Another NAC title for Westminster Christian
Westminster Christian's baseball program must seem like the New York Yankees of the 1920s to the rest of the still-growing Northeastern Athletic Conference.
The dynasty continued on Wednesday when the Warriors put the final touches on their sixth NAC title in the league's sixth season of existence by clobbering a decent but young Luther North squad 9-1 at Warrior Field in Elgin.
Unlike 2014 or 2010, the Warriors don't have to share this league crown. Westminster Christian (14-11, 10-1) clinched the outright title in the 7-team league with a game to play.
"From Day 1 your goal is to come in and win conference," said Westminster senior catcher Peter Hahn, who went 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI. "We're starting to win some games here. Hopefully, we can keep it going in the postseason and see what we can do."
Luther North (14-6-1, 6-3-1) jumped on top with a first-inning run against winning pitcher Justin Rasmussen (5-1). With two outs, Mitch O'Connell lined a double over the head of the Westminster Christian left fielder, a freshman who was filling in for senior Frank Anguilo, who was scratched due to the flu, according to coach Steven Gallaher.
The Warriors responded with 9 runs on 8 hits, and they capitalized on 3 Luther North errors that facilitated 6 unearned runs.
Westminster scored 3 runs in the second inning when consecutive catchable flyballs off the bats of Adam Greene and Tyler Mamrot fell for two-out, RBI singles.
"We can hit and pitch with anybody, but it's been defensive breakdowns," Luther North coach Wayne Wenzel said
"It's good whenever we can get a hit down and capitalize on it," Mamrot said. "Stringing hits together is a good thing."
The Warriors moved to a 5-1 lead in the third inning. A one-out single to right field from Nathan Martinez against Luther North starting pitcher Logan Hammerberg (3-3) drove in Luke Weston and Hahn.
"I thought I got a little bit under it, but I was happy it (fell)," Martinez said
Hahn's run-scoring single made it 6-1 in the fifth inning, and his 2-run double keyed a 3-run sixth inning for a team that this week was named the No. 1 seed at the upcoming Class 2A Aurora Christian regional.
"We beat everyone in the regional except for St. Ed's and we play them next Wednesday on Senior Night for both teams at Trout Park," Gallaher said. "We've been hitting the ball well. We've been really focused on attacking the ball at the beginning of the game."
Rasmussen held the Wildcats to an earned run on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 8 in 6 innings.