Wright tosses another gem at Batavia

The list of accomplishments keeps growing for St. Charles North's Cory Wright.

Wright, a senior left-hander, enjoyed a near-perfect afternoon Tuesday as he pitched a 3-hit complete game and went 3-for-3 at the plate while lifting the North Stars (21-4, 15-3) to a 3-0 Upstate Eight Conference River Division victory over host Batavia (12-15, 11-8).

"Cory Wright just makes us go," said North Stars coach Todd Genke. "I've said it a few times. That kid is just phenomenal.

"He loves pitching over here. He pitched a couple years ago here as a sophomore and won 1-0."

Wright (7-0) benefited from his team's 3-run first against Batavia ace southpaw Evan Acosta (4-1), who struck out 12 while also going the distance.

"Going 3-for-3 obviously is a big boost of confidence but getting three runs in the first is huge for our team," said Wright. "It gives me so much cushion and confidence out there. I can throw pitches and get outs."

Brendan Joyce led off the game with an infield single, fighting off an 0-2 pitch to hit a slow roller that never reached the grass cut-out portion of the infield.

"That's how baseball is," said Genke. "Sometimes, those plays work for you and sometimes, they don't."

After Wright followed with an opposite-field single, John LeGare hit a grounder to shortstop Kyle Niemiec, who tossed the ball to second for the force out.

However, the return throw skipped past first baseman Luke Beckmann, allowing Joyce to score the game's first run while LeGare took second on the play.

Four pitches later, sophomore Tyler Mettetal smacked an RBI single to left-center to make it 2-0. Mettetal, who reached second on an outfield bobble, advanced to third on a groundout before scoring the third run on a wild pitch.

"We had an opportunity to get out of it (inning) with a double play ball and we threw the ball away," said Batavia coach Matt Holm. "Maybe it's a 1-0 game. We can't throw the ball around like that when we're facing a good pitcher."

"Getting those three runs early on with Cory (Wright) on the mound is such a confidence builder for us," said Genke.

Wright, who walked 1 and fanned 4, retired 11 of the first 12 batters while receiving help from his defense.

Sophomore shortstop Zach Mettetal made a leaping grab of a liner to rob Joey Gross to open the third inning while right fielder LeGare caught a sinking line drive off the bat of Tyler Kledzik for the first out in the fourth.

"I thought we played well defensively," said Genke. "In the infield, we made some plays and I thought the outfield (defense) was tremendous today. If he (LeGare) doesn't get that ball, it probably goes down the line for a triple."

"When we're on all cylinders, I feel we have one of the best defenses in the state," said Wright. "It's fun to pitch in front of these guys."

Batavia didn't have a runner in scoring position until the sixth but Wright retired Willie Firth on a deep fly to Joyce in center to leave Kledzik stranded at second.

"Even though we were up three, it felt like more runs just the way Cory was pitching," said Genke. "Number 20 on the mound is a big difference. He makes guys put balls in play because he's always around the plate."

Acosta retired 19 of the last 21 batters he faced during an impressive 101-pitch outing of his own.

"He was incredible," said Holm. "The thing about him is he gets stronger."

"It's tough to lose that one," admitted Acosta.

"Evan (Acosta) threw the ball well as well," said Genke. "He probably didn't deserve to lose. We got him early and that's what you have to do to beat a good kid on the mound."