Waters powers Stevenson past Mustangs

Updated: April 25, 2011 6:24AM

Once Brandon Waters went into attack mode, the hits soon followed.

Waters collected three hits in four at-bats Saturday to help Stevenson outlast visiting Rolling Meadows 16-10. The No. 9 hitter launched a solo homer, a two-run triple and a single to spark a 14-hit attack.

"Brandon is feast or famine sometimes," said Patriots coach Paul Mazzuca, whose team improved to 11-2. "He took advantage of some balls up in the zone and put good swings on them."

It didn't start too well for Waters and his teammates.

Rolling Meadows (6-6) scored five runs in the top of the first inning, the final three coming on a homer to left by the Mustangs' Pat McGinn.

Despite the 5-0 deficit, the Patriots didn't hang their heads.

"We knew we could get good swings on the ball and drive it hard," Waters said.

Waters struggled in his first at-bat, striking out on a curveball. But his bat came to life in the fourth when he blasted a homer to left field.

"With a 2-0 count, I was looking for something middle in," Waters said. "When I saw the pitch would be there, I got my hands in and swung through it."

The homer cut the deficit to 5-4. The Patriots then exploded for 10 runs in the fifth, including a two-run triple by Waters to right-center field.

"That was a curveball that I got a little ahead of," Waters noted. "But I kept my weight back and I tried to drive through it."

The other standouts for Stevenson included Max Golembo (3-for-3, double, 4 RBI), Adam Walton (2-for-3, double, 3 runs, 3 RBI), Jacob Sholl (2-for-5, double, 2 runs) and Steve Galanopoulos (pinch hit 2-run single).

Zach Gordon picked up the victory. After surrendering five runs on six hits in the first frame, the right-hander settled down to fire four no-hit innings. He did give up two hits in the sixth, with both runners coming around to score off the bullpen.

Rolling Meadows did not quit, scoring five runs in the sixth. The Mustang leaders for the game were Matt Hendricks (2-for-4, double, 2 RBI), Kevin Cwynar (1-for-4, 2 RBI), Mike Weingart (2-for-4) and McGinn (1-for-2, homer, 3 RBI).

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