WHEATFIELD | Hanover Central had a combined no-hitter by Aaron Furman and Evan Garthus in a 17-0 win in five innings Wednesday over Calumet to cap two blowouts at the Class 3A Kankakee Valley Sectional.
K.V. eliminated Knox 15-3 in six innings in the opener and will face Hanover in Saturday’s first semifinal game at 11 a.m. before Rensselaer faces Andrean. The championship is at 6 p.m.
Furman worked 3 1/3 innings before Garthus relieved to get the final five outs.
“It’s the first year in 3A, and we wanted to start off good and we did,” Furman said.
Hanover coach Doug Nelson was unaware of the no-hitter even after the game.
“Throw strikes and let ‘em put it in play,” he said.
The Wildcats (19-10) scored 10 runs over the first four innings and added seven more in the fifth. Jesse Wilkening had two hits and a RBI, while Dan Stum added a single, a triple and a RBI.
"We got everybody into the game, and the people that pitched got some work and got some innings," Nelson said. “Survive and advance. This time of the year that's what it is.”
The Kougars (16-13) broke open a close game with a big 11-run inning in the sixth, highlighted by a 3-run double by Matt Berdine. K.V. had nine hits in the frame and benefited from three Knox (4-23) errors.
Zach DeFries, who had three hits on the night, added a run-scoring double in the uprising.
“We just came out and hit the ball,” DeFries said. “Basically, we thought it was going to be a close game until that inning, so that big inning definitely got us going.”
K.V. led just 4-3 after five innings.
“I knew from playing them the first time that (Blake) Bridgegroom was a good No. 1 for them,” Greenlee said. “He kept them in it for a long time. He’s a good pitcher and throws a good curve ball.
“We were able to get to him a little bit and had a couple things go our way.”
Sophomore starter Jack Miles settled down after allowing two unearned runs in the first inning. He had three 1-2-3 innings and threw just 80 pitches.
“Jack kept his pitch count down, and that will help us for Saturday,” Greenlee said. “I thought he was very effective.”
The Kougars have a lot of confidence when Miles (4-3) is on the mound.
“He’s been hot all year,” DeFries said. “He’s our best pitcher right now.”
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