United's Leffler was perfect on the mound in regional semifinal action; Red Storm advance
MONMOUTH — United High School senior Nolan Leffler tossed a perfect game Wednesday.
The lefty didn't allow any hits, runs or walks and fanned nine in a 10-0 five inning victory over West Central in Class 1A regional semifinal action.
Leffler, who dons No. 9 for the Red Storm, threw 56 pitches and 44 of them were strikes.
"Nolan has a pretty standard mix for a starting pitcher. He throws two fastballs (a two-seam and a four-seam), a changeup, and a curveball. Last night, he may have tried to mix in a knuckleball, as well," United coach Ryan Molek said Thursday morning via email. "Everything was working last night. He put the ball where ever he wanted.
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"When he establishes his fastball and works ahead in the count, he is very dangerous."
At the dish, Leffler went 1-for-1 with a double. He drew a pair of walks, had three runs batted in and scored twice. Leffler also had three steals.
United combined for six hits against West Central. Singles came from Parker Cassidy, Elliott Copeland, Cormaic Flynn, and Colin Jenks. Aidan Parkins hit a double. Flynn had three RBIs, and Copeland contributed an RBI.
Colin Jenks had a pair of steals, and AJ Jenks, Copeland and Parkins swiped a base apiece.
"It's always good to get a win," Molek said. "Nolan's performance was nothing short of outstanding, but we have to put that one behind us and move forward."
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The Red Storm (20-6) will face either the North Fulton Wildcats or Southeastern Suns at 11 a.m. Saturday in regional championship action.
And United's been down this road before. The Red Storm are vying for their second straight regional crown.
"We're happy to be where we are at — just have to take it one game at a time," Molek said.
Cougars advance to regional title bout
ROWVA/Williamsfield edged Peoria Christian 4-2 on Wednesday in a regional semi in Princeville.
The Cougars' Logan Kuberski allowed two runs on three hits and fanned six for a complete game win. The senior also went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, and junior Graham Wight had a double and two RBIs.
ROWVA/Williamsfield will face either Illini Bluffs or Midland at 11 a.m. Saturday for a regional championship.
REGIONAL SCHEDULES/SCORES
BASEBALL
Dunlap at Galesburg, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 25
Knankaee vs Game 1 Winner, 4:30 p.m.
Streator vs Geneseo, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 28
Regional championship, 11 a.m.
Farmington 8, Knoxville 6
Wednesday, May 18
Brimfield/Elmwood 6, Farmington 1
Thursday, May 19
Hamilton/Warsaw vs Midwest Central, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
Regional championship. 11 a.m.
Monmouth-Roseville 2, Illini West 1
Wednesday, May 18
Illinois Valley Central 6, Monmouth-Roseville 0
Macomb 5, Canton 4 (five innings)
Saturday, May 21
Illinois Valley Central vs Macomb, 11 a.m. (regional championship)
Lewistown 6, South Fulton 1
Havana 11, Illini Central 0
Wednesday, May 18
Lewistown 7, Abingdon-Avon 6
Thursday, May 19
Bushnell-Prairie City vs Havana, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
Regional championship, 10:30 a.m.
Stark County 7, Ridgewood 3
Annawan/Wethersfield 11, Galva 1 (six innings)
Wednesday, May 18
Henry-Senachwine 11, Stark County 1
Thursday, May 19
Peoria Heights vs Annawan/Wethersfield, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
Regional championship, 11 a.m.
ROWVA/Williamsfield 15, Princeville 5 (six innings)
Wednesday, May 18
ROWVA/Williamsfield 4, Peoria Christian 2
Thursday, May 19
Illini Bluffs vs Midland, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
Regional championship, 11 a.m.
West Central 11, West Prairie 1 (five innings)
Wednesday, May 18
United 10, West Central 0
Thursday, May 19
North Fulton vs Southeastern, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
Regional championship, 11 a.m.
SOFTBALL
Metamora vs Galesburg, 4:30 p.m.
Geneseo vs Streator, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 27
Regional championship, 4:30 p.m.
Monmouth-Roseville 5, Deer Creek Mackinaw 3
Tuesday, May 17
Brimfield/Elmwood 8, Monmouth-Roseville 1
Wednesday, May 18
Knoxville 1, Farmington 0
Friday, May 20
Knoxville vs Brimfield/Elmwood, 4:30 p.m. (regional championship)
West Prairie 11, Bushnell-Prairie City 5
Tuesday, May 17
West Central 11, West Prairie 0 (five innings)
Wednesday, May 18
North Fulton 6, United 1
Saturday, May 21
West Central vs North Fulton, 11 a.m. (regional championship)
Morrison 13, Galva 2
Tuesday, May 17
Ridgewood 4, Morrison 0
ROWVA/Williamsfield 7, Abingdon-Avon 2
Friday, May 20
Ridgewood vs ROWVA/Williamsfield, 4:30 p.m. (regional championship)
Matthew Wheaton can be reached at (309) 315-6073 or at mwheaton@register-mail.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewlwheaton
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: IHSA Baseball: United's Leffler tosses perfect game
