Something for everyone as Naperville North, Wheaton North split
Naperville North's baseball team set the tone for the opener but not quite the entire doubleheader.
After the Huskies rolled to a 15-0 five-inning win in Game 1, Wheaton North bounced back for a 7-5 win in Saturday's second DuPage Valley Conference game at Pfund Stadium in Carol Stream.
Not much went right for the Falcons (6-6, 4-1) in the opener as Naperville North struck for 8 third-innings runs to build a 12-0 advantage. Wheaton North quickly took control of the second game, though, jumping to a 5-0 first-inning lead.
The Huskies (3-8, 3-2) rallied within 7-5 and put the tying run on first base in the top of the seventh, but Jackson Gray finished up the complete-game win for Wheaton North.
"They were hitting the ball all over the place that first game, so it was important that we rebound," said Falcons third baseman Erik Mueller. "We needed to get a good mojo going for the second game, and we just came out firing."
Team hitting was a major issue as Naperville North dropped its first six games of the season. Evidenced by Jack Ginzkey on Saturday, that's turned around in the last week.
The senior second baseman went 4-for-4 with a double, triple and 4 RBI in the opener, then added 2 hits, another triple and 2 RBI in the second game. Brendan Lacey, Game 1 winning pitcher Jack Whitley, Matt Schwartz and Cliff Vickers combined for 9 hits and 8 RBI at the top of the order in the opener.
"First game we came out great, and I think that really got the confidence going," Ginzkey said. "It feels a lot better now. I feel like we're going to be a different team the rest of the season."
Mueller doubled in a run in the bottom of the first. Chris Donahue and D.J. Hagen also drove in runs while Rocco Gambaiani singled in 2 runs. Gray struck out 10 while gutting out the victory.
"We really needed to shake off that first game," said Falcons coach Dan Schoessling. "We didn't feel too comfortable after seeing the way they swung the bats, but Jackson battled all day long."
Both teams will try to win their second straight DVC series in Monday's finale.
"We looked so good in that first game, and we came back and competed in the second game," said Naperville North coach Carl Hunckler. "That's what we're most proud of. We had the opportunity."
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