’Canes ride fast start to supersectional

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JOHNSBURG – Dave Parr delivered on the mound and at the plate, and Marian Central secured its first trip to a baseball supersectional since 2005.

The Hurricanes defeated Grayslake Central, 5-4, on Saturday to win the IHSA Class 3A Johnsburg Sectional at Tiger Field. Marian will play Nazareth at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the North Central College Supersectional in Naperville.

The Hurricanes (26-9) got going early, scoring three runs in the first inning. 

Scott Franzgrote started the inning with a single and was brought home on a triple by Eli McGuire. Parr doubled home McGuire, and Karl Steiger singled to score Parr.

The early lead set the tone for the rest of the game and gave the Hurricanes a lot of momentum, Parr said.

“You settle down as a pitcher,” Parr said. “We just rode that until the end. There was never a doubt in my mind that we were going to win.”

Parr (11-2) allowed four hits and struck out five in 61⁄3 innings. He gave up the four runs, with two of them earned.

Parr said he was able to keep the Rams batters off balance with his changeup and by throwing good strikes.

“I was keeping the ball low,” Parr said. “I had my off-speed (pitches) working.”

McGuire got the final two outs in the seventh to preserve the win and pick up the save.

Hurricanes coach Gregg Wikierak said he knew going into the game that Grayslake Central (30-8) was a good fastball-hitting team.

That didn’t stop his pitchers from throwing the heat, but it did make them more careful.

“When we did throw it. we tried to spot it,” Wikierak said. “Dave did a nice job of changing speeds and locating his pitches.”

Pitching smarter and in control was a direct result of being able to pitch with a lead, Wikierak said.

“It relaxes the pitcher and puts the pressure on the other team,” Wikierak said. “It definitely makes a difference.”

Marian committed two errors that accounted for two runs.

Parr said despite the lapses, his defense made up for the errors with some great plays in the field.

“I have nothing but confidence in my defense behind me,” Parr said.

Heading into Monday’s supersectional, Wikierak said Dave Luczak, his other ace, would more than likely pitch. Luczak is 8-1 and throws a good curveball and fastball.

Wikierak said Luczak, being a lefty, also gives the batters a different look.  

“[Luczak’s] been very consistent for us all year,” Wikierak said. “It obviously gives the kids a lot of confidence.”