Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Vernon Hills). They put the hurt on the Maine East Blue Demons with a sharp 16-5 win on Monday. The Cougars not only won on Monday, but they posted their biggest win since April 19, 2024 (when they won 14-2).
Zach Gilfand looked comfortable as he tossed 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Nate Dugan, who went 3-for-6 with four RBI, two runs, and one double. Those two runs gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of DJ Biede, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with two runs, one double, and one RBI.
Vernon Hills kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Cougars
| 04/21/25 @ Maine East | 16-5 |
| 04/19/25 vs Niles North | 1-7 |
| 04/15/25 @ Niles North | 2-5 |
| 04/14/25 vs Niles North | 6-7 |
| 04/12/25 vs Lake Forest | 1-0 |
Vernon Hills' victory ended an 11-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 5-12. As for Maine East, they are on a seven-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 2-10.
Vernon Hills will have a chance to go back-to-back against the Blue Demons: the pair's next game is a rematch scheduled at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
