Neuqua ousts Redhawks at Phil Lawler Summer Classic

Scanning Neuqua Valley's lineup, on Tuesday the Wildcats handled the fourth spot particularly well.

Batting for pitcher Kevin Hodgman, designated hitter Ryan O'Keefe knocked a 2-run single in the first inning and an RBI double in the third.

That and Hodgman's 5 innings of 2-run ball, plus Mike Boger's 2 scoreless innings of relief, lifted No. 1 seed Neuqua Valley (27-3) to a 4-2 victory over No. 9 Naperville Central at the Glenbard South regional of the Phil Lawler Summer Classic.

Summer ball or not, eliminating the reigning state champion equals a good day.

"They did everything well today," said Wildcats coach Robin Renner, who seeks more pitching, hitting and defense in Wednesday's 2 p.m. regional semifinal against Benet, a 10-7 winner over Glenbard South.

Naperville Central (11-19) scored solo runs by Nick Majeski in the second and Nick Ryan in the third, but O'Keefe put Neuqua up for good in the bottom of the third. He singled home Jack Amaro and Tanner Giesel in the first and later doubled in Chris Medhurst. Jeff Samuel tripled and scored in the fourth.

"The designated hitter is hard just because that's all you're doing is hitting," said O'Keefe, also a third baseman. "So I try and stay loose and take some cuts."