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Wright sets record, beats St. Charles East

St. Charles North's 4-1 victory over St. Charles East Tuesday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva was one that was at least 10 years in the making for North Stars senior Cory Wright.

Wright, a left-hander, pitched a 2-hit complete game as the North Stars (15-4, 8-3) defeated the Saints (12-5, 7-3) for the first time since 2012.

“Our last win over (St. Charles) East came my freshman year when I was on varsity,” said Wright, who raised his record to 4-0 with a 114-pitch outing that featured 8 strikeouts and included a stretch where he retired 12 consecutive batters.

“I pitched in this game here last year and got a tough break at the end there (North Stars' loss) so revenge is pretty sweet.”

While eclipsing Zach Hirsch's career win record with his 17th victory, Wright admittedly had been thinking of this start for a long time.

“It's kind of a big day for me,” said Wright. “This has been my dream game since I was 8 years old watching Zach Hirsch do this. Growing up, I idolized the guy (Hirsch). Honestly, to even be mentioned in the same sentence as him is incredible.”

North Stars coach Todd Genke wasn't the least bit surprised with Wright's big-time performance.

“I've said it 100 times — he's the ultimate competitor,” said Genke. “He told me before the game, 'Coach, don't even think about coming out to the mound because I'm not coming out.' He was phenomenal tonight.”

St. Charles North grabbed a 2-0 lead in the fourth with the help of an unusual play.

Leadoff hitter Kyle Novotney got hit by a pitch and stole second before John LeGare rolled a grounder to the left side of the Saints' infield.

Shortstop Jimmy Dale attempted to nail the runner trying to advance to third but the low throw skipped past third baseman Reid Olson and caromed off the dugout fence. Olson retrieved the ball and tossed it back to Dale covering third well ahead of the sliding Novotney for what appeared to be the first out of the inning.

However, umpires called obstruction on the play, thus sending Novotney across with the game's first run.

“Their kid basically put both his knees down on the ground and didn't let my baserunner get to the base,” said Genke. “It was the absolute right call.”

“It is the rule,” said Saints coach Len Asquini. “That's the way it goes. But if we make that throw, he's out without having to throw it back (to third). It's all on us.”

Sophomore Zach Mettetal drove in the North Stars' second run on a groundout.

St. Charles East cut the deficit in half in the sixth as Anthony Adduci laced a 2-out double and courtesy runner Brendan Benvenuti raced home from second on a wild pitch.

The North Stars answered with 2 insurance runs in their half of the sixth thanks in part to back-to-back singles from Zach Mettetal and Tyler Madsen, an infield throwing error and a passed ball.

“Getting those two runs in the sixth was huge,” said Genke, whose team bounced back from Monday's 9-inning loss to Neuqua Valley.

“I'm really proud of my kids because we had a really tough loss yesterday.”

Wright helped make it happen with a record-setting effort.

“Zach Hirsch is one of the best pitchers to ever come through our program,” said Genke. “Cory was basically like his little brother. He looked up to him. For Cory to break the record tonight against St. Charles East where Zach pitched when he was here, it's pretty exciting for him.”

Mick Vyzral (3-2) suffered the tough-luck loss for the Saints despite just giving up 3 hits.

“We're pitching well but we've got to play defense,” said Asquini. “Hopefully, the offense comes. We've scored 1-2-1 (4 runs total) in our last 3 games. If you're going to do that, you better make all your (defensive) plays.”

John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comSt. Charles North's Kyle Khoury is tagged out by St. Charles East second baseman Jacob Clodi when he tried to stretch a single to left field into a double in the second inning Tuesday at 5th Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comThe sun sets as St. Charles North and St. Charles East play Tuesday at 5th Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comSt. Charles North starting pitcher Cory Wright winds up against St. Charles East Tuesday at 5th Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.
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