Grinders Capture Summer Hope Title
Written By Dennis Mahoney

Right-hander Roger Wilson, a St. Laurence High School product, scattered six hits and struck out 10 Sunday as the Grinders defeated the Illinois Blaze 9-2 and captured the 15-and-under Summer Hope tournament held at Evanston's baseball stadium.

Wilson, mixing a sharp-breaking curve with his fastball, surrendered only one earned run and didn't walk a batter for the winners. The Grinders struck for one run in the first inning, four in the third, two in the fourth and two more in the sixth against three Blaze pitchers.

Biggest blow in the four-run third was a two-run triple by Ben Wishba with two outs. Catcher Dan Dziadkawiec led the way for the Grinders with a 3-for-3 performance, including a double, and Tyler Nassar went 2-for-2 with a walk.

In the semifinals earlier Sunday, the Grinders topped the White Sox 8-1 while the Blaze held on to eliminate Team Acceleration 9-6 after building an early 7-0 lead.

Winning pitcher Frank Greco yielded just three hits in his five inning mound stint for the Grinders against the White Sox. He was backed by a nine-hit attack, including a three-run home run over the Blue Monster in left field by Josh Holmes that was part of a seven-run fourth.

Casey Dodge, Chase Woods and Jack Yalowitz each drove in a pair of runs in the Blaze victory in the semis.