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Littler lifts Neuqua past Naperville Central
| Corey R. Minkanic~For Sun-Times Media
GLEN ELLYN — Given the pressure that the summer state tournament places upon your pitching depth as opposed to the spring, opportunities to open eyes are plentiful.
Successfully utilizing such depth in the summer state tournament is quickly becoming a trend for Neuqua Valley.
Following the lead of Nick Blackburn and David Gerber, Eric Littler shined during his chance in the spotlight as No. 4 Neuqua Valley came away with a 3-1 victory over seventh-seeded Naperville Central Thursday morning in the IHSBCA Glenbard South Regional final.
Cut from the team before the spring because of extensive senior depth in the rotation, Littler allowed just one run on three hits while tossing six splendid innings at the Redhawks.
“I tried to pitch most of their 3-4-5 hitters inside,” said Littler, who retired the last eight hitters he saw. “I was basically pitching with the wind today. I tried to go opposite direction of the wind and basically try to get ground balls and popups. It seemed to work.”
During the fourth inning, the lone frame that he surrendered two hits, a balk from Littler put runners on second and third with one out.
Taking advantage of the balk, an RBI groundout from Jeff Schank brought home Naperville Central’s only run of the game.
“I said, ‘You know what Eric? You come out for the summer and I’m gonna keep you for sure and give you a chance,’” said Neuqua Valley coach Robin Renner, recalling the conversation he had with Littler back in the spring. “A lot of times, you give kids opportunities. Some take advantage of it and some don’t.
“He certainly did and showed us that we made a mistake. He should have been part of that team and he certainly will be next year.”
With their second consecutive summer state regional title in tow, the Wildcats head to Benedictine University for a 10 a.m. Monday game against St. Joseph.
Playing without the offensive services of Gerber and catcher Dylan Goss, the Wildcats quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first courtesy of four consecutive hits off Redhawks starter Jim Barry.
Subbing for Gerber, who earned the victory Wednesday over Benet in relief, junior Matt Wollnik accounted for one-third of Neuqua Valley’s nine hits by going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Meanwhile, after combining for 29 runs on 32 hits in its three games prior to Thursday, Naperville Central finally met its match in the senior duo of Littler and Blackburn.
Blackburn followed Littler to the mound and threw a scoreless seventh to pick up the save.
Scoring just the one run in the fourth after getting runners on second and third with one out, the Redhawks squandered another scoring opportunity in the second.
Ross Murphy led off the inning with a single before getting picked off second base with one out, effectively putting an end to that threat.
“Sometimes you just need one person to step up, hit the ball hard and everyone else would relax,” Naperville Central coach Mike Stock said. “We didn’t get that. We just didn’t get that today. Give their kid (Littler) credit. They didn’t open the gate at all.”
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