Walsh pitches Glenbard East past Naperville Central

There’s no place like home, but Glenbard East pitcher Pat Walsh feels pretty comfortable at the Naperville Central baseball field.

For the second straight season he threw a complete-game road victory against the Redhawks, a 3-2 win Wednesday afternoon that prevented a Naperville Central series sweep.

“They’re a storied program, so it’s great to say we beat them here twice,” Walsh said.

The senior allowed just five hits, struck out four and set the Redhawks down in order in four innings.

His toughest inning was the seventh. He took a 3-1 lead into it, and the Redhawks found the hits that had eluded them most of the game. Ian Lewandowski turned a 1-2 pitch into a single to left. With one out Brian Schiemann also singled to left, which moved Lewandowski into scoring position. Bryce Kirk then connected on the third basehit of the inning to score Lewandowski. A double play ended the game.

“I love being in pressure situations. They were seeing the ball and I was missing a few spots. This was a great series. Although we lost the first two, it will help us in the long run. We learned how to battle,” Walsh said.

The Rams (9-7, 1-2 DuPage Valley Conference) took a 2-0 lead in the first. Danny Ryan started the game with an infield hit. A fielding error put Joe Kotch on base and brought Ryan home. Chris Milligan’s RBI double-play groundball scored Kotch.

The Redhawks (7-5, 2-1) got on the scoreboard for the first time in the fourth. Leadoff hitter Jimmy Nashert singled to center, stole second and moved to third on a wilid pitch. Nick Lopez’s sacrifice fly brought him home.

Glenbard East made it 3-1 in the fifth. Greg Ludwig led off by reaching base on a fielding error and scored D.J Spear’s single. Nick Thomas doubled to right in the fifth for Naperville Central with two outs, but was left stranded.

“I’m very proud of the way the guys came out and battled. I don’t think there’s a more solid team one through nine than (Naperville Central),” said Glenbard East coach Joel Pelland.

While Walsh pitched well, starting Naperville Central pitcher Jeff Schank also went the distance and had a solid outing, also allowing just five hits and striking out four.

Naperville Central went into Wednesday’s contest having scored 19 runs against the Rams during the first two games of the series. Coach Mike Stock liked what he saw in the seventh inning but obviously wishes there had been more innings like that Wednesday.

“I’m excited. The kids are working hard and the pitching was great again today. I just wish we could have helped him (Schank) more. Walsh was tough the whole day. We played a good team today,” he said.