Krol's in full control for Neuqua Valley

Neuqua Valley's Travis Weldon tags out Lincoln-Way East's Brandon Hohl at second base.
(Jonathan Miano/Naperville Sun)

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Lincoln-Way East had piled up 38 runs during just 10 innings of play in regional competition last week.

But the Griffins' bats were slowed dramatically during Wednesday's Class 4A Neuqua Valley Sectional semifinals by Neuqua Valley pitcher Ian Krol.

Krol (7-1), a junior left-hander, tossed a five-hitter and struck out 10 to help the Wildcats capture a 2-1 victory in eight innings over the Griffins.

The Neuqua pitcher's fine outing was nearly matched by Griffin junior lefthander Dietrich Enns (7-3), who threw a four-hitter and struck out eight in 7 1/3 innings.

Brian McNabb (2-for-4, two RBI) slapped a one-out, bases-loaded single in the eighth to drive in Jordan Williamson for the game-winner.

"Coach [Robin Renner] said that was probably the best game he's seen at Neuqua Valley," Krol said. "Their pitcher had a lot of good stuff but we just played really well. It wasn't just me, we had a great effort from everyone today."

The Wildcats (30-6), last year's Class AA state champions, took advantage of some wildness by Enns during the final inning to score the decisive run.

In the eighth, Williamson led off with a walk, took second when Krol was hit by a pitch and moved to third after Geoff Rowan (2-for-3) drew a one-out walk.

That prompted a pitching change and McNabb greeted reliever Brian Russell with a single to right to finally end the contest.

"That was one of the finest baseball games that Neuqua Valley has ever played," Renner said. "There were the plays Ryan Wagner made at second base, catcher Geoff Rowan throwing bullets to second base twice and Ian having one of his best performances."

The Griffins (22-11) grabbed the early advantage when John Lorenz led off the fourth inning with a home run to center.

But the Wildcats answered with a run in their half of the fourth as Rowan got a one-out single and scored on McNabb's single to center.

Lincoln-Way East only had one other baserunner who reached third base while Neuqua didn't get another runner to third until the final inning.

"It was a great game all the way around," Griffins coach Paul Babcock said. "Things just got away from us a little bit in the last inning. Our guys battled the whole game and I kept expecting that we'd do it. But we just came up on the short end."