Prep Baseball: Bulldogs rally past Vernon Hills

The weather was chilly Friday at Rent One Park. Harrisburg's offense wasn't.

The Bulldogs rallied to knock off Vernon Hills 11-6 in 40 degree temps at the minor league home of the Miners.

Cooper Patterson got his first win of the season, coming on in relief and throwing a four hitter over the last 5 1/3 innings. Patterson allowed no runs, while walking just two.

Bryce Emery got the start and despite giving up no hits over 1 1/3 innings, allowed four runs on five walks and Patrick Bittle came on in relief of Emery, finishing 1/3 and allowing two runs on two hits.

Harrisburg put up six runs on two hits in the bottom first inning with Austin Hefner driving in a pair and after a pair of bases loaded walks that scored two more, Emery singled to scored two.

Vernon Hills put up a five-spot in the second inning to tie the score at six, chasing Emery and Bittle in place of Patterson, who held his ground after the second.

In the bottom of the second inning, Britton Riden singled to drive in both Noah Vallette and Hefner, who previously reached on a pair of walks and in the third inning, with one out, Vallette singled to score Bittle, who previously singled and moved up on an error and a stolen base. Later, Hefner tripled and scored Vallette and after Presley Gouch was hit by a pitch, Tyler Lightner came through with a base knock to score Hefner.

On the day, Emery and Riden were each 2-for-4 with Riden driving in three and Emery had two RBI.

Bittle, Vallette, Hefner and Lightner all had one hit.

Harrisburg is scheduled to play Pleasant Plains today (Monday) at 4 p.m. at SIU's Abe Martin Field. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs are slated to pay Plainfield North at Dorris Heights, starting at 4 p.m.