Neuqua aims to double its pleasure at state

Geoff Rowan and Neuqua Valley will be taking on Prairie Ridge in the Class 4A semifinal on Friday.
(Terrance Guider-Shaw/For the Naperville Sun)

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Unlike last year, when Neuqua Valley upended New Trier to win its first baseball state title, the Wildcats enter today’s Class 4A state semifinals at Joliet’s Silver Cross Field as strong favorites to become the first team to repeat since Maine Township in 1958-59.

Here’s a look at today’s 4A state semifinal games:

Wheaton North (24-13) vs. Oak Park (28-9-1), 4 p.m.: Few expected either team to be in Joliet. Wheaton North earned its spot. The Falcons had to knock off St. Charles North, Schaumburg and Loyola to make their first state appearance. The Falcons have done it behind the strength of three junior pitchers: right-hander Jack DeAno (7-1, 1.03 ERA), right-hander Trey Martin (6-0, 0.86) and left-hander Aric Dama (7-2, 1.30).

Oak Park is playing in its 12th state finals, the third under coach Chris Ledbetter. The Huskies, who defeated No. 2 Sandburg in the supersectional, also lean heavily on three pitchers: Northern Illinois-bound right-hander Kyle Glancy (9-3, 1.36 ERA), Air Force-bound lefty Drew Golz (7-1, 2.30) and senior right-hander Scott Rasley (4-3, 1.85).

Offensively, junior second baseman Sam Picchiotti (.475 batting average) and Golz (47 RBI, .444 average) lead the way. Junior shortstop JoJo Maldonado has been on fire, connecting for four home runs in the last six games.

Neuqua Valley (32-6) vs. Prairie Ridge (30-8), 7: This is a must-see matchup. No. 4 Neuqua Valley and No. 6 Prairie Ridge feature two of the state’s best pitching staffs. Neuqua Valley has held opponents to one run or less 14 times this season — and especially when junior left-hander Ian Krol is on the mound.

Krol (8-1, 0.94 ERA), who struck out 14 in a two-hit shutout against Collinsville on Monday, has recorded two no-hitters and a perfect game. Junior right-hander Mike McKinley (7-1) and senior Geoff Rowan (5-1, 0.86 ERA), who threw a five-inning no-hitter in the state semifinals last year, are big-game tested.

Senior outfielder Jason David leads Neuqua Valley’s offense with 11 home runs and 52 RBI, along with Krol (.500 average, 11 doubles) and Northwestern recruit Rowan (.431, seven homers). But Neuqua’s offense might struggle against Prairie Ridge, which set a school record for wins with its 5-4, eight-inning victory over No. 3 Carmel in the supersectional.

First-year coach Dave Haskins has led the Wolves to their first state appearance, thanks in large part to the pitching duo of Coastal Carolina right-hander T.J. Swank (10-1, 1.63 ERA) and left-hander Mike Heesch (10-1, 1.57), a Nebraska recruit who is expected to throw against Neuqua Valley.

‘‘I’m so proud of these guys,’’ Haskins said. ‘‘It’s been a great 2008. Getting the opportunity to coach these guys, it’s really been special.’’

Prairie Ridge’s offense centers around one of the state’s most prolific hitters in Kansas State recruit Nick Martini, a three-year standout hitting .437 with seven homers, 14 doubles and 29 stolen bases.