Jack Crowder, a junior Illinois commit, got the start on the mound for Plainfield East on Friday afternoon and led the Bengals to a 7-0 shutout of No. 5 Providence Catholic.

The 6-foot-3 right-hander was on a 75-pitch limit and was able to make it through five strong innings to pick up the win. Crowder scattered two hits, no runs, no walks and struck out seven Celtics. Crowder’s first pitch out of his hand on the day was 92 mph and the power-armed junior settled in at 88-89 mph early on. He mixed in a mid-70’s slider to keep hitters off balance. Fellow junior, RHP Dylan Sullivan, came out of the bullpen and finished off the win, going the final two innings without allowing a hit and walking one.

The Plainfield East (4-0) offense pounded out eight hits in their six half innings at the plate. The Bengals broke the game open in the bottom of the third inning, scoring four runs after the Celtics went to their bullpen. After two quick outs to start the frame, senior catcher Sean Blanchard (Heartland JC commit) was hit by a pitch and Crowder walked. Junior Andrew Hill followed with a two-run double that just got under the glove of the diving left fielder. A later error would allow Hill and Nicholas Pratscher both to score, pushing the lead to 4-0. The Bengals would tack on two more runs in the fifth and one in the sixth.

Six Bengals recorded at least one hit in the game, with Hill and Crowder leading the way with two hits apiece. Hill finished 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI’s, a run scored and a walk. Crowder also went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored.

The biggest bright spot for Providence Catholic (1-1), came in senior RHP Bryce Barnett. Barnett, an Arizona State commit, started the game and threw two innings due to a strict pitch-limit. The talented ace scattered two hits, did not allow a run and struck out three in his outing. Barnett sat comfortably at 89-92 mph and was mixing in a curveball and slider, both flashing swing and miss action.

Brendan Slota and Jack Flynders delivered the only two hits of the game for Providence Catholic, both singles.

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