CARY – All that was riding on Prairie Ridge pitcher Ben Harris’ performance was a share of the Fox Valley Conference championship, while facing a potential first-round MLB draft pick with pro scouts in the stands behind home plate.

No big deal.

Harris admitted to feeling some nerves early in the game as he battled C-G ace Quinn Priester. But no one could tell. Harris fired a three-hitter as the Wolves defeated C-G, 4-0, Thursday to become FVC co-champions with Huntley.

“That matchup was amazing,” said Harris, who struck out eight and walked one. “It was an honor going against Quinn there, seeing all those scouts out there looking at him. I just tried to slow myself down.”

Harris was adept at spotting his curveball and the Wolves’ defense played flawless behind him, sparked by three standout plays from second baseman Jacob Reichert.

Prairie Ridge (25-9, 18-6) needed to sweep C-G (19-13, 13-11) to tie Huntley for the FVC title. After wins on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Thursday game against Priester, who hits 93 to 94 mph on speed guns, looked like the toughest.

“Ben Harris was special today,” Wolves coach Glen Pecoraro said. “He’s going up against a potential first-rounder and he gave up three hits. It’s a real special win.”

Reichert drew a walk to lead off the third inning, then Brennan Kelly bunted and C-G third baseman Jacob Duncan threw to second in time to force Reichert. Shortstop LJ Waco did not maintain contact with the base, however; and Reichert was safe. Dom Listi bunted for a hit to load the bases and Keegan Garis singled up the middle to score one run. Listi then came around and scored on a wild pitch.

Prairie Ridge tacked on two more in the fifth inning with the aid of two more errors.

“Our pitching was amazing (this week),” Reichert said. “Our bats were great in the first two games. Our defense was great. Every aspect of the game we played great.”

Priester lined a shot up the middle against Harris in the first for a single, but the Trojans did not get another hit until the sixth inning.

“We hit some balls hard today and they made some fantastic plays,” Trojans coach Ryan Passaglia said. “You have to give them credit. They played fantastic these last three days. I told our guys I’m encouraged by what I saw today. We hit some balls hard.”

Priester, who struck out nine, walked two, allowed five hits and no earned runs, thought he had his best stuff against the Wolves.

“Today was my best outing,” he said. “I had a really good break on my breaking ball. My two-seam was disappearing on guys. I had velocity and it was a beautiful day, probably my best day. Ben’s a great pitcher and with him on the mound, we knew we were going to have to put some good at-bats together.”

STAR OF THE GAME

Ben Harris, Prairie Ridge, sr., P

Harris threw a three-hitter and struck out eight to lead the Wolves to a victory over Cary-Grove and a share of the Fox Valley Conference championship.

THE NUMBER

86: Pitches thrown by Harris.

AND ANOTHER THING...

There were about 15 major league baseball scouts on hand to see C-G’s Quinn Priester throw his final home game. Priester is projected to go in the first or second round of MLB’s First-Year Player Draft, which begins June 3.

Prairie Ridge 4, Cary-Grove 0

Cary-Grove 000 000 0 – 0 3 3

Prairie Ridge 002 020 x – 4 6 0

WP: Ben Harris (7IP, 3H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 8K). LP: Quinn Priester (5IP, 5H, 4R, 0ER, 2BB, 9K).

Top hitters–Prairie Ridge: Keegan Garis 2-4 (RBI, R), Luke Fiantago 1-1 (SB), Brennan Kelly 1-1, Dom Listi (1-3 (R). Cary-Grove: Ryan Weaver 1-2, Quinn Priester 1-3, Drew Stengren 1-3.