DuPage County and Fox Valley baseball notes: Pitching keys Waubonsie Valley’s hot stretch; Huntley hoping to catch McHenry in FVC

Through its first 10 games, Waubonsie Valley held a 3-7 record.

Since April 9, the Warriors are one of the hottest teams in the area, having won 13 of their last 14 heading into a 3-game series with Naperville North.

Looking to defend its DuPage Valley Conference title, Waubonsie is off to a 9-0 league start — a start that could make next week’s 3-game series with second-place Naperville Central an afterthought.

“I don’t know that the 9-0 start has been as surprising as the way in which we have won games,” said Warriors coach Bryan Acevedo, whose team captured its first Class 4A sectional title in 20 years last season.

“We have been putting together complete games (pitching, offense, baserunning, and defense) and hope to keep it going as we have a couple tough series to finish out the regular season.”

Pitching has been a key.

During last week’s 3-game sweep of Neuqua Valley, Aidan Kornak and Cole Ruggieri pitched complete games, while Nathan Napoliano tossed 5 innings of 1-hit ball in the Warriors’ 3-0, rain-shortened victory.

Cooper Chapple pitched 3 scoreless frames in Waubonsie’s 11-1 nonconference win over Upstate Eight East leader Glenbard East last Saturday.

“Our 13-1 run has been led by our pitching staff,” said Acevedo. “During this stretch, the pitchers have compiled a 1.87 ERA with 77 strikeouts and 35 walks in 89 2/3 innings. I don’t know if I would say we have an ace right now the way they have all been pitching.

“They are all a little different but effective. The key has been that they have been pounding the zone.”

The offense has played a huge role, too.

“Four guys have hit over .400 during the same stretch, led by third-year varsity catcher Shane Torres, who is hitting .526 the last 14 games,” said the coach.

Juniors Parker Howland and Scott Gillen are hitting .444 and .438, respectively, while senior shortstop Ryan Lucas is hitting .412.

Seniors Nate Cerilli (.364, 15 RBI), Jake Quinn (.350, 13 RBI), and sophomore Jack Roberts (17 RBI) have also contributed.

Torres provides leadership behind the plate.

“Shane leads our team in most offensive categories and is an exceptional catcher who gives our coaching staff and pitchers the confidence to throw any pitch in any situation,” said Acevedo. “He is truly invaluable to our team and our success.”

Second-place Naperville Central has received solid play from junior Ryley Orlanes (.529, 18 hits, 12 stolen bases) and seniors Michael Page (.403, 27 hits, 8 doubles, 3 triples), Cooper Page (.373, 22 hits), and Grant Umbright (16 RBI).

Four teams, including Wheaton Academy (18-7, 10-1) and Aurora Christian (15-4, 6-1), are battling for the Chicagoland Christian Conference title.

The Warriors, who had their 10-game win streak snapped by South Elgin last Saturday, suffered their first conference loss on Monday, 3-1, to Bishop McNamara despite 6 strong innings with 8 strikeouts from Lincoln Park.

Park smacked a 2-run home run as the Warriors gained a split with Bishop McNamara (14-6, 9-3) following Tuesday’s 8-4 win. Colton Miller got the win, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless, no-hit innings of relief.

“We are excited for the week,” said Warriors coach Justin Swider. “The boys have confidence in who they are as a team and at the end of the day, records mean nothing — there is going to be a winner and a loser. The confidence they feel allows them to play loose and relaxed, letting their instincts and preparation take over.”

Senior Jackson From (4 HR, 26 hits, 25 runs, 28 RBI) has received support from his teammates.

“Dom Murrell (35 hits, 26 runs, 17 RBI, 17 stolen bases) has been huge for us in center field and is doing great things for us at the plate,” said Swider. “Lincoln Park (2.30 ERA) has continued to pitch well for us coming off a great junior year. Senior TJ Sias (2.54 ERA) came into the year a little unknown but has shown he is a force to be reckoned with on the mound.

“Dallas Johnston (6 HR) is another name who has taken a huge jump this year. He can play both first and third and has been hitting the ball well.”

Aurora Christian earned a 4-2, 9-inning win over Hope Academy last week prior to its 10-2 loss to Wheaton Academy. Last Thursday’s matchup with the Warriors was suspended in the fourth inning with the Eagles trailing 10-7.

Against Hope, Noah Zappia allowed 2 earned runs with 9 strikeouts in 6 innings before Adan Sweeney earned the win with 3 scoreless innings of 1-hit relief. Preston Morel (2 for 3, 2 RBI, double) and Owen Niedzwiecki (1 for 1, 2 runs) paced the offense.

In the West Suburban Silver, Hinsdale Central (14-7) heads into the final two weeks in title contention.

Led by pitcher Adam Zak, the Red Devils carried a 7-2 conference record into their 3-game series with Oak Park-River Forest.

Next week’s 3-game series with Lyons Township (8-2) could decide the conference title, while Downers Grove North (8-5) hopes to battle back in the race.

“This team has faced a number of challenges this year and is now in a great position where we control our own destiny in the conference,” said Red Devils coach Jason Ziemer. “We face two very tough opponents in Oak Park and Lyons over the next two weeks. We expect each of the next six games to be competitive and likely determined in the late innings by whoever can move runners in key moments and come up with the big hit.

“Adam (Zak) has had a great run this year on the mound and has pitched exceptionally well in conference play up to this point. (Catcher) Dylan Kassab has put together a monster year at the plate, challenging the school home run record.”

Patrick Connors has 26 stolen bases, hitting .400 and has played exceptionally well in center field. Billy Main has closed multiple games this year while also playing well defensively at shortstop. He single-handedly won Friday’s 1-0 extra-inning game against Glenbard West, pitching the final four innings and driving in the winning run with a 2-out double in the eighth.”

In the WSC Gold, Willowbrook (21-4, 14-0) extended its winning streak to a school-record 20 with Tuesday’s 12-2, 5-inning victory over Proviso East.

Jake Bonino, Jory Crocker, and Ryan Dasbach each had multi-hit games for the Warriors.

Alex Ramey and Bonino hit home runs during the Warriors’ 10-1 win over Proviso East.

South Elgin and Bartlett are on a collision course for the top spot in the Upstate Eight West.

Defending UEC West champion South Elgin, which outscored East Aurora 31-1 in 2 games earlier in the week, owns a 10-1 mark, 1 game up in the loss column on the Hawks (12-2), while West Aurora (7-4) is third.

South Elgin and Bartlett finish the conference slate with a 2-game series on May 19 and 20.

“We keep saying one game at a time,” Storm coach David Palmer said following last week’s 3-0 win over West Aurora. “We know we control our own destiny — we don’t have to worry about help from anyone else. It’s still our title and if anyone wants it, they’re going to have to take it from us.”

Jacob Robertson and Evan Gomez each hit home runs in consecutive games (13-7 win over Wheaton Academy last Saturday and 11-0 win over East Aurora Monday).

During Tuesday’s 20-1 win over the Tomcats, Kyle Iott went 4 for 4 with a home run, double and 4 RBI, while David Kiel added a double and 4 RBI.

West Aurora coach John Reeves knows what is at stake for his squad.

“You’ve got to keep winning and hope somebody else helps you out,” said Reeves.

In the Upstate Eight East, Glenbard East opened a 2-game lead following Tuesday’s 12-10 win over Riverside-Brookfield. Justin Kay hit a home run with 2 RBI, while Carson Pignato, Lucas Calderin, Jackson Turco, and Josh Ziemer all drove in a pair of runs.

Geneva (21-3, 10-2) continues to hold the lead in the DuKane following Tuesday’s 11-5 victory over Batavia. Ryan Kastor went 4 for 5 with a double and 3 RBI, while Nick Torrence was 2 for 4 with a triple and 2 RBI, as the Vikings completed the 3-game sweep.

Gavin Dworak (2 for 4, double, RBI) and Mason Bruesch (2 RBI) chipped in for the Vikings, who own a 2-game lead in the loss column over St. Charles East (15-7, 7-4) and St. Charles North (13-8-2, 7-4).

The North Stars clinched their third conference series victory with Tuesday’s 11-1, 6-inning win over the Saints.

“We’ve had some injuries, but we’re starting to get healthy again,” said North Stars coach Todd Genke, whose team wraps up conference play with 3-game sets against Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbard North, and Lake Park.

“We’re all chasing Geneva,” said the coach.

St. Charles East hopes to stay within striking distance prior to its final 3-game series with Geneva on May 16, 19-20.

In the Fox Valley, Huntley (20-4, 10-3) continues to chase league leader McHenry (21-3-1, 11-1).

Led by Brady Klepfer, Aiden Eickman, Kyle Ziebell, and junior right-handed pitcher Sean Dabe, the Red Raiders blanked Prairie Ridge 9-0 last Friday before completing a suspended game against Burlington Central (9-12-2, 4-8) with a 13-6 win Tuesday.

Huntley begins a home-and-away series with McHenry on Friday, with game two set for May 11.

“We are aggressive on the bases, we have done a solid job of situational hitting, and we have good pitching that runs 9-10 deep,” said Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski.

Consistency has been a staple for the Red Raiders.

“Our pitching staff has been amazing, along with our quality at-bats and playing solid defense,” said the coach.

On the mound, Dabe has received support from Nate Larson, Liam Nash, Owen Borkowski, Rowan Parker, and Travis Dudycha.

Prairie Ridge (16-5, 9-4) and Jacobs (15-6, 7-4) are currently in third and fourth place, respectively.

Westmont (17-8, 4-0) remains unbeaten in the Chicago Prep following Monday’s 13-0, 4-inning win over Rochelle Zell. Pitcher Merrick Bloyd improved to 3-0 with 4 innings of 4-hit ball and 6 strikeouts, while Ricky Yenkin went 3 for 3 with a double, triple, and 3 RBI.