Naperville N. bats break loose
No offense, but Naperville North will gladly take a win like Saturday's.
After scoring just 4 runs each in wins over Waubonsie Valley and Benet earlier this week, the Huskies' bats busted out to beat Marmion 16-1.
Elliott Ganet homered in a 6-run first inning, and Mike Nodzenski also went deep in the Huskies' 15-hit barrage.
"We've been having a tough couple of games to start the season, hitting-wise," Ganet said. "It was nice to finally come through."
Naperville North (6-2), which beat Benet 4-3 on Friday with 2 runs in the seventh, came out hot early against Marmion pitcher Brian Burns.
Jordan Tassio walked to lead off the first, and Devon Moon doubled him home. Ganet then launched a 1-0 pitch well out over the 390-foot fence in center field to make it 3-0.
"It was nice to see Elliott drive the ball," Huskies coach Carl Hunckler said. "He's hit the ball hard the last few days but hasn't had anything to show for it."
David McWilliams later added an RBI single, and Tom Walsh finished off the big first inning with a 2-run double.
Ganet, who went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI, doubled in Moon in the second. Nodzenski made it 12-1 in the third with a 3-run homer, also to center.
"It warmed up today," Nodzenski said, "and we were aggressive at the plate. We got off to a really good start and kept the momentum going."
That was more than enough offense for Nodzenski. Making his second start of the season, the Huskies senior struck out six in four innings and allowed just a run on 2 hits. Nodzenski (1-0) struck out the side in the second inning.
"I thought I definitely threw better than my first start," Nodzenski said. "I kept the ball down pretty well. Overall I was able to throw strikes and get my off-speed pitches over."
Marmion (2-4) scored its only run in the third. Matt Milroy tripled with two outs and scored on Tim Milroy's single.
Walsh and Moon both went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI for Naperville North. Derek Locascio was 2-for-2 and also drove in 2 runs.
"This is really the first nice day we've played. It was nice to see our offense get going and we started to drive the ball," Hunckler said. "Every time we've hit the ball hard other days, it's been against the wind."
-- Joshua Welge
Neuqua Valley 8, WW South 4:ŒA 5-run top of the first inning helped the Wildcats (3-2) to the victory in the consolation bracket of the Schaumburg Flyers Classic. Jason David's 3-run homer led the offense. Craig Provow earned the win. The Tigers, who lost to Jacobs 5-2 in a suspended game earlier in the day, fell to 1-5.
Naperville Central 7, Stevenson 5:ŒLate 2-run doubles by Nick Linne and Marc Mantucca gave the visiting Redhawks (4-2) the nonconference victory. Winning pitcher Andy Pucher (2-0) fired 2 scoreless innings of relief.
Lake Park 8, Glenbard North 2:ŒBryan Woods went 3-for-3 with a double and 4 RBI for the Lancers (3-1) in their nonconference win over Glenbard North (0-2). Brian Konecke (1-0) pitched 5 innings for the win.
West Chicago 9, Elk Grove 8:ŒThe host Wildcats (2-2) rallied from a 7-4 deficit by scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. James Eckler's second triple cleared the bases in the frame. Tyler Christ added a homer. Jordan Long (1-1) won in relief.
Lisle 13, Immaculate Conception 3:ŒJon Surber doubled, homered and drove in 4 runs for the visiting Lions (4-2) in their nonconference win. Winning pitcher Jon Kolosky had 3 hits and 2 RBI. Frank Carpanzano went 3-for-4 for the Knights (2-4).
Wheaton North 9, Streamwood 5:ŒJack DeAno went 3-for-5 with a double, homer and 2 RBI for the visiting Falcons (5-1). Winning pitcher Aric Dama (1-1) blasted a 3-run home run.
Montini 14, Thornridge 0:ŒThe visiting Broncos (3-2) broke through for 7 runs in the top of the fifth inning to end their nonconference win early. Winning pitcher Andrew Brauer (1-1) went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI. Chris Briggs added a 2-run home run.
New Trier 3, Benet 2:ŒBryan Roberts (1-1) struck out 15, walked one and scattered 4 hits for the host Redwings (4-2), who lost despite a 2-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning.
York 17-4, Glenbard West 2-7:ŒAfter Joe Mellone's 2-run homer powered the Dukes (2-3, 1-2) to a five-inning win in the opener, host Glenbard West (3-5, 1-4) salvaged Game 2 of the West Suburban Silver doubleheader. Jesse Condie went 3-for-4 and J.D. Macleary had a 2-run double. Blake O'Brien (2-1) was the complete-game winning pitcher.
Downers North 13-15, Hinsdale Central 7-5:ŒThe host Trojans (5-1, 3-0) swept in the West Suburban Silver as Sean Flanagan went 3-for-3 in the opener and won on the mound in the second game. Marco Diaz went 3-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBI in Game 2.
Downers South 12-5, Morton 7-1:ŒJared Culver launched a 3-run homer in the opener and went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI in Game 2 as the host Mustangs (7-2, 4-0) swept in the West Suburban Gold. Sean Enright went 4-for-4 in the first game. Chris Beranek (2-1) and Mike Wido (2-0) were the winning pitchers.