Keuper comes through for Sandburg

Sandburg pitcher Will Keuper overcame some shaky defense to hurl his first complete game of the season as the No. 5 Eagles knocked off Joliet 5-1 Wednesday in Orland Park.

The visiting Steelmen (13-6, 4-2 SouthWest Suburban Blue), who defeated Sandburg 2-1 on Monday, took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning without the benefit of a hit thanks to three infield errors and a bases-loaded walk to pitcher Matt Porter.

But the Eagles (10-3, 5-2) responded by scoring four times in the bottom of the second, rapping out five of their 11 hits. Ryan Cowhey had a two-run double and Ian O’Connor and Jim Pipolo drove in runs with singles.

“My defense behind me is almost always good,” Keuper said. “They had a couple slip-ups but I have faith in them to bounce back. All I need to do is throw strikes and they’re going to make the next play.”

Keuper (4-2), a Harvard-bound southpaw, scattered five hits while walking two and striking out three. Joliet had runners at second and third with two outs in the seventh before third baseman Bob Newman stopped a hot smash by Zak Horvat to end it.

“It’s a good feeling not having to give it to the bullpen,” Keuper said. “I have faith in my bullpen but it’s nice to be able to finish what you start.”

Cowhey, O’Connor, Lucas Fritsch and Nick Kujawa all went 2-for-3 for Sandburg. Pipolo drove in two runs and O’Connor scored twice.

Porter and Ryan Herter had two hits each for Joliet.