Landwehr, Prospect handcuff Glenbrook North

Updated: June 6, 2011 8:55PM

The first time Prospect met Glenbrook North, Jack Landwehr wasn’t as fortunate.

Landwehr earned a second chance Monday in the Class 4A Rockford Supersectional and the Spartans couldn’t handle the junior right-hander in the rematch. Landwehr pitched a complete game, allowed eight hits and led the Knights to an 8-2 victory at Road Ranger Stadium in Loves Park.

Prospect (26-8) earned its first trip to the state semifinals and will play Edwardsville (29-9) or Providence (35-3) at 3 p.m. Friday at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

The Spartans (33-4) scored in the top of the first on Jason Scholl’s RBI single to score Boomer Synek from second. GBN threatened in the fifth and scored its only other run in the sixth. Landwehr struck out six and gave up one walk.

“It was awesome. They spanked us as much as they could the last time, especially when I pitched,” said Landwehr, the losing pitcher in a 12-2 defeat to the Spartans on April 4. “I came out here and competed. I changed speeds and that kept them guessing.”

Prospect coach Ross Guisti wasn’t sure about starting Landwehr (13-2).

“I was a little weary on three days rest,” Giusti said. “’What do you think I want to do?’ Jack said, ‘Give me the ball.’”

The Mid-Suburban League champion Knights scored all of their runs in the final three innings. Prospect had four consecutive hits off Sean Thomas (7-2) in the bottom of the fourth, including a triple by Peter Bonahoom and two batters later, another triple by Brian Bauer (2-for-3, two RBI).

Thomas pitched only 3 2/3 innings, but his replacement, Peter Resnick, who pitched a no-hitter earlier in the playoffs, allowed five runs in two innings of relief.

Glenbrook North came on win shy of its first state tournament finals since winning the 1974 title. The Spartans exceeded all preseason expectations entering coach Dominic Savino’s first season.

“The biggest thing I’m proud of is the senior class,” Savino said. “The way they were committed. They brought the attitude on a daily basis.”

Synek (2-for-4, run), a three-starter at shortstop, knew the Spartans were facing a different Landwehr than early April.

“He did well. He pitched good,” Synek said. “He kept it down and didn’t miss much. He figured us out as hitters and found all of our weaknesses.”

Synek was GBN’s only hitter to have more than one hit off Landwehr. Synek and outfielder Charlie Apfelbach were two of five seniors to play their final game for the Spartans.

“It’s unbelievable. I had the time of my life. The memories I got this year I’ll never forget. I feel like, ‘Wow,’” Apfelbach said.

GBN’s other starting seniors were Thomas, Jack Day and Ryan Slawin.

Prospect won for the sixth consecutive time and has seven of eight victories entering the state semifinals.

Landwehr (2-for-3) also had a big day at the plate with two RBI, an RBI double in the fourth to score Bonahoom and an RBI single in the fifth that plated Luke Bergman. He nearly had another hit in the first, but Synek made a diving play to rob Landwehr.

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