By: Matt Yarber

Palatine HS started off the season the way they wanted to with a win over a notable opponent, Highland Park HS, 4-1, in a pitching duel between Eric Scheuermann (1-0) and Brett Shimanovsky (0-1).  Two quality pitchers took the mound to start the game as a dense fog slowly crept over the field and eventually became so thick that the game was called after five innings. 

Palatine HS gave Scheuermann, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound RHP, enough support and watched him go to work early mowing down opponents with his fastball that topped out at 89 mph.  Scheuermann, a Bradley commit, went four strong innings and recorded 8 K’s, 1 hit, and 2 BB.  He was able to work in his off-speed pitches nicely to keep the Highland Park hitters out of sync all day while consistently changing the eye-level with his fastball.  Scheuermann helped himself out as well going 2-3 in the game.

Palatine HS Head Coach Paul Bellow was happy with his team’s performance and excited about the timely hitting.

Brett Shimanovsky started the game for the Highland Park Giants and worked his way out of a bases loaded jam in the 2^nd inning.  Shimanovsky was sitting 82-85 with a good fastball and mixed in two breaking balls while going 3 innings with 5 K’s giving up 3 hits, 4 BB, and 1 HBP.  The defense behind him seemed to struggle making errant throws around the diamond which resulted in unearned runs. 

Jason Goldstein, the number 6 player in the state, had an 0-2 day with an intentional base on balls, though he looked good defensively as he attempted to back pick two guys at second base, getting one guy out and receiving a questionable safe call on the other attempt.