Chargers grind out extra-inning win

Updated: May 4, 2011 10:22PM

CARPENTERSVILLE — Dundee-Crown gave up a lead to Grayslake North in the top of the seventh inning, only to take a 5-4 win in nine innings on Wednesday.

The Chargers’ Dylan Kissack lifted a fly ball to right field in the bottom of the ninth that allowed Scott Nowicke to tag up and score the winning run. Kissack had been 0-for-4 up to that point, but came up big when it mattered most.

“I thought they were going to walk him,” said D-C coach Jon Sawyer. “I told him if they pitch to you, be aggressive, we don’t need to be deep in the count. And he found a pitch to hit. He’s a good hitter.”

D-C (15-10, 12-5 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division) forged an early lead and looked to be cruising to a win in seven innings until the Knights (5-16, 4-11) came up with a game-saving rally.

Kevin Staszczak started the top of the seventh with a walk and was bunted over by Adam Gomski. Following a flyout, Nick Stanfel sent a ground ball to D-C second baseman Corey Volberding. The throw to first base went over the head of Kirk Hanselmann, however, allowing Staszczak to score the tying run from second base.

“Obviously, it was good to see our guys battle back a little bit,” said Grayslake North coach Andy Stahan. “D-C did a good job of keeping us off balance a little bit. They made big pitches when they had to, and we weren’t able to put the barrel of the bat on the ball and drive home some of those runs.”

The Chargers got on the board in the bottom of the first when Hanselmann doubled in Nowicke who led the game off with a single. Nick Spagnola added another D-C run with a single that knocked in Jake Romano.

Grayslake North came back in the top of the second with two runs of its own. Andy Tatera brought home Staszczak and Gomski with a two-out double.

D-C took the lead back with a Steve Schwartz RBI single. The Chargers wouldn’t score again until the fifth inning when Romano tripled in Hanselmann.

Down 4-2 going into the top of the sixth, North threatened to take the lead against D-C pitcher Erik Brewer. The Knights scored a run on a fielding error to make the score 4-3 before loading the bases with one out.

Neither Travis McKenzie nor Brandon Fern were unable to produce with the bases loaded as McKenzie struck out and Fern grounded out.

“We obviously have to be happy to get the win,” Sawyer said. “I thought we had a chance to extend our lead and maybe put them away there, and we didn’t do that. And that’s what happens when you let good teams hang around and make things interesting. We were lucky enough, and I stress lucky enough, to get the win.”

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