Semifinal survival

Cary-Grove’s Chris Waylock (arms raised) and teammates celebrate after the Trojans defeated South Elgin, 10-9 in 10 innings, in an IHSA Class 4A Larkin Sectional semifinal Thursday in Elgin. C-G will play Huntley for the championship at 10 a.m. Saturday. (H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@nwherald.com)

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ELGIN – Danny Leisten’s last varsity at-bat before Thursday happened so long ago he could barely remember it.

The Cary-Grove junior’s most recent plate appearance is one he might never forget.

Leisten came to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning, worked the count to 2-2 and lined the ball toward South Elgin second baseman Bradley Zych.

The ball short-hopped Zych, who didn’t come up with it cleanly. He frantically tried to grab it and throw to first, but Leisten beat the throw and C-G had survived for a tense 10-9 victory in an IHSA Class 4A Larkin Sectional baseball semifinal Thursday.

“I just focused on keeping the pressure off,” said Leisten, whose previous varsity at-bat came in the season opener at Ottawa. “I know what coach [Don Sutherland] always says, ‘See it deep and drive it to the right side.’ ”

C-G (25-12) will try for its second consecutive sectional title at 10 a.m. Saturday against Huntley (27-9), the team with which it shared the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division championship.

“No one works harder than Danny in practice getting good swings,” Sutherland said. “He did a good job putting the ball in play.”

C-G appeared to be in trouble when its ace, Kevin Weber, did not have his usual success on the mound. South Elgin (20-15) scored two runs each in the third, fourth and fifth innings to chase Weber. The Storm added two more runs in the sixth for an 8-3 lead, making the Trojans’ chances look even bleaker.

“We never think we’re going to lose,” C-G shortstop Chris Waylock said. “We’re not done until our last out.”

Still, Sutherland sensed some doubt in the middle of the game.

“We had some kids who were down, but there’s no clock here, it’s not like football, so the bottom line is you’re never out,” Sutherland said.

Catcher Eric Chandler capped a five-run rally in the sixth with a two-run single off Drew Buddle after they battled to a full count. Chandler’s line drive tipped off the edging of Zych’s glove as he dived for the ball.

“This could have been my last game,” Chandler said. “I didn’t want to go down swinging or looking. I wanted to make contact. The playoffs are a whole new beast. You never have enough runs, and you’re never out of it.”

South Elgin scored in the top of the ninth for a 9-8 lead when John Menken raced home from third on Nathan Garris’ sacrifice fly to right field. Nick Taylor fired home to Chandler, who thought he had tagged out Menken.

The Trojans were down to their last out in the bottom of the inning when Nick Richter was hit by a pitch. Matt Efflandt was inserted as a pinch runner and scored when Tyler Lau doubled to right-center field.

Steve Mihalik (3-0) worked the final 12⁄3 innings for the victory. Waylock led off the 10th with a sharp single, but Mihalik’s bunt attempt was caught by Buddle, who threw to first for a double play. Chandler walked, Stu Gaulke was hit by a pitch and both advanced a base on a wild pitch, so the Storm intentionally walked Michael Vilardo.

Leisten then became the eighth player to occupy the sixth spot in the order and the Trojans were able to end the game just before darkness. Had an out been made on that play, the umpires may have opted not to start another inning.

“Each team had opportunities to put the game away,” South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. “There were close calls, it was exciting high school baseball. I never feel comfortable, I don’t care if we have 15 runs. That ball short-hopped [Zych] and looked like it had some crazy spin. Our effort was there, you couldn’t ask for more.”