Neuqua Valley is back in the regional title game as the 1 seed after defeating Bolingbrook 10-1. They send Jake Karaba to the mound, facing off against Regional host Hinsdale Central.
First Inning
Top of the first with two away… make that three after Jake Karaba strikes out Ethan Harrast swinging to end the first with no runs scored.
Second Inning
He’d do it again in the top of the second, two outs and Karaba gets James Pappas swinging to end the second, still with nothing on the board.
Bottom of the second now. Justin Blazek sends the ball in to orbit for a moonshot. One of the few home runs to travel over the Red Monster and behond, Neuqua up 1-0.
Third Inning
Bottom of the third now. Matt Hill at the dish hits a shot to center that gets him to first for the leadoff single. He’d advance to second on a bunt.
Then Nick Taylor steps up and cracks one to left to left for the RBI double scoring Hill from second. 2-0 cats.
Two outs now in the third, Nolan Clifford hits an RBI double that hits halfway up the Red Monster. Neuqua leads 3-0 heading to the fourth inning.
Fifth Inning
Top of the fifth with a runner at 2nd with 2 outs. Hisndale Centrals Ayden Head hits a slow roller to short. Nick Taylor’s throw on the run pulls Justin Blazek off the bag and Jack Galassi comes in to score. Red Devils trailing by 2.
Bottom of the inning with Nolan Clifford up to bat. He hits one deep to center that rebounds off the wall, getting him to third base. He would score on a wild pitch soon after and Neuqua would be up 4-1 heading to the 6th.
Sixth Inning
Bases loaded in the bottom of the 6th for Neuqua now. Mike Gould slices one to center, bringing in Mitch Rokosz, 5-1 cats now.
Same inning, 6-1 now… or make that 8-1 after Ethan Schreier hits a 2 run single to center,
Next batter up is Nolan Clifford and he ropes an RBI double down the line to help neuqua put this game on ice, winning their fourth straight regional title 10-1 over Hinsdale Central. They move on to play Plainfield North.
Check out how the other baseball teams are doing in our Boys Sports Highlights!