Baseball notes: Bava breaks Naperville North hits record; DVC, DuKane races coming down to the wire

Zach Bava now stands atop the Naperville North record book.

Bava, a 5-foot-8 senior catcher, set a school career mark for base hits with his first-inning single to right during the Huskies’ eventual 1-0, 12-inning victory over Waubonsie Valley Tuesday in Naperville.

He finished 2 for 3 with a pair of walks, and now has 127 base hits during his 4-year varsity career, surpassing 2012 graduate Mariano Long (125).

“It feels amazing,” said Bava, who received a congratulatory hug from first-base coach Bob Platt before being replaced by courtesy runner Trey Stade. “The list of hit leaders includes some big league players (Jerry Hairston, Jr. and Nick Solak) and other college stars.”

Bava, who received the ball as a souvenir, was greeted by Huskies head coach Jim Chiappetta (fifth on the school’s all-time hit list) near the third-base line on his way to the dugout where his jubilant teammates awaited.

“It’s something I’ll never forget,” said the Illinois State commit, who also is the Huskies’ career leader in doubles and walks.

“I’ve been told my whole life that I’m too small. That just made me work harder.”

Bava tied the mark during Monday’s 2-1 loss to Waubonsie Valley, going 1 for 2 with a walk.

Chiappetta has enjoyed watching the veteran excel in all areas.

“Zach means the world to us,” said Chiappetta. “It’s not just his baseball abilities that shine — it’s the passion he plays with and leadership he provides for our program. He checks in almost every day on his way to class. In many ways, he’s like another coach. His experience has helped, but his desire to continue to grow as a player and competitor every day is what truly makes him special.”

Chiappetta realized he had something special prior to Bava’s arrival as a freshman.

“As an incoming freshman, we had the opportunity to watch him in the summer,” said the coach. “We liked what we saw and decided to throw a challenge his way. He didn’t know at the time, but we put him in the box against our projected No. 1 and 3 pitchers for the spring season.

“He doubled off our No. 1 and banged off the fence against our No. 3. At that point, it was clear he was special.”

The Huskies coach is savoring each moment that Bava is the team’s backstop.

“There is a lot that happens over the course of a four-year career,” said Chiappetta. “The ups, the downs, and everything in the middle. He has put the work in and is so deserving of all his successes.

“Personally, I think I’ll enjoy the in-game comfort knowing we have him behind the plate a little bit longer.”

Tight races

The DuPage Valley Conference race might go down to the wire.

With Tuesday’s win, Naperville North finds itself in a 3-way tie for first place with Waubonsie Valley and Naperville Central at 7-4, with Neuqua Valley and DeKalb a game back at 6-5 apiece.

Last week, all 5 teams were locked at the top with 5-3 marks.

“I’m not surprised at all,” said Chiappetta. “Each team is unique, but I think we all share some similarities as well. It will be fun to see how the next few weeks play out.”

Despite dropping 2 of 3 games to rival Batavia, Geneva finds itself tied for first place with Wheaton Warrenville South in the competitive DuKane Conference heading into Thursday’s home clash with Wheaton North.

The Vikings (18-7) have received significant contributions from a strong sophomore group led by Mason Bruesch (.467), Noah Hallahan (.361), Tate Beran (.396), catcher Alex Abraham, and Nolan Wendell (.419).

“It has been a lot of fun,” said Vikings coach Brad Wendell. “These guys haven’t just filled roster spots — they’ve helped us win games. Mason (Bruesch) has been huge for us — on the mound, in the outfield, and with the bat.

“Tate (Beran) has been steady in the field and gives us good, competitive at-bats. Noah (Hallahan) has really come on lately, and Alex is improving behind the plate every game, and that has been big for our defense and pitchers.”

Wendell also has an opportunity to coach his son.

“Coaching Nelson adds a personal layer,” said the coach. “I’m proud of the way he has handled himself. It’s not always easy being the coach’s kid — it can be stressful (maybe more for me than him) — but he has competed hard and played well.

“What I’ve enjoyed most is watching these sophomores grow — bot just as ballplayers, but in confidence and maturity. As a dad, I’ve seen them all as little kids. It’s surreal to be coaching them now as young adults.”

Wendell also emphasized the importance of his upperclassmen.

“We knew we had a solid senior group — Miles Dibble, Michael Toole, Nick Price, Ethan Gronberg, Caden Sorensen to name a few, and some athletic juniors (Ryan Kastor, Josh Frieders, Aidan Hall, Blake Kopec), but most of them didn’t have a ton of varsity experience,” said the coach. “Last year’s team was loaded with 17 seniors who played nearly every inning, so this group was stepping into the unknown.

“I think the success we’ve had reflects how hard this group works and how well they play together.”

Young Tigers

Geneva’s youthfulness has nothing on Wheaton Warrenville South (11-11).

The Tigers’ starting lineup regularly includes a pair of freshmen — Caleb Mease and AJ Rogers, 4 sophomores — Jacob Conover, Clark Jensen, Blake Snyder, and Jonah Raney, juniors Reese Franks and Aidan Quartz alongside lone senior Nico Olszewski.

“I’ve never had this young of a team,” said Tigers coach John Scherrman. “They’re great competitors. One through nine, I feel like we compete every day with our lineup.”

Mease, who bats in the third hole, leads the team with a .490 average, followed by Franks (.438) and Olszewski (.385).

The solidly built Mease and 6-foot-2 Rogers could easily be mistaken for seniors.

“No, they don’t look like freshmen,” said Scherrman.

With 9 games remaining, the DuKane Conference race remains up for grabs.

First-place Geneva and WW South own identical 8-4 records, followed by St. Charles East (7-5), defending champion St. Charles North (6-6), Lake Park (6-6), Wheaton North (6-6), and Batavia (5-7).

“It’s just a fight to stay near the top of the race the next couple weeks,” said WW South coach John Scherrman.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if things come down to the final series — or even the last game,” said Geneva coach Brad Wendell. “That’s how competitive the DuKane is. Every team can beat you. Hopefully, we keep ourselves in position to make those late games count.”

The teams’ final series — WW South vs. St. Charles East; Geneva vs. St. Charles North; Lake Park vs. Wheaton North; and Batavia vs. Glenbard North; will take place May 17, 19-20.