Central's Tough Loss In Regional Final Ends Season

The clock would run out in both football and basketball. And if the clock were available Grayslake Central still would be playing baseball.

When Derek Idstein hit a positive rocket to left field opening the fifth inning Saturday at Lakes High School, the Rams (24-11) looked to be on their way to sectional play.

Vernon Hills hit the Rams with five runs in the sixth inning on Saturday and pinned a difficult loss on Central, ending baseball season for the Rams. The Cougars overcame a late 7-4 Rams lead and posted a 9-8 victory in the regional title game.

“I thought we had scored enough runs,'' said Central coach Troy Whalen. “Our game plan was there. It just didn't happen.”

The loss overshadowed some impressive performances by Central players. Designated hitter Jon Gurchak made one out all day long, and that was on a screamer which the center fielder reluctantly caught. The junior also had a double and two singles and drove in a run.

“He's just a good hitter,'' Whalen said.

In addition to Idstein's homer, catcher Kristian Meehan cracked a two-run homer in a three-run second inning. Austin Miller closed his strong career with a pair of singles. Speedy center fielder Nick Hosford drove in a run in the fifth inning and doubled and scored the last run of the season.

Starting pitcher Mark Gawinski battled for four innings and was in a good position for a win when he departed.

“We just didn't finish,'' Whalen said. “It would have been nice. But that's baseball.”

The Rams graduate seniors Austin Leggett, Jake Oslovich, Cam Neely, Josh Raven, Andrew Formica, Nick Passerella, Joey Bleuer, Miller, Gawinski, and Idstein.

Recap: Maybe the Rams felt they were blessed. How else to explain that win over Lakes on Friday. Three consecutive errors by home-standing Lakes chased Ryan Hamrick home with the winning run. Central won the regional opener 4-3.

At North: The Knights finished 13-19. The regional win came over North Chicago. Adam Gomski had a pair of doubles in North's 18-0 rout over the Warhawks. Vernon Hills made it 2-for-2 over Grayslake schools when they ended North's campaign, 9-5 last Thursday.

North graduates only four seniors. Of course, that includes shortstop Kevin Staszczak, slugger Brandon Fern, pitcher Kyle Fosco and infielder Colin Laughlin.

CORRECTION:

The original version of this story stated incorrectly the graduating seniors from Grayslake Central. Ryan Hamrick should not have been in the original list of graduating seniors, but Austin Miller should have been. Sorry for any confusion. Patch regrets the error.