Hinsdale Central ace blanks Andrew
By David Surico | Chicago Tribune | March 27, 2006 | 6:08 PM CST

Nick Kurash lost his No. 5 jersey in the off-season. But even those without a scorecard could have quickly figured out that the guy on the mound Monday against Andrew was Hinsdale Central's ace.

The senior, wearing No. 38 without a name on the back, struck out 10 without a walk and allowed only one hit in a 2-0, complete game victory over seventh-ranked Andrew Monday in Hinsdale. The Miami (Ohio) recruit whiffed seven of the first nine Thunderbolts (1-2), including the side in the second inning. He used his two-seam fastball, knuckle-curve and cutter/slider to near perfection.

"They were working good today. I felt real good out there," said Kurash, who threw 96 pitches and improved to 2-0. "I could have gone longer if I wanted to. He (Coach Tom Dorrance) told me it was my call if I wanted to stay in or not. I felt real strong."

Junior Brett Suchy gave the Red Devils (3-0) the only runs they needed with a 2-out, 2-run single to right in the bottom of the first.

"I had two strikes on me and I figured a curveball was coming. I was thinking go to the right side and I did," Suchy said. "We knew they were ranked. We knew we had to come prepared. We know we're a good team too. I think this was a great opportunity for us to get our name out there."

Andrew's Scott Foley broke up the no-hitter with a sharp grounder to the right of second base with one out in the fourth.

"He (Kurash) threw strikes all game, but we've got to make the adjustments," said Foley, who hit a 1-0 pitch. "He started everyone out with a fastball to get ahead of them. Then he usually threw a curveball. He stayed with junk until he got behind and then he came with a fastball again."

dsurico@tribune.com
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