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Blackburn, Neuqua slow Chargers
Updated: July 25, 2011 8:32PM
As the lone school to make it back to the Phil Lawler Classic from last year, Neuqua Valley certainly understands the potential pitfalls that come with the tournament’s double-elimination setup.
Sitting in the exact same spot it was in to begin the 2010 Lawler Classic, the Wildcats, following a similar script, once again won the Monday morning opener at Benedictine University.
Going the entire way, Neuqua Valley senior right-hander Nick Blackburn stymied St. Joseph while Neuqua Valley’s offense used a five-run third inning to pull away from the Chargers for a 6-2 victory.
Despite seeing his 24-inning summer scoreless streak end with St. Joseph scoring two runs in the sixth on back-to-back RBI singles, Blackburn fanned 10 and scattered six hits.
“I was able to throw strikes,” Blackburn said. “I just stayed ahead in the count. There were times when the defense made great plays, like (third baseman) Brett Marsalli in the first inning. That was huge to start that double play, get out of there with no runs.
“Then we were able to come out on offense and jump ahead.”
Just like a year ago by virtue of a 3-2 victory over Providence in the Monday opener at Benedictine, the Wildcats advance into the winner’s bracket against Prairie Ridge at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday at North Central College. Prairie Ridge beat Lincoln-Way North 4-2 on Monday.
Getting on the board first in the second with a sacrifice fly, the Wildcats’ offense batted around and scored five runs in the third off Chargers junior starter Trayvon Johnson.
After Johnson retired the first two men he saw to begin the frame, Neuqua Valley (24-8) went to work.
Taking advantage of two Johnson walks and four bloop singles, six straight Wildcats reached base safely, highlighted by consecutive two-run singles from Blackburn and Jeff Evak.
“There are days where you’re hitting the ball hard all over the park and they’re outs,” said Neuqua Valley pitching coach John Fumagalli, subbing for the vacationing Robin Renner. “And then some of the balls you don’t hit very hard have eyes and fall into spots. We had quite a few of those (Monday).”
From there, Blackburn did the rest.
Retiring seven of the next eight he faced following his team’s five-run outburst in the third, Blackburn gutted through his last two innings, which saw him give up both runs on four hits while hitting a batter and committing a throwing error.
Striking out a pair of hitters looking in the seventh, Blackburn showed that he still had some left in the tank in sending the Chargers (19-5) to defeat. St. Joseph had beaten both reigning Class 4A state champ Lyons and York, which upset defending summer state champion Nazareth, last week.
Junior Danny Mokryzki, who beat Plainfield East last week, will be looking to send the Wildcats into the summer state semifinals as the No. 1 seed in Pool B for the second straight year with a victory against Prairie Ridge Tuesday afternoon.
“We were really excited to come out here and get the first one,” Blackburn said. “It’s always easier when you can get out, jump ahead in the tournament. … You always want to try and keep everything going. Keep the momentum from last year and hopefully we can take it into the spring.”
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