4A Shepard Regional: Richards Defeats Homewood-Flossmoor

May 24, 2017

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Richards 2, Homewood-Flossmoor 1

OAK LAWN, IL – Shortstop Donivan Williams has led the way offensively all year for Richards and did so once again Wednesday afternoon. Williams, an Illinois State commit, came through with the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning, propelling Richards to a 2-1 Regional Semi-final win over Homewood-Flossmoor.

With the score tied at one and runners at the corners with two outs, Williams got a changeup out over-the-plate and drove a groundball single back up the middle. The single, which ended up being the game-winning hit, scored Jake Moran, who had reached on an error to lead off the inning.

Williams played a big role in the only other run of the game for Richards. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Williams laced a leadoff single right back up the middle. He would later score, to tie the game at one, on a sacrifice fly to right field by Noah Petrusevski.

Sophomore Brett Renken started and threw 5.2 innings of one-run baseball for Richards. Renken, scattered six hits, struck out five and only walked one. The right-handers only blemish came in the first inning when he gave up an opposite-field double to Kyle Salley. The double scored Zaid Walker for the Vikings only run of the game.

In the top of the sixth inning and the game tied at one, Homewood-Flossmoor was able to get runners on first and second with two outs. The Bulldogs went to the bullpen for their ace, Angelo Smith. Smith, a Michigan commit, made quick work of the next batter, striking him out with three straight fastballs, the last one coming in at 90 mph. The southpaw came back out for the top of the seventh inning and retired the side in order, two of them via a strikeout.

Richards offense was led by Williams and Moran. Williams finished the game 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored while Moran went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Freshman Tre Hondras went 2-for-3 to pace the Homewood-Flossmoor offense. Walker, a Michigan State commit, singled, walked and scored the only run for the Vikings.

Richards will face off against Lincoln-Way West on Saturday for the Regional Championship.

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