Trapino no-hits Vernon Hills

Updated: June 2, 2011 6:56PM

As Richmond-Burton’s E.J. Trapino sailed toward a possible no-hitter, the Vernon Hills hitters were hoping to take the lefty out of his rhythm.

It never happened — the ace tossed his second no-hitter of the season to lead Richmond-Burton to a 5-0 victory in an IHSA Class 3A Grayslake Central Sectional semifinal on Thursday.

The Cougars (25-12) had no answer for Trapino’s live fastball, sharp slider and biting curve.

“He was able to control three pitches,” Vernon Hills coach Jay Czarnecki said. “He could work in and out and up and down. He kept our guys guessing in the box. We were hoping he would wear down or lose command of his pitches.”

Trapino gave the Cougars a little life by walking two hitters in the seventh. But he ended the game by recording his 10th strikeout.

For the first four innings, Vernon Hills lefty Tyler Feece nearly matched Trapino. Feece carried a one-hitter into the fifth inning, but the Rockets strung together five hits off Feece and reliever Ryan Lane to plate five runs.

“[The Rockets] hit a couple of balls that found their way out of the infield,” Czarnecki said. “That five-run inning took the wind out of our sails.”

The big at-bats in the rally belonged to Casey Williams (RBI single), Parker Johnston (RBI single), Parker Jewell (sacrifice fly) and Ryne Blanton (two-run single).

Prior to the uprising, Trapino had no intention of backing down.

“That (scoreless duel) made me want to keep throwing well,” said Trapino, who has tossed back-to-back shutouts. “I wanted to beat the other lefty, and I didn’t want anyone to show me up.”

Czarnecki believes Feece will benefit from competing on a big stage.

“Tyler really battled,” said Czarnecki of his sophomore standout. “This is a great learning experience for him.”

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