Neuqua Valley a little more 'lucky' than Glenbard South
The word "lucky" was used by both the Neuqua Valley baseball team and host Glenbard South to describe the Wildcats' 6-5 win Monday over the Raiders.
As the regular season started its final week, Glenbard South coach Mike Riley felt lucky the Raiders had a chance to play Neuqua as preparation for the postseason.
"During the last couple of weeks of the season, we have teams on the schedule I knew would be challenge," he said. "We were right there and we competed. We just made too many mistakes.
"You are going to get better playing teams like Neuqua. I would rather get beat by a real good team than one we aren't challenged by."
The Wildcats (23-7) went ahead for good in the top of the seventh. With one out Kevin Ringlein doubled to center. Then center fielder Tyler Tesmond singled for his second hit of the day and third RBI overall.
The Raiders (18-9) had just tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth on Kyle Carli's two-out single right that scored Dylan Brambora and Robbie McGimpsey, who had both walked.
Neuqua coach Robin Renner talked about how lucky the Wildcats were to leave Glenbard South with a victory.
"We're like the rat that got at the cheese. We got real lucky. If we play like this in the state tournament, it will be a short state tournament," he said. "But we don't make mistakes like this for the most part."
Will Drake was winning pitcher for the Wildcats. He pitched 4⅓ innings in relief and struck out 4.
Neuqua took a 1-0 lead in the first. Nick Hilgemann blasted a triple to the center-field fence and Tesmond's groundball scored him.
Renner said Tesmond has been crucial to the Wildcats' offense all season.
"He's one of our top guys. He's in the No. 3 spot for a reason. He has confidence in himself and what he can do," the Neuqua coach said.
Tesmond's single to center in the third was part of a 3-run effort by the Wildcats in the inning. His hit had scored Hilgemann, who connected on his second triple. Hilgemann brought in leadoff hitter Zach Herdman, who had singled. Later, Alex DiFranco's groundball out scored Tesmond to give Neuqua a 4-2 advantage.
"I'm hitting all right. Coming to the plate, I just try to get on base or move the runner over," Tesmond said.
Hilgemann's day ended in the bottom of the third when he suffered a shoulder injury diving for a ball and his status was unknown after the game. He was replaced in right field by Ringlein.
Glenbard South scored 2 runs in the first on RBI singles by Michael Ashe and Alexander McGimpsey. Ashe brought home Joey Atkinson, who had walked. Alexander McGimpsey scored Andrew Wrona, who had reached on an infield hit.
Alexander McGimpsey scored to pull the Raiders to within 4-3 in the third. He led off with a double to right and later scored on Brian Ashe's sacrifice fly.