No. 13 Naperville Central Downs West Aurora, Advances To Regional Final

Naperville Central and West Aurora squared off to start regional play. West Aurora came out hot, but Naperville Central eventually took control of and never looked back, winning by a final score of 11-6.

Naperville Central (22-4) biggest inning came in the bottom of the second when they put up five runs to take control of the game. The RedHawks were chasing one heading into the frame. Back-to-back singles from senior Carson Lee and sophomore Clay Schrader would put men on first and third with one out. Sophomore Michael Boyce drew a walk to load the bases and set up senior JT Albrecht, who hit a ball sharply to the shortstop; a throwing error plated all three men that were on base and gave the RedHawks a 5-3 lead. Colin Barczi, sophomore, came up a few batters later and ripped a single to left-field scoring Albrecht, making it 6-3. Senior Nathan Brinker hit a sharp ground-ball to third-base that was misplayed, allowing sophomore Charalamdos Nicoloudes to score, who walked earlier in the inning, making it 7-3.

Central’s Brinker and Busch ripped back-to-back doubles to plate another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, making it 8-3.

The RedHawks added on in the bottom of the sixth inning. Schrader kept his day going with a sharply hit double to center-field, scoring senior Jack Busch, who reached base via a fielder’s choice earlier in the inning, making it 9-4. Boyce came up a few batters later and launched a homerun to left-field, making it 11-4.

West Aurora (6-19) didn’t go down easy, as junior Brock Beatus ripped a single with the bases loaded and scored junior Ben Wisniewski, making it 11-5 in the top of the seventh. Senior Kyle Williams, a Benedictine commit, wore a HBP which scored Joe Pokryfke making it 11-6. That would be all the runs West Aurora could muster however, as a fielder's choice ended the threat and advanced Naperville Central.

The Blackhawks were ready to play and came out swinging in the top of the first inning. Junior Matthew Tarr, ripped a double that short-hopped the centerfield wall. Williams scored on the same play on an error by the second baseman. Senior Colin Buziecki, a Waubonsee CC commit, grounded into a fielder’s choice and scored sophomore Ryan Niedzwiedz, who reached via an error earlier in the inning. 

Tarr added to West Aurora’s offense in the top of the fifth inning with a deep homer to center, making it 8-4.

The RedHawks responded in the bottom half of the first inning with Nicoloudes leading off the inning with a sharply-hit double to right-center. Senior Will Endrud came up a batter later and ripped a line-drive to center, putting men on first and third with two outs. Busch delivered a double to right-centerfield, scoring both Nicoloudes and Endrud, squaring the game up at two runs a piece. 

Naperville Central secured the 11-6 victory to set up a Regional Final matchup with Neuqua Valley on Monday, June 7. First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m.

Notable Performances:

+ Matthew Tarr (West Aurora): 2-4, double, HR, RBI
+ Michael Boyce (Naperville Central): 1-2, HR, 2 BB’s, RBI
+ Jack Busch (Naperville Central): 2-4, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs
+ Charalambos Nicoloudes (Naperville Central): 2-4
+ Clay Schrader (Naperville Central): 2-4, double, RBI
+ Nathan Brinker (Naperville Central): 1-3, double, RBI
+ Kyle Williams (West Aurora): 1-3, double, RBI 

For more in-depth notes from the games - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog.

RELATED CONTENT