Baseball: Lake Park scratches out key DVC win over Naperville Central
For all the possible scenarios in the DuPage Valley Conference baseball standings, Lake Park knew none of it mattered without a win on Monday.
The Lancers took care of some critical business with a 3-1 victory over Naperville Central in Roselle in the opener of a huge three-game series.
Lake Park (19-9, 14-8) and the Redhawks (20-10, 14-8) are tied for second in the DVC with a Tuesday game in Naperville and a Thursday finale in Roselle to close the conference season.
Waubonsie Valley (21-9, 15-7) is alone in first place after Monday's win over Wheaton North. The Warriors clinch a share of the title with a win over the Falcons on Tuesday or Wednesday and can clinch outright by winning both.
Behind Jim McDonald's gutty 6 innings on the mound and a 2-run bottom of the fifth, the Lancers got the win they absolutely needed.
"That was probably the most pumped up I've ever been for a game," McDonald said. "We knew what was on the line. It puts a little bit more pressure on, but I enjoy the pressure. Especially with a group like this behind you."
McDonald twice stranded the bases loaded, and stranded 11 Naperville Central runners overall. He also picked off runners on first and second base to get out of a third-inning jam. It helped the Lancers stay in a scoreless tie through three innings against Naperville Central starter Zac Bianucci.
Brody Thompson coaxed a bases-loaded walk to give Lake Park a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth, but Jon Barker singled home the tying run for Naperville Central in the top of the fifth.
Lake Park put runners on second and third to start the bottom of the fifth when McDonald was hit by a pitch and Colin Fowich singled. Both eventually scored on wild pitches.
"Everything's playoff baseball for us going forward," said Redhawks coach Mike Stock. "Everyone battled out there. We just need to get back at it tomorrow."
Lancers ace Connor Cook closed out the win in the seventh inning. After surrendering a leadoff single, Cook struck out the next three batters.
A.J. Ackerley had a pair of hits for the Lancers while Jack Hughes did the same for Naperville Central.
"We had to get the first one, because now it give us an opportunity," said Lancers coach Dan Colucci. "That's what's fun about this. We get to battle again."
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