With the count 2-2 down to their final out, senior Rocco Royer sent a drive over the first baseman’s head scoring senior Wilson Irvin to walk-off #9 Warren after an eight-run comeback. It was the team’s first win after beginning the season with two ties against Niles West and Vernon Hills in consecutive nights.

Senior Davis Gramza started on the mound on Friday for the Scouts and it was one that he is definitely going to want to forget about. Gramza lasted one out and surrendered seven runs before being replaced by junior Mikey Gray. 

Gray was able to hold off the Blue Devils going three and two-thirds innings allowing one run on three hits with two walks and striking out five. 

After a quiet start for the Scouts, they were able to get on the board in the bottom of the third thanks to a single from junior Leo Anderson. Sophomore Gianni Royer also scored after an error from Warren cutting into the Blue Devil lead. After senior Rocco Royer drew a two-out walk, senior Sammy Long was hit by a pitch giving the Scouts three runs that inning.

Junior Cesar Hernandez relieved Gray in the top of the fifth and again was able to hold the Blue Devils. Hernandez went two innings allowing no runs and striking out three.

The Scouts were able to start a rally with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Rocco Royer started it off with a single to left and freshman Tommie Aberle and junior Jonmarc Ranallo both drew walks which opened the door for Gianni Royer to drive them in with a two-out single to left.

Junior Tristan Kerr led off the bottom of the sixth with the Scouts trailing 8-5 and he singled on a 1-0 count. Rocco Royer stayed hot at the plate and sent a double over the left fielder’s head driving in Kerr cutting the Blue Devil lead to two.

Senior Ryan Cassidy came into relief in the top of the seventh and was able to shut down Warren once again. Cassidy went one inning and struck out two letting up no runs.

The Scouts entered the bottom of the seventh trailing the Blue Devils 8-6 and as the sun continued to set, they needed to make something happen quickly before the sunset. 

The Scouts started out strong as Aberle singled on a 1-2 pitch up the middle, beating out the throw to first. Following Aberle, Ranallo reached on another walk. Gianni Royer was able to lay down a sacrifice bunt putting the tying run in scoring position with just one out. 

After watching the first pitch go by, Wilson Irvin sent a line drive into the right-center field gap and after taking a quick look behind his back, Irvin rounded second and slid into third tying the game. This was able to set up two intentional walks and eventually Rocco Royer’s walk-off single.

⁦@BaseballLfhs⁩ comes back from an early 8-0 deficit to beat Warren 9-8. ⁦@wilsonirvin11⁩ with a huge two run double and @roccoroyer23 finishes it off with a walk-off single. pic.twitter.com/5SsC55kbQ7

— LFHS Baseball (@BaseballLfhs) April 17, 2021

Friday night was an all-around team effort for Scouts. Seeing contributions from everyone both in the batting order but also on the mound as well. The Scouts were paced by Anderson and Rocco Royer who both collected three hits and were followed closely by Gianni Royer and Irvin who each had two hits. Both Royers, Irvin, Anderson, and Long all collected RBIs for the Scouts as well.

The Scouts continue conference play on Monday and Tuesday as they have a two-game series against rival Stevenson.