No. 2 St. Laurence, Smith hand No. 1 Mount Carmel first loss
April 28, 2012
By Drake Skleba
BURBANK – After getting destroyed 16-2 by No.1 Mount Carmel on Wednesday, No. 2 St. Laurence was looking for a little payback on Saturday at high-noon.
Junior right-hander Kevin Smith helped the Vikings save face and split the series by firing a three-hit shutout to outduel Caravan ace Tyler Laurish in a thrilling 1-0 St. Laurence victory. With the win, the Vikings move into a tie with Mount Carmel (23-1; 9-1) atop the powerful Chicago Catholic League Blue Division standings.
Smith, who is committed to Creighton, struck out seven and walked one to improve to 6-0 this season.
St. Laurence (23-2-1; 9-1) picked up the only run of this thriller in the home half of the second. With one out, Viking junior third-baseman Zach Lewis hit a high-hopper over his counterpart, Caravan third baseman Josh Gaal, into left field. UAB-bound left fielder Nick Altobella singled Lewis to third.
Viking senior Dan Cronin hit a soft tapper to Caravan second baseman Justin Gonzales, who made a fine play to throw out Cronin. On the play Lewis crossed the plate for the only run of the ballgame.
In the top of the fifth, the Caravan solved Smith for their first hit, a leadoff single by senior catcher Eric Pappas. Two errors by the normally solid Viking defense set up the confrontation of the ball game. With two outs and the sacks full of Caravan, Tyler Laurish stepped to the plate. On a 2-2 pitch, Smith fanned Laurish and left the bases full.
“It was a great way for us to battle back after Wednesday’s loss,” said Smith. “Coach Adam and I concentrated on hitting my spots. All of my pitches were working and I feel I did a great job of hitting my spots. Nick Altobella. Got to love that kid!”
Laurish (8-1) pitched a solid game for the Caravan with six solid innings of work. Laurish allowed one run and five hits striking out six Viking hitters.
In the top of the seventh, Gonzales led off the Caravan seventh with a single. Smith made a fine play to force Gonzales at second for the first out. Caravan senior pinch-hitter Brent Novosel ripped a liner to left …
Future UAB Blazer Altobella raced over and made a great catch and then fired a strike to Viking first baseman Brandon Mallder, who doubled up the surprised Caravan baserunner, and sent the large Viking contingent into the streets of Burbank very happy.
“After I caught the ball I noticed the runner was three-quarters of the way down to second base,” said Altobella. “I live for moments like this. I had confidence in my arm and made the great throw to end this great Viking victory. Kevin pitched a great game and we got them. After being humiliated on Wednesday, we all really wanted to come back and win today.”
The game was an outstanding battle between two of Illinois' finest. The two clubs could meet for a rubber-match on Monday June 4 in the Standard Bank Stadium Class 4A Super-Sectional at 7:30.
“I just want to tip my hat to Smith and St. Laurence,” said Mount Carmel head coach Brian Hurry. “Two great teams battled today and we ended up a little short.”
Altobella led the Vikings attack with a single and a double.
“Kevin Smith was special today,” said St. Laurence head coach Pete Lotus. “We had to let go of the disaster on Wednesday. We came back today and rebounded brilliantly. Nick's catch and throw was awesome. One of Nick's big assets in the outfield is his ability to throw the ball.”
Watch the re-broadcast of the game here: