Long, Naperville North shut out Waubonsie Valley

Naperville North’s baseball team hopes it caught a glimpse of the future on Wednesday.

The young Huskies played their best game of the season behind Mariano Long’s 5-hitter, blanking visiting Waubonsie Valley 2-0 in nonconference action.

Lone runs in the fourth and sixth innings were the difference-makers in a well-pitched game by both sides. While Long struck out seven and walked one in a 92-pitch complete game, Waubonsie Valley left-hander Joey Cuzzone scattered 6 hits over 6 innings and allowed 1 earned run.

“It was one of those days where I felt good in the bullpen,” said Long, one of eight non-senior starters in the Huskies’ lineup. “We had a rough start to the beginning of the season, but I think we’ve got a young squad and I think we’re going to have a great year.”

With the game scoreless through 3½ innings, Naperville North (3-3) broke through for the game-winning run in the bottom of the fourth. Long led off with a single and, after courtesy runner Jack Braakman was sacrificed to second by Alex Moss, Conner Adamski doubled to left to drive in the run.

Long set up the second run as well with a leadoff double to start the sixth. Braakman scored on a two-base infield error.

“Overall it was just one of those where you had to manufacture runs because of the wind and stuff,” said Huskies coach Carl Hunckler. “We were a little bit more successful than them.”

Waubonsie Valley (0-5) played well in defeat but couldn’t come up with a key hit when given the chance. Of the Warriors’ seven baserunners on the day, four were stranded in scoring position, one was picked off first base, and another was doubled off second base on a line drive.

Warriors left fielder Mike Murphy had a nice day at the plate from the leadoff spot, going 3-for-3 with a double.

Adamski went 2-for-3 for Naperville North and also put down one of two sacrifice bunts the Huskies converted.

“We hit the ball hard, they made some defensive plays,” said Waubonsie Valley coach Dan Fezzuoglio. “That’s just baseball, you know? When things aren’t going your way, you have to focus in even more. We need someone to really get the big hit.”