Softball: Waldusky’s clutch hit powers Neuqua Valley past Naperville Central in DVC opener
For a slugger, it’s not always easy to resist the urge to pull the ball, especially with the bases loaded. But Neuqua Valley first baseman Krista Waldusky did just that on Thursday and delivered the biggest hit of the game at Naperville Central.
With the Wildcats trailing 1-0 in the top of the third, Waldusky stepped to the plate with two outs and the bags loaded. With a cold wind blowing from left to right, she belted a deep ball the opposite way that landed just inside the right-field line, scoring three runs with a double. Waldusky added an RBI single in the fifth, but it was the bases-clearing double that had the biggest impact on Neuqua Valley’s 7-3 win to open DuPage Valley Conference play.
“I took an outside pitch to the right side which is something I have been working really hard on. I do have the tendency to try and pull it. So, it was staying accountable and putting in the work outside the game and in practice individually, to be able to produce that,” she said.
Waldusky, who walked in the second, would have had a perfect day at the plate if not for a diving catch by Redhawks shortstop Natalie Lau that robbed her of a third hit in the sixth inning. The Wildcats (3-5, 1-0) had traffic on the basepaths throughout the game, taking 10 walks and adding 6 hits.
“When we have a game like this where we have a bunch of baserunners, I got credit for the RBIs but they are the ones that got on base even it’s by a walk or a hit,” she said. “They’re doing their job at the plate and it all comes together. All credit to my teammates for that. All parts of the lineup were producing today whether it’s from a walk a bunt or a hit.”
Naperville Central (2-3, 0-1) struck first when Cali Lenz singled home Avery Miller in the second for a 1-0 lead. But Wildcats ace Ava Drehs (3-0) went the distance and only allowed single runs in the fifth and sixth frames after her team built a 6-1 lead after five innings.
“I felt good. It was really cold. It was warm during warmups and then the game started and I felt like it got freezing,” said Drehs, who battled the elements in short sleeves. “But it was really nice. Everyone was super excited and it’s easy to stay warm and have fun when everyone’s there with me.”
Redhawks starter Shea Meech struck out 9 in 5 1/3 innings, but she also walked 8 batters and the Wildcats took advantage. Avery Hayward tripled home a run in the fifth and Riley Silvers singled home a run in the sixth for the Redhawks, who on Tuesday beat Plainfield Central to notch coach Andy Nussbaum’s 750th career victory.
“Drehs is the best pitcher in the league without question,” Nussbaum said. “So, we’ve got to perform better when we know our offensive opportunities are going to be limited because she’s really good. We had some opportunities. Sometimes it’s not if you get the hits but when you get the hits.”
The milestone “W” on Tuesday came for a coach who also has 746 career wins as the girls basketball coach at Naperville Central.
“It’s pretty gratifying. We have a great school, a great community and kids that work hard and care about sports,” the veteran coach said. “I’ve gotten better over the years. I haven’t been perfect by any stretch. It’s been a privilege to work with kids that care about sports. Hopefully it’s been a positive thing for a lot of the players and hopefully we’re not done.”