New-look Waubonsie cruises into semis

Waubonsie Valley’s Kevin Kirchner delivers a pitch against Naperville Central.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times News Group)

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There's a different vibe around Waubonsie Valley baseball these days, which is good news for everyone but the Warriors' opponents.

After a forgettable spring that ended with a losing record and a 10-0 loss in their playoff opener, the Warriors are in the semifinals of the summer state tournament.

Waubonsie punched its ticket to Friday's semis by rolling past local rival Naperville Central 14-2 Wednesday at Benedictine University.

With one game left in pool play (Thursday at 10 a.m. at North Central vs. Lincoln-Way East), the Warriors are assured of finishing no lower than second; the top two teams in each pool qualify for the final four.

Trevor Romeo drove in four runs and scored three more vs. Naperville Central, hitting a two-run homer in a five-run fourth and a two-run double in a seven-run fifth.

Teammate Jonny Strauss was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI, which isn't the only reason he was in a good mood afterward.

"The new group, we all get along great," the senior said. "We have great team chemistry. We all hang out, we're all friends.

"Last year we were kind of, like, segregated. Everyone hung out with other people."

Coach Dan Fezzuoglio has noticed the difference in his team's psyche as well.

"Definitely a better chemistry," he said. "Right now I'm looking at it, over all the teams I've had in the last 10 years -- this is a team. ... They're not selfish. They really support each other. Hopefully that carries into next spring and offseason workouts.

"But they really pull for each other, which is sort of weird for high schoolers."

Perhaps the other odd thing about the Warriors (26-12, 2-0 pool play) is the way they hit from top to bottom of the order.

"One through nine, everyone contributes," said winning pitcher Kevin Kirchner, who threw a six-hitter with five strikeouts. "Throughout the summer, we usually have had a couple guys step up. So far in the playoffs, we've been having [number] one through nine have big games."

Other contributors Wednesday included Kris Singh (2-for-4, two runs, RBI) and Danny Walker (1-for-1, two walks, triple, two runs, two RBI).

Bobby Czarnowski had an RBI double for Naperville Central (29-12, 0-2 pool play).

mclark@chicagosuntimes.com