Wright's 1-hitter hancuffs Schaumburg

St. Charles North's Cory Wright added to his list of superlatives Monday afternoon.

Wright, a senior left-hander, needed just 64 pitches to fire a 1-hit complete game during the North Stars' 7-0 Class 4A regional championship victory over eighth-seeded Schaumburg (20-14-1) on the Saxons' home field.

While improving his record to 9-0, Wright retired 17 consecutive hitters to start the game and wound up facing 22 batters - 1 over the minimum - leading the top-seeded North Stars (32-4) to their second straight regional crown.

"The competitiveness in that kid is second to none," North Stars coach Todd Genke said of Wright, who recorded his school-record 22nd career mound win. "He just wants the ball. He wants to be in the middle of the action. Our kids feed off that.

"He's a special player. I'm cherishing these moments because we're seeing history here."

Wright, who didn't yield a walk and fanned 4, received plenty of defensive support from sophomore shortstop Zach Mettetal and junior third baseman Luke Corcoran.

"It's easy to pitch quickly and hit your spots when you've got defense," said Wright. "You're not worrying about striking guys out when you've got Zach Mettetal at shortstop. He was phenomenal over there today."

Mettetal flawlessly fielded 6 groundballs, including a second-inning gem that saw him range toward the middle of the diamond to rob the Saxons' Andrew Ralston of a 1-out base hit.

Corcoran, meanwhile, successfully handled 4 grounders, including an inning-ending stab of a hard-hit ball by Chris Broccolino in the sixth.

"It's big-time to have those guys over there," Wright said of Mettetal and Corcoran. "Any time a ball is hit over there, you're like, 'OK, that's an out.' It's unbelievable pitching in front of these guys."

St. Charles North grabbed a 1-0 lead on a 2-out, third-inning RBI double by sophomore Tyler Mettetal, who went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.

The North Stars put the game out of reach with a 4-run fourth that included infield singles by John LeGare (3-for-4), Corcoran and Tyler Mettetal, an RBI base hit from senior Tyler Madsen and Wright's clutch 2-out, 2-run single off Saxons starting pitcher Brendan Beck.

"I knew he was mixing it up to me," said Wright. "I sat back on a (2-2) fastball. It was a timely hit and I felt good."

Wright carried a perfect game into the sixth before senior Christian Spitelli reached on a 2-out single - a high chopper that hopped over Corcoran's outstretched glove at third.

"I'm kicking myself because I moved the third baseman (Corcoran) in right before he hit it over his head," said Genke. "I'm not sure if Luke would have gotten to that ball but …"

The North Stars, who finished with 14 base hits, added a pair of sixth-inning insurance runs.

"Our goal was to put the ball in play," said Tyler Mettetal, who recorded a school-record 15 strikeouts in the North Stars' 4-2 regional semifinal win over Streamwood last week.

"Give our kids a lot of credit because we had an optional Sunday practice, which is pretty unusual, and we had 12 kids come in," said Genke. "It shows the level of commitment and dedication they have to our hitting approach and plan."

Known as a fast worker, Wright certainly followed the script during the 81-minute contest.

"Cory did exactly what he has done all year," said Saxons coach Cal Seely. "He did an excellent job of being efficient. We didn't have any opportunities today."

"It's great playing behind Cory," said Tyler Mettetal. "It's fun to watch him pitch."

St. Charles North will face fourth-seeded Glenbard North in Wednesday's sectional semifinals at St. Charles East.

"We know this isn't our final destination," said Wright. "We know where we want to be at the end of the year and we know how we're going to get there."