Box Score COD's first-ever visit to Schaumburg's Wintrust Field paid off handsomely Tuesday afternoon with an impressive 10-5 victory over No. 8 Oakton in Region 4 baseball.
 
The Chaps improved their record to 9-2 as they now prepare for Friday's doubleheader at home against Waubonsee. First pitch is 2 p.m. and the game can be viewed on livestream at www.gochapsgo.com.
 
Heavy hitting paved the way
The Chaps got going in the first inning, striking the Owls with five consecutive singles, culminating in a two-run inning. Singles from Carson Roberts, Jeremy Conforti, and Seth Borden loaded the bases, and Cliff Vickers and Joe Cosenza followed with run-scoring singles each for a 2-0 lead.
 
Back on track
Seth Borden, who led the Chaps and finished the fourth in the nation last year in home runs with 14, make sure his first bomb of 2022 counted, connecting on a grand slam that capped a six-run fourth. He finished with a two-hit game. A.J. Taylor joined Borden with a multiple-hit day that included a double in the sixth.
 
On the mound
Freshman RHP Justin Lane was handed the start and the Plainfield native came through, striking out nine and walking only two in 5 2/3 innings. Relievers Evan Ryan (2 k's), Joe Titone (2 k's) and Ben Steiner (1 k) combined for 3 1/3 innings of two-run, five-hit relief.
 
Coach Bobby Wilson Says
"We competed hard today and it showed with timely hitting in the first. That effort set the tone with momentum and Justin followed up on the mound. He threw strikes, got ahead of hitters with an effective fastball and kept their hitters off-balance with his off-speed work. Seth barreled up a few the other day and when we needed the big hit, he did his part. Eight of nine starters got base hits and we hit the ball hard up and down the lineup. We got excellent work from our relievers. It was a good day and we hope we can build upon it as we get ready for a very busy April.''