Glenbard North finds comfort zone in extra innings

No one expected comfort in Monday's baseball game between Glenbard North and Wheaton North, especially not in the eighth inning.

But there it was, a moment of relaxation for Glenbard North in the form of a 6-run top of the eighth that led the Panthers to a 7-1 extra-inning DuPage Valley Conference win at Wheaton North.

Trailing 1-0 for most of the game, Glenbard North (9-5, 2-2) broke through for the tying run in the top of the seventh when Ryan Broviak singled home Anthony Keener, who led off with a double.

The Panthers then exploded for 6 runs in the eighth, the go-ahead run scoring on a bases-loaded walk to Rick Janokowicz. Ryan Sabalaskey's 3-run triple provided a burst of insurance, and RBI hits from Broviak and Dave Wolak added to the lead.

That was more than enough support for Panthers starting pitcher Andrew Bergmann (4-2), who needed only 91 pitches to roll through 8 innings of fine work. The junior scattered 7 hits but walked none while striking out six.

Bergmann seemed to thrive on the pressure of a pitchers' duel with Wheaton North sophomore Ed Norris (2-1), who also pitched into the eighth inning.

"It was really intense, but it was good to see my teammates come through with those 6 runs in the eighth," Bergmann said. "That gave me a good feeling going into the bottom of the eighth, especially with the top of their lineup coming up."

Wheaton North (12-3, 3-1) scored its lone run in the first inning when Mike Small led off with a single and eventually came home on Justin Swider's RBI single. The Panthers converted two double plays including in the fourth inning on a popped up bunt where they doubled off a runner on third base.

From the fifth inning on, the Falcons advanced only one runner to second base.

"We didn't execute in a couple of situations, and their guy threw a heck of a game," said Wheaton North coach Dan Schoessling. "It was a pretty well-played game, we just couldn't seem to get anything going."

Sabalaskey, Broviak, Wolak, Chris Caliva and Jake Kline each had 2 of the Panthers' 14 hits. Swider and Craig Berberich had 2 hits apiece for Wheaton North.

"We killed ourselves early in the game, and we never seem to give Bergmann the support he deserves," said Glenbard North coach Rich Smelko. "He threw well. He really kept those guys in check."