DARIEN, IL – No. 9 Plainfield North shell-shocked No. 2 Neuqua Valley with six runs in the first inning in route to an 11-3 victory in the 4A Hinsdale South Sectional Final. Plainfield North starting pitcher Keegan Bates (Valparaiso commit) went the distance, scattering three runs on five hits, striking out three and walking three.

It took the Neuqua Valley two pitchers and eight batters before they were able to record the first out of the game. The first four batters reached base by walk, single, single, walk before a pitching change was made. Cameron Kissel wasted no time getting in on the action as he took relief pitcher Andrew Churchman deep over the scoreboard in left field for a three-run home run, extending the lead to 5-0. Cal Cangilla followed with a double and scored on Chris Miller’s single down the left field line. When all the dust had settled, North led Neuqua 6-0.

Neuqua chipped away on the six-run deficit, getting one run back in the first on a Jack Rigoni (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville commit) double, scoring leadoff man Ryan Wheeler. Ethan Schreier cut another run off the lead in the second inning with a solo home run to left field.

North had an answer, plus some, every time Neuqua started to gain momentum. C Brady Miller (Western Michigan commit) would score in the third inning on a fielder’s choice, one of his three runs. Then in the top of the fifth, North put up four runs, giving them an 11-2 cushion. The inning was highlighted by a Sean Tillmon bases-clearing double, scoring three runs. Tillmon, unfortunately, tripped rounding second base and was cut down trying to make it to third.

Rigoni tried to start a rally for Neuqua in the sixth inning with a solo shot, but Bates responded with a groundout to second base and a swinging strikeout.  Bates returned for the seventh inning, finishing the game on a comebacker, getting the final with a flip of the ball to first baseman Cangilla.

Plainfield North was offensively paced by Kissel, who went 3-for-3 with a three-run home run, two singles, one walk and three runs scored. Garret Cook also added two singles in four at-bats.

For Neuqua Valley, Rigoni was the offensive catalyst going 2-for-2 with a double, a home run, two RBI, one walk. Wheeler also added two hits, both singles.

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