H-F Keeps the Line Moving Against Bloom

The Homewood-Flossmoor baseball team kept it simple against Bloom Township in the finale game of the regular season for both teams.

“The coaches told me to see the pitch, hit the pitch, and run very fast," H-F's Anfernee Roberts said. "That is all I had to do."

Roberts followed that concept to a tee in helping the Vikings defeat the Blazing Trojans 14-2 in six innings on Saturday.

Roberts reached base all four times. He finished with two hits and two walks. He also had two RBIs, scored three runs and even stole a base.

“The coaches have faith in me, so they put me in the lineup," Roberts said. "I knew I had to get the job done."

The Vikings finished the regular season with a 19-11 record, while the Blazing Trojans finished 7-19. Both teams were missing some of their regulars as the Vikings sat some of their starters and the Blazing Trojans were without head coach Job Gunderson.

The first three innings were scoreless as both Blazing Trojan pitcher Renato Perez and the Vikings' Aaron Johnson looked good.

“Renato actually pitched the ball real well for us," Blazing Trojans' acting coach Erich Stockwell said. "He kept us in the game, gave us a little pep on the mound by throwing a lot of strike. (He was( giving us a chance to stay in the game."

The second time around the order proved to be the downfall for Perez as the Vikings had eight batters in a row reach base in a seven-run fourth inning. Elon Chamberlain singled, Ryan Redmond doubled and Roberts singled to knock in Chamberlain and Redmond to make it 2-0 Vikings.

Jon Diemer walked before Jeff Williams hit a routine groundball to shortstop Johnny Banuelos. Banuelos' throw to second was wide, allowing Roberts to score. Diemer and Williams each moved up a base, putting H-F runners on second and third.

Pat Sheehan doubled to knock in both Diemer and Williams, making it 5-0, Michael Hurley followed with a double of his own to drive in pinch-runner David Fatoki, making it 6-0, and Chris Michaels knocked in Hurley with a single.

“Obviously, a few plays in the game hurt us to keep the game going the way we wanted it to," Stockwell said. "But Renato (Perez)  gave us a chance and looked sharp."

Redmond went 3-for-4, including two doubles, and scored three runs.

“We went up to the plate with the approach to be aggressive," he said. "If we see a fastball, hit it hard. For the most part, that is what we did."

Vikings starter Aaron Johnson pitched well for four innings, giving up just two hits, including a two-run homer by Bloom Township's Brian Hankey.

“I wanted to focus on my location, and I did my best to hit the spots,” Johnson said.

He was making his first start. Normally, he comes on in relief. So, he knew it was important to get ahead of the Blazing Trojan hitters early.

“I knew I had to come in and throw strikes,” Johnson said.

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