By Drake Skleba

 

OAK FOREST – Cancel the post-game show. Lincoln-Way Central senior Brian Hennessey gave up a leadoff single to Oak Forest’s Bobby Sheppard in the first inning of Monday’s nonconference battle between the two southwest suburban teams.

 

After eliminating any drama, Hennessey proceeded to fire seven no-hit innings thereafter to guide Lincoln-Way Central to a 5-0 victory over Oak Forest. Hennessey’s one-hit masterpiece led the Knights to their fourth consecutive victory for new Lincoln-Way Central head coach Sean Bieterman. Hennessey fanned two and walked five and relied on a sterling defensive effort by the Knights, who turned a pair of double plays to assist their senior on the mound. Hennessey improves to 2-0 on the season.

 

“My defense really helped me today,” said Hennessey. “I used my fastball to get ahead and had Oak Forest hitting the ball into the ground. It feels really good to have pitched so well and help us get this big victory on the road. We are really playing great baseball to start the season.”

 

Indeed. Bieterman, who had a highly successful seven-year run at Driscoll Catholic, took over the Knight’s program this past summer. Bieterman’s 2006 Driscoll Highlander squad went 35-4 and finished third in Class A in the old two-class system. The Addison Roman Catholic school closed its doors in June of 2009.

 

Lincoln-Way Central (4-0) picked up an unearned run in the top of the first to give Hennessey the only run he would need.

 

The Knights added a run in the fourth on a perfectly executed suicide squeeze bunt by left fielder Mark Krull (1-for-2, 2B, 2RBI), scoring courtesy-runner Zach Teichmiller. Teichmiller had run for catcher T.J. Seibt (2-for-2, 2B, BB), who had singled to leadoff the inning.

 

“We practice bunting situations,” said Krull. “I saw the ball well and got the bunt down. I’m seeing the ball well at the plate and it’s really great the way the whole team is playing right now.”

 

Oak Forest starting pitcher, sophomore Kyle Funkhouser (0-1), allowed one earned run and three hits in four innings of work. He fanned four and walked two.

 

“Brian really pitched a great game for us,” said Seibt. “I hit the ball well tonight. I really stayed in there and am happy with my performance.”

 

Lincoln-Way Central scored a single run in the fifth and added a pair of runs in the sixth to conclude the scoring. DH Evan Branyik (1-for-3, 2B, RBI), Krull and leadoff man Chad Podkulski (1-for-2, 2BB, RBI) picked up the Knight RBIs.

 

“We are really executing,” said Bieterman. “What a great performance for Brian (Hennessey). We are playing championship-caliber baseball right now.”

 

Oak Forest head coach Thad Gatton was disappointed with the loss.

 

“We didn’t play with any fire tonight. Kyle (Funkhouser) pitched a solid game for us.”