Nothing comes easy

AURORA - Losers in six consecutive games, the West Aurora Blackhawks simply needed a win.

While the Blackhawks captured an 8-7 DuPage Valley Conference triumph over Naperville Central Tuesday, it was neither simple nor easy.

In fact, it was nailbiter. The Redhawks (14-8 overall, 9-6 DVC) held an early 4-1 advantage before West knotted the contest and later held a 5-4 edge, but the Blackhawks unloaded a four-run fifth inning and held on for the one-run win.

Kyle McCradic crushed a three-run shot over the centerfield fence, giving the Blackhawks (13-11, 6-9) their first lead (8-5) and West starter Jeff Etter tossed a 1-2-3 sixth stanza before giving way to Chad Becker.

Becker, who broke his non-pitching hand in the third game of the season, came on in the final inning for his first save and inning of the year.

Becker walked the first batter, induced a pop out and then surrendered a two-run bomb.

John Holm launched a pitch into the football practice fields beyond the right-field fence, but Becker regrouped. He retired Marc Mantuccsa on a come-backer and whiffed Pat Kaminska to end the game and save some Blackhawks fingernails.

"It was kind of getting frustrating for the fact that we had guys come out and pitch good ballgames, but we wouldn't score any runs," said West Aurora coach John Reeves. "It's been a crazy week and a half of games. It's nice to finally be on the winning side."

The Blackhawks began the fifth-inning rally with a bloop single by junior Brady Renner (3-for-3, walk, 3 RBIs). Cory Walden (2 RBIs) knocked him in two batters later with a rope up the middle and Chris Richter followed with a base hit. McCradic then smacked the first pitch he saw to dead center.

"It was a good pitch he gave me," McCradic explained. "Coach said look for a first-pitch fastball down the middle and drive it. It was a fastball down the middle and I got good wood on it and took it out."

It was the momentum swing the Blackhawks desperately needed. Baseball: West Aurora 8, Naperville Central 7