By Drake Skleba

 

NAPERVILLE - No.14 Naperville North entered Monday’s crucial DuPage Valley showdown with No. 3 Naperville Central in a must-win situation. Unleashing a 12-run, 13-hit attack, the Huskies outslugged the Redhawks 12-10 at North Central College in Naperville.

 

Having been swept at home by Naperville Central (20-3; 11-1) in a doubleheader at North (19-4; 9-3) on Saturday, North sat in third place in the DVC, three games behind the Redhawks.The Huskies took out their frustration from Saturday out on Naperville Central’s senior RHP Marc Mantucca (4-1), who entered the contest with a perfect 4-0 record for the Redhawks.

 

After Naperville Central jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the Huskies 6-foot-6, 230-pound junior starting pitcher Matt LaCosse (5-0), Naperville North answered with a four-spot in the top of the second. Senior SS Alex Khoury ripped a clutch two RBI single that gave the Huskies the lead 4-2. Khoury reached base five times, scoring two runs and walking three times and once on an error.

 

“We played well and bounced back from Saturday,” said Khoury. “I was happy to get the big hit and got on base to make things happen for us.”

 

The Huskies scored four more times in the third, highlighted by senior DH Jack Krecji’s run-scoring double. Three of the runs were unearned as the Redhawks defense had a couple of key miscues in the inning. Krejci had a pair of hits and two RBI for the Huskies.

 

“It was a nail-biter for us and a big win for us in the DVC race,” said Krejci. “I had favorable counts and hit the ball well. We really came out focused against a great pitcher today.”

 

Central picked up a run in the bottom of the third, driven home by senior RF Bobby Czarnowski (3-for-5; HR, 2B, 2RBI), who was a triple short of the cycle. Czarnowski doubled home the Redhawk run in the third to get Central back to within 8-3.

 

North picked up a single tally in the fourth and a pair of runs in the fifth. Kerjci added an RBI in the fourth and senior RF Paul Bloodgood ripped a two-run single to expand the Huskie lead to 11-3

 

In the bottom of the fifth, with one out, Czarnowski launched a drive to center. Huskies CF Bobby Daly and LF Mike Fattore converged on Czarnowski’s drive. At full speed, the outfielders collided, head to face, and both dropped to the ground. A hush came over the big crowd as both Huskies lay on the ground.

 

Czarnowski circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run. After a 40 minute delay, both players were taken off the field on stretchers and taken to Edwards Hospital in Naperville for observation. Naperville North head coach Carl Hunckler went to Edwards Hospital with his players.

 

The never-say –die Redhawks rallied for four runs, knocking out LaCosse (5 2/3, 8R, 10H, 5ER, 6K, 5BB) in the sixth. Mantucca (2-for-4, 2B, 2RBI) singled home a pair in the innings and Central added a pair of unearned runs against La Cosse, to close within11-8. North’s Oakton Community-bound senior RHP Kyle Klosak entered the game and put out the fire to close the sixth.

 

North added a big run in the seventh on an RBI single by senior 1B Andrew Arenson (2-for-5, 2B, RBI).

 

Naperville North’s senior 2B Idris Hanidu reached base four times on a couple of singles and a pair of walks, scored three runs and drove in one. Hanidu also made a great play on a deflection from first baseman Andrew Arenson to record the first out in the Central seventh.

 

“My job as the number nine hitter is to get on base,” said Hanidu.  “I am happy I was able to do that today. On the play in the seventh I was able to catch the deflection off of Andrew and get the big out.”

 

Naperville Central struck for a pair of runs off of Klosak in the bottom of the seventh to close to within 12-10.With two out, Mantucca crushed a Klosak pitch for a double, bringing Czarnowski to the plate. Would Czarnowski bring the Redhawks all the way back, as he had done numerous times this season? With the Central fans screaming for a long one, Klosak bore down and fanned the hard-hitting Redhawk slugger to end the game.

 

“There was a sense of urgency today,” said Naperville North associate head coach Mark Lindo. “Matt LaCosse battled for us to get the win. We really hit the ball well against a good pitcher. With the win we're back in the race. I don’t think the injuries to Bobby Daly and Mike Fattore are serious. Our hearts and prayers go out to both players and their families.”