By Matt Yarber

Schaumburg – It took extra innings to decide the winner of this Mid-Suburban Crossover game as Schaumburg was able to pull out a 3-2 victory in eight innings.

Schaumburg took a two run lead in the bottom of the third inning and looked poised to close the game out when they brought in senior Pat Bellinger in the sixth inning to relieve Matt Brancato (5 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 6 K) who had a pitched a gem up to that point.  Bellinger took the mound, throwing 82-84 mph and featured a nice breaking ball.  But the Grenadiers of Elk Grove were not giving up so quickly.  They mustered two runs in the top of the sixth inning with two outs to the tie the game.

It took an extra frame but Schaumburg got the one run they needed in the bottom of the eighth to win in walk off fashion.

Scouting Notes

• Matt Brancato, a physical 6-foot-1, 210-pound Unsigned Senior, looked good on the bump.  He was sitting 79-81 mph with his fastball and he featured a deceiving curve-ball that he was able to locate in any count and created many swing and misses.  He also helped himself out offensively, going 1 for 3 with an RBI single.
• Evansville commit, Pat Bellinger, looked good on the mound with his 82-84 mph fastball.  He featured a knee buckling breaking ball that Elk Grove hitters had no chance of hitting.
• Unsigned senior, Colin Bethran for Schaumburg, showcased the leather making one of the best plays I have seen all year, as he completely laid out from a full 30 yard sprint to make a magnificent diving catch in foul territory.  The clean-up hitter also went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
• Elk Grove junior, 2B Patrick O’Malley impressed with his all-around game, sprawling out to make a diving stop to his left.  The junior also went 1 for 3 at the plate.