Bears just keep on winning

Lake Zurich lost some close games early in the season, but since then the Bears have been one of the hottest teams in the state.

Lake Zurich extended its win streak to 11 games Thursday after defeating Stevenson 9-5 in a North Suburban Lake game in Lincolnshire.

"We're right where we need to be right now," said senior first baseman Steve Cleary, who hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBI. "We're really playing well together."

Lake Zurich (22-5, 10-2) jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings thanks to Cleary's third homer of the season.

But Stevenson (12-14, 5-7) chiseled the deficit to 7-5 in the sixth before coach Gary Simon opted to bring in ace Joey DeBernardis, who had earned the five-inning victory on Tuesday, to close out the game.

Peter Romanello delivered a two-run single in the seventh to seal the game. DeBernardis went 2-for-3 with two runs and RBI, and Dan Zummo (7-0) earned the victory and had two hits at the plate.

Matt Goll and Jason Douglas each had two hits for Stevenson.