By Sean Duncan

PALATINE – For the last two seasons, Stevenson won games on the strength of its pitching, with its offense scratching just enough runs to get by.

This season, however, the Patriots are showing a different look, as in, they’re scoring runs – and in bunches. Take Wednesday’s nonconference 11-0, five-inning pasting of Palatine for example. No. 7 Stevenson pounded out 15 hits, including 11 in the first two innings when the it mounted a 10-run lead. What’s more, six Patriots enjoyed multiple-hit games in five innings.

“The lineup is so much more improved,” said SS/RHP Kyle Ruchim, a Northwestern recruit who went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs. “We have so many guys back with experience from last year who have gotten a lot more at-bats. It seems like the next guy picks up right where the last guy left off. One through nine we’re solid.”

After graduating three Division I pitchers, including All-Stater Scott Firth, certainly Stevenson (4-0) won’t be as good as it was on the mound last season. Against Palatine, though, Ruchim showed the Patriots’ typical pitching dominance. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-hander limited Palatine (3-4) to two hits, one of which was an infield single, in five innings work. Ruchim, who was pitching with a big open blister on his finger, struck out 10, walked three and hit one batter behind a three-pitch repertoire that included an 84-86 mph fastball.

“He’s a competitor,” said Stevenson coach Paul Mazzuca. “He’s got that bulldog attitude. Pitching in these (windy) conditions, against a very good Palatine team, I didn’t think any lead was safe.”

The offense gave Ruchim (1-0) plenty of wiggle room in the first two innings. The Patriots jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead behind a three-run homer by senior second baseman Teddy Heiser, who finished with five RBI and was on base four times.

Then the Patriots opened the second with five consecutive hits, followed by a walk and another hit. Corey Lasky (2-for-4, two runs) and Ruchim each doubled in the inning, and Heiser delivered a two-run single.  Third baseman Kory Cutler finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI.

 “It’s so much easier to pitch with a lead,” said Ruchim. “To be honest, I wasn’t feeling my best out there, but getting all those runs gives you so much more confidence.”

Stevenson made it 11-0 in the third on Ruchim’s RBI double.

 “They put the barrel on everything,” said Palatine coach Paul Belo, “and we missed our spots. There’s really nothing you can say. I don’t think there’s a kid in uniform who would’ve expected this. It’s very disheartening.”

Senior outfielder Mike Luschen went 1-for-1 and reached base all three times to lead Palatine. Pirates’ starter Byron Skinner fell to 2-1 on the season.