West Aurora 1, Naperville Central 0

As the scoreless innings ticked by Tuesday, West Aurora softball coach Dave Zine could only think of last spring and ponder who would blink first.

"We weren't sure how long we'd be here," Zine said.

Last season West Aurora and Naperville Central split two memorable games, including a 2-1 Blackhawks' win in 18 innings that required two days to finish.

This time the Blackhawks scored an unearned run in the sixth, as Stephanie Becker bested Natalie Wunderlich in a 1-0 pitchers' dual in Aurora.

"I was expecting this to be a good game like that one," said Becker, who will team up with Wunderlich on the Orland Park Sparks this summer. "They're a good team, they've been playing well and Natalie's a good pitcher."

Wunderlich (12-4), who struck out 11, retired 12 batters in a row at one point before pinch hitter Kiara Towles singled to lead off the sixth.

Towles was forced at second on a Devin Vaughn fielder's choice, and Vaughn advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.

With two outs and two strikes, Vaughn stole third and scored on a high throw over the third baseman.

"We did everything that last inning that we haven't been doing all season," Zine said. "We got the leadoff single, had a great sacrifice bunt and forced the issue at third base with an aggressive play.

"With a quality pitcher like Wunderlich on the mound, you can't always rely on the basehit to score a run."

Naperville Central (14-5, 6-2 DuPage Valley Conference) got runners on in each of the first five innings but couldn't push across the big hit. The Redhawks left six runners on base over the first four innings, four in scoring position.

"We had some chances," Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said. "At the same time we didn't make the plays when we needed them."

Becker (13-3) struck out nine for West Aurora (17-7, 5-4), which is two games behind West Chicago in the loss column in the DVC.

"This is huge for us," Zine said. "It gets us back in the race."

Naperville Central dropped a game behind West Chicago. The Redhawks play at West Chicago today and get West Aurora at their place next Wednesday.

"Games like this are going to happen," Nussbaum said. "We've lost two 1-0 games on the road in conference. You're going to lose those sometimes."