(Summary by Karen Louie)

RED DEVILS LOSE THEIR QUEST FOR THEIR FIRST REGIONAL TITLE
SINCE 1958 TO THE RED WINGS 6-2.

The Red Devils played solid baseball, but the Red Wings were the better team today. Chase Murray started for the Red Devils, going two innings and allowing five runs, only three earned. He scattered five hits, struck out three, and walked one. Eric Binder came on in relief and went four innings. He gave up one run on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

The Red Wings took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, after a leadoff home run, a hit batsman, and an error on a deep fly ball. Hinsdale Central came right back in the top of the second, when Steve Pilcher singled to lead off and Christian Arquilla reached on an error by the third baseman. After a fielder's choice by Steve Landefeld, Griffin Baum doubled driving in Pilcher. In the bottom of the second Benet got that one back on a hit batsman and 2 singles. The Red Devils scored again in the third. Brandon Hillier led off with a single, but the next batter grounded into a double play. Brian Grzelakowski singled and stole second. Pilcher singled for the second time, driving in Grez. Arquilla also singled, but a strikeout ended the threat. The Red Wings scored one in the 3rd and another in the fifth, but the Red Devils were unable to put together a serious threat down the stretch, as Lewis held them scoreless for the final three innings.

This year's Hinsdale Central Red Devil varsity team is made up of outstanding young men. Despite not winning the regional title, this senior class and the juniors who supported them became a team to admire. They struggled through injuries to several key players during the season, but never gave up. They played all-out in the regional final and have nothing to regret. Hopefully, after the disappointment fades, they will realize how fortunate they are to have been on such a team and to have teammates who will be lifelong friends.