Baseball: Lincoln-Way East takes advantage of Homewood-Flossmoor’s charity
By Pat Disabato pdisabato@southtownstar.com May 3, 2012 10:26PM
Updated: June 5, 2012 11:45AM
Homewood-Flossmoor pitcher Justen Smith couldn’t find the plate in the first two innings Thursday and Lincoln-Way East made him pay.
The Griffins opened up a 9-1 lead after 21/2 innings, on the strength of a three-run homer by Brandon Bollman and two-run shot by Bobby Kosola, then held on to down the host Vikings’ 10-7 in a SouthWest Suburban Blue battle.
Smith walked five in his two innings, three of the free passes resulting in runs. Kosola was 3-for-4 on the day, while Bollman was 2-for-4 and Kevin Slawkowski reached base four times, three on walks.
“Their pitcher gave us some freebies and we hit some bombs,” East coach Paul Babcock said. “Getting the momentum like that was huge on a day like today when the wind is blowing out.”
That’s why the Griffins never really could get too comfortable, even with the eight-run cushion.
The Vikings (16-8, 4-5) chipped away against East starter Mark Chemello. Danny Lietz (2-for-4) and Nick Brandt (2-for-3) belted home runs for H-F. Ben Kirchler and Joe Sherlock had two hits apiece.
“You have to throw strikes,” H-F coach Todd Sippel said. “Even on a day like today, it’s hard to get back in the game.”
Kevin Duffin added a third homer on the day for the Griffins (13-9, 5-4), a solo shot to center field.
