Central to rely on arms of Ludwig, Lewandowski

Updated: May 10, 2011 6:54PM

Coming into this season, it was very apparent that Naperville Central would go as far as its top two pitchers — senior left-hander Dan Ludwig and junior right-hander Ian Lewandowski — would take it.

Last season Central navigated through the postseason gauntlet that was the Plainfield South Sectional before earning victories over O’Fallon, Stevenson and St. Rita to win the program’s second state title last season behind Shane Conlon and Ludwig. As this season heads toward the postseason in a couple weeks, Redhawks’ coach Bill Seiple plans on using Ludwig and Lewandowski as much as he can down the stretch.

“I’ve got Luddy and Ian and every time I can get those guys on the diamond, I’m gonna do it,” he said after Naperville Central completed a doubleheader sweep over crosstown rival Naperville North on April 30. “We’re gonna go four days’ rest, which is what we do with each of (the starters). All you got to do is count. That’s the way we’re gonna do it. We’re a pretty good ballclub with those guys throwing.”

Lewandowski carries a 6-1 record and a 1.29 ERA into this week’s three-game series with West Chicago, while the Belmont University-bound Ludwig is 5-2 after losing his last start to Wheaton North, 4-2, despite striking out nine in a complete-game effort.

Long thriving at North

Jumping out on the varsity scene last year as a sophomore, Mariano Long played a key role as Naperville North tied its school record for wins with 30 and won the program’s first regional title since 2004.

With the rotation led by Matt LaCosse, Charlie White, Kyle Klosak and Harrison Katz, Long was able to settle in at the varsity level patrolling third base while hitting .349 with three home runs and 20 RBI.

The graduation of Klosak, Katz and White to go along with LaCosse deciding to forgo his senior season allowed Long to move to center field, replacing White, and also show off his pitching arm.

“He’s grown up quite a bit. Let’s not forget (that) he was a sophomore on the varsity last year,” Naperville North coach Carl Hunckler said after Long fanned 10 in a 9-2 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South on April 29. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that we made the right decision (to bring him up as a sophomore). He didn’t pitch as much last year because we didn’t need him. Definitely, this year and that, he has been our go-to-guy, try and stop any bad things that have been happening to the team.”

Entering his start Monday at Wheaton North, Long was 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA and had 47 strikeouts in 41 innings of work.

In his last three outings prior to Monday, all he had done was fire three consecutive complete games, allowing just six runs and striking out 28 batters over that span.

Intriguing series

Much like the rivalry that District 203 counterparts Naperville Central and Naperville North share, the matchup between District 204 rivals Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley is a check-mark date each year on the calendar.

With the two schools ready to meet this week, first on Thursday in Naperville and then in Aurora for a doubleheader on Saturday, the three-game set presents an interesting juxtaposition as the two rivals could meet for a fourth time in less than two weeks when the 2011 Class 4A Lockport Regional begins on May 25.

The Warriors, seeded 14th within the Neuqua Valley Sectional, must defeat Romeoville at home on May 21 in a Class 4A Lockport Regional Quarterfinal to advance to Lockport, where the third-seeded Wildcats will be waiting.

“Whether one team is better than the other makes no difference when you’re playing Waubonsie. It’s just a very, very difficult game,” said Neuqua Valley coach Robin Renner.

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