Grayslake Rams Baseball Takes FVC Fox Crown

Illinois Wesleyan University wants Derek Idstein as a middle infielder next season. Well, just maybe that school is getting more than they bargained for. Here's a Grayslake Central senior who can pitch and hit the ball around the yard.

The Rams asked Idstein to take the mound at Crystal Lake South on Thursday and he shut down a strong Gators team. That came a day after Idstein, the batter, connected for a single, double, triple and homer against Woodstock North. That's a cycle.

Idstein ranks No. 4 on the Rams pitching staff. But with rainouts and a rescheduled game with South lurking this week, it was his turn to take the mound.

Idstein survived first inning trouble and fired a complete game to beat Crystal Lake South 5-3. "I had good command of my changeup,'' Idstein said. "And they were hitting the ball right at our guys."

With head coach Troy Whalen out of town for business, assistant coach Joe Ecker let Idstein finish the game out despite facing the winning run in the seventh.
"Today his number was up,'' Ecker said. "He was our best chance at winning."

The Gators had two runners on with two outs when Idstein looked at CLS catcher Dom Winiecke. For the third time in the game, Idstein got Winiecke out, this time on a bouncer to second baseman Ryan Hamrick.

The final out gave the Rams it's 20th win of the season. That's something to say for a team that graduated the bulk of its stars a year ago. Central repeated as FVC Fox champions.

"We have the same formula every year,'' said Central coach Troy Whalen. "We want to win the conference and better as the season goes on."

Shortstop Austin Miller tripled and had a pair of singles to lead the offense on Thursday. He scored two runs. Idstein reached base three times and had a pair of hits. Jon Gurchak singled and doubled and drove in a run. Austin Leggett scored two runs and drove in a run. Cam Neely walked twice and drove in a run with a bases loaded walk.

In a rare occurrence, both Whalen and South head coach Brian Bogda, who was sick, missed this game.

Recap: This win avenged a loss on Tuesday to Crystal Lake South by that same 5-3 score. South scored 4 times in one inning and pinned the first loss on Mark Ash's record. His mark is still sparkling at 6-1.

On Monday, Mark Gawinski notched his fifth victory of the season with a 6-2 win over Jacobs.

In the 15-1 romp over Woodstock North, the Rams clinched the FVC Fox crown.

Regional: The Rams are headed to Lake Villa for regional play come Thursday (May 27). Central will play on the home field of Lakes High School  to battle the Eagles.