Fourth-inning rally sparks blowout win for Manteno, 11-3

Manteno blew past Plano 11-3 on Thursday at home after pouring on six runs in the fourth inning.

Third baseman Billy Liss racked up two RBIs on one hit for Manteno, including a triple in the sixth inning.

Jack Liss got the win for Manteno. He allowed three runs over five innings. The Manteno pitcher struck out three, walked one and surrendered eight hits.

The game's last lead went to Manteno thanks to a second inning rally that saw one run cross the plate on a wild pitch.

Manteno survived Plano’s three run surge and answered back with three runs of its own in the sixth. Manteno scored on a two-run triple by Billy Liss and an RBI double by shortstop Kevin Sloat.

The win puts Manteno at 26-2 on the season and 10-2 in the Interstate 8 conference. Manteno leads the south division of the conference by a game over rival Herscher.

The Panthers take to the road on Friday in a non-conference match-up against Illiana Christian in Lansing, Illinois. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 pm.

 

Manteno outmuscled by Illiana Christian, 10-0

The temperature wasn’t the only thing that went cold on Friday as the Manteno Panthers fell to Illiana Christian 10-0 in non-conference play.

Illiana Christian jumped out to a big 8 run lead in bottom of the first inning on 4 hits, one walk and 3 hit batters. Manteno’s only two base runners were right fielder Joey DiLeo and shortstop Kevin Sloat. DiLeo walked in the first inning but was gunned down on a strike-‘em-out, throw-‘em-out to end the inning. Sloat took away the no hitter from Illiana Christian in the top of the fifth with a fly ball to right field. He advanced to second on a wild pitch but first baseman Derrick Hosselton grounded out on a 3-0 pitch to end the game and the Panther’s only serious scoring threat.

The Panthers were without their center fielder J.J. Witherow who went down with an injury in Thursday’s game against Plano.

Jason Morgan (5-2) took the loss for Manteno. He pitched 2 innings, giving up 8 hits and 9 earned runs, issuing one walk and one strike out. Reliever Nate Page gave up 3 hits, one earned run, and struck out 2.

Manteno is now 26-3 on the season and 10-2 in the Interstate 8 Conference. The Panthers will face off against conference rival Herscher next Monday at home. Start time is 4:30 pm

Westmont 8, Dwight 7
Charlie Donovan was 2-for-4 with the game-winning 2-run single, and Zach Moran was 2-for-3 with 2 RBIS for Westmont (6-17).

Coal City 8, Wilmington 1

Herscher 5, Seneca 1
Austin Mendell allowed 4 hits and struck out 7 in the Herscher (23-6, 10-3).

Lisle 11, Reed-Custer 1 (5 inn.)
Brian Czyl was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, and Ryan VanVolkenburg was 2-for-4 with a home run for Lisle (27-5, 12-1).

Peotone 5, Sandwich 3