2-1 and Riley Murphy started things off in the fifth with a single to left field. Murphy eventually scored the tying run when an errant throw on an attempted double play got away from the first baseman.

Chicago Christian (23-9) did not quit and made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Nathan Deckinga and Johnny Dieck led off with consecutive singles, putting runners on first and second with no outs. That is when Lincoln-Way Central called on senior reliever RHP Tate Dynia, who has been one of their most trusted bullpen pieces all season long. Dynia, answered the bell, inducing a 4-6-3 double play after two failed bunt attempts. The double play put the tying run on third with two outs but Dynia made quick work of the final batter, striking him out with his patented slider preserving the 3-2 win.

Kraft and Brouwer went toe-to-toe for much of the game, both pounding the strike zone at an impressive clip and walking only one combined. Kraft, a highly-projectable, 6-foot-3, 180-pound, left-hander worked 80-83 mph and went to a sweeping curveball as his out-pitch. Kraft went a total of five innings, scattering four hits, two runs, struck out four and walked one. Brouwer was equally as impressive, throwing a highly-efficient 77 total pitches (70% for strikes) in his seven innings of work. Brouwer allowed nine hits, three runs, one earned and struck out three without walking a batter. Brouwer, stands an athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, has a clean, easy arm and sat 82-84 mph early on his outing. Brouwer also showed feel for a three-pitch repertoire going to his changeup mostly against lefties and curveball against righties.

Chicago Christian jumped out to a 2-1 lead after three innings thanks to runs in the second and third innings. Brian Huttner led off the second with a walk and later scored on a Dieck RBI single to left field. A two-out infield chopper by Zac Edgar scored Matt Stuursma in the third inning. 

Sophomore Turner Doran led the way in the win going 2-for-3 with a double and stolen base while senior Kyle Labedz went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Sophomore Johnny Dieck went 2-for-3 with an RBI and stolen base in the loss.

For more in-depth notes from this game - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog.

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