By Sean Duncan

 

FLOSSMOOR - Losing streak? What’s that about a three-game losing streak?

 

Lincoln-Way East’s recent struggles seem to be a thing of the past, or at the very least, weren’t at all evident Friday when the Griffins steamrolled host Homewood-Flossmoor 17-3 in a five-inning Southwest Suburban Blue Conference game.

 

The perennially strong Griffins (11-9, 4-1), who are off to a somewhat surprising rocky start, feasted on Homewood-Flossmoor (14-5, 1-4) pitching for 15 hits, including four home runs that would’ve carried out of the park regardless of the wickedly powerful hitter-friendly winds.

 

“That stuff is over,” said Lincoln-Way East coach Paul Babcock about his team’s struggles. “This is the team you’ll see from now on.”

 

Junior catcher Zach Jones led the hit parade by going 3-for-4 with two home runs, including a grand slam in the fifth. Jones finished with six RBI.

 

“We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re starting to get it going,” said Jones. “We’re going to surprise some people in the playoffs. I’ve got a really good feeling about this team.”

 

Lincoln-Way East put the game away early when it scored six runs on eight hits in the second inning to make it 9-1. Six Griffin starters enjoyed multi-hit games. Junior third baseman Bryan Contey (2-for-3, three runs, two RBI) and senior first baseman Alex Stewart (2-for-3, three runs, two RBI) also went deep for the Griffins. Second baseman Charlie Hern went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and shortstop Jake Dobson and Andrew Donald also had a pair of hits for the Griffins.

 

Lincoln-Way East right-hander Matt Hartmann took care of the rest. The Creighton recruit struck out seven and allowed six hits in five innings to improve to 3-1. Hartmann allowed two hits through three innings as the Griffins poured on the runs.

 

“Matt did a very good job at keeping them off-balance,” said Babcock.

 

Senior Aaron Hauge led Homewood-Flossmoor (14-5, 1-4) with a solo home run in the first inning to dead centerfield and also singled.