Hermeling Dominates as Spartans Grind Out Win Over Evanston

Cold weather and heavy winds may have inconvenienced fans who came out to support the Spartans and Evanston Wildkits on Thursday afternoon, but it certainly didn't disrupt GBN starter Alex Hermeling. The Louisiana-Monroe bound right-hander went the distance for the Spartans, striking out 12 in a 2-1 GBN victory in Northbrook. 

"It was a little cold but I felt good today," said Hermeling, who gave up just three hits. "I wanted to make sure that I didn't warm up to early, but I felt loose on the mound and I'm happy with what happened."

Hermeling, who fanned six of the first nine batters he faced, lost his bid for a perfect game in the fourth when he issued his only walk to Evanston lead-off hitter, Gabe Derman. Threatening to steal, the speedy Derman eventually took second on a failed pick-off attempt and scored later in the inning thanks to yet another errant Spartan throw. The Wildkits collected two hits in the tying top-half of the inning and did not grab their third until center-fielder Kenny Horwat (2-3) singled the top of the seventh.

"I thought Alex's command and location today was outstanding," said GBN first year head coach Dominic Savino. "He worked ahead of a lot of hitters, he was very efficient and he gave us seven innings of great baseball."

"He really took control out there and that's what he brings to us as a senior leader. It was fun to watch."

North grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when catcher Jason Scholl scored on a wild pitch from Evanston starter Jordan Crawford; Scholl drilled a one-out double and advanced to third on a Tyler Hurst single. North, however, remained scoreless until their final at-bat.

Jack Day led off the bottom of the seventh with a hard-hit ball that jumped on Evanston shortstop Jeremias Delgado. Two batters later, GBN lead-off hitter Charlie Apfelbach (2-4) ripped a one-out single to left. Shortstop Brett Synek followed with another sharp single of his own, prompting Evanston head coach Frank Consiglio to go to his bullpen. The Wildkits then called on submarine-style reliever Jack Anderson. With the bases loaded, designated hitter Sean Thomas delivered a softly-hit ball to third, but it was enough to score pinch runner, Cody Phipps, and give the Spartans their 12th win of the season.

Thomas, who hit into an inning-ending double play in the first and struck out looking in the fifth, kept confident and never flinched at the sight of Anderson's unconventional throwing motion.

"When we were in St. Louis we had faced a similar pitcher that threw the same way, kind of off the ground, so I was prepared on what to expect," said Thomas (1-4). "I was just trying to put the ball in play and hopefully get that run across, which we did today. This was a big conference win against a really good Evanston team, so we're really excited about it."

Excitement, momentum and talent has been a dangerous combination for GBN's opponents this season, especially those from Illinois. Glenbrook North has yet to lose to an in-state foe, and will look to keep its winning streak alive on Saturday in Lake Forest when they visit the Scouts for a doubleheader starting at 10am.

"Right now, it's a team approach," Savino said. "We've gotten solid pitching, our defense has played very well and we've been getting timely hitting. Those three parts of the game have been consistent for us, to where we're at right now."

"We have some of the best chemistry in the state and we're a family," Hermeling added. "We come out and compete every day knowing we can win every ballgame and I think the sky's the limit for us."

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EVANSTON (7-5, 1-1)

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GBN (12-1, 2-0)

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