By Drake Skleba

 

LIBERTYVILLE - No. 8 Warren sent 14 men to the plate in the third inning against Libertyville in a North Suburban Conference Lake Division showdown on Wednesday. The Blue Devils tallied eight runs and went on to roll past the host Wildcats 12-5.

 

Warren (19-3; 5-1) head coach Clint Smothers received major support in the victory from the bottom third of the Blue Devil lineup. The Blue Devils’ No. 7 through 9 hitters – seniors Pat Oliver (2-for-4, RBI, 2R, BB), Matt Dowd (2-for-4, 2RBI, 2R, HBP) and Joe Frericks (3-for-4, RBI, 2R, BB) – went a combined 7-for-12 with four RBI and six runs scored. The trio was on base 10 times in 15 plate appearances.

 

In the big eight-run explosion in the top of the third that erased a 2-1 Libertyville (11-8; 5-3) lead, the trio went to work. With the bases loaded, Oliver battled for a run-producing walk to tie the game at two. Dowd followed with a two-run single to give the Blue Devils the lead they would never relinquish at 4-2.

 

“We have worked hard for this all year,” said Dowd. “We really hit the ball well today. I stayed on the ball and had a good day.”

 

Frericks followed with another RBI single to make it 5-2 and the rout was on.

 

“I felt really comfortable at the plate today,” said Frericks. “Coach has been helping me with my swing and I saw the ball very well and had a great day.”

 

Warren junior right-hander Ryan Kennedy (5-1) took care of the rest. Kennedy fired a complete game four-hitter, allowing two earned runs and striking out five

 

“Good win today. We really hit the heck out of the ball,” said Kennedy. “I started out a little shaky but coach and I made an adjustment and I really finished strong. I have done a good job this season keeping the ball down and getting outs. I think we have a very talented team and I feel we will win the NSC Lake.”

 

Warren’s Virgina Tech-bound catcher Scott Heelan had another outstanding day at the plate. Heelan was 3-for-3 with a walk and sac-fly and drove in a pair of Blue Devil runs. Heelan did a fine job behind the plate as well.

 

“This was a good team win. We hit the ball well and Ryan pitched an outstanding game for us,” said Heelan. “The bottom of our order really hit well today. That is why we are so tough to beat this year.”

 

“My hitting coach Todd Fine has been very helpful with my development as a hitter. Coach Fine has really helped me with my swing. He has helped many of us to become better hitters.”

 

Heelan added: “I am really excited about going to Virgina Tech this fall but I think we have a very good team and I am going to have a lot of fun finishing this year. I really believe we can get to Joliet this season.”

 

Warren senior RF Tim Bodine had a single and drove home a pair of runs for the Blue Devils. Junior 3B Kevin Colburn was on base three times with two hits and a walk. Colburn had an RBI as well,

 

“I’ve been working in the cage with Dowd and Frericks and they really came through for us today. The bottom of our order really helped us get this win today,” said Smothers. “I sat down with Ryan Kennedy and we made an adjustment in the third inning and Ryan really pitched well the rest of the way for us.”

 

Smothers added about Heelan: “The hitting line has been pretty consistent for Scott all year. Scott is pleasure to watch hit the baseball. Where he’s heading he is way ahead of the game and will do well at the next level.”

 

Libertyville received a great game from 6-foot-4 junior Joey Eichmann, who hammered his first home run of the year. The talented junior also doubled and walked and drove in three Wildcat runs.

 

“Can we erase that third inning?” said Libertyville head coach Jim Schurr. “If we could have stopped the damage at 5-2 or so, we could have been in the game. Our pitching staff is so decimated with injuries right now we are really limited in that area now. I had been kidding Joey Eichmann about him being a big strong kid and hadn’t hit a home run yet this season. I was happy to see him take one out today, his first of the season. He had a great day for us.”