Neuqua rides wind to rout of Benet

Neuqua Valley's Brian McNabb celebrates with teammate Geoff Rowan after Jason David's home run in the third inning against Benet.
(Danielle Gardner/Naperville Sun)

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Neuqua Valley senior Jason David and junior Jordan Williamson both had career days Wednesday against Benet in Naperville.

Courtesy of Mother Nature's 25 mile per hour wind at their backs, David and Williamson combined for four home runs and 11 RBIs. The Wildcats blew Benet out of the water, winning 20-7 in five innings.

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Michael Bowden delivers during his major league debut Aug. 30, 2008, at Fenway Park. Had Bowden, a Waubonsie Valley alumnus currently working in the minors, landed anywhere else in the majors he'd probably be working for the parent club.
(AP File)

"You know how in Jaws when they go out and they look for Jaws, the first time they see him they go back and say, 'We need a bigger boat?' That's how I feel like today," Benet coach Jeff Bonebrake said. "We need a bigger boat."

The Redwings (6-3) simply could not contain the Wildcats (7-3). In the first inning, they scored nine runs off Benet sophomore Jake Norton and junior Dan Finan before they recorded an out.

The Wildcats scored three more in the second and seven more in the third before tacking on their 20th run in the fourth.

"I told (Bonebrake) we shouldn't even count this game," Neuqua coach Robin Renner said.

Williamson's two home runs doubled his season total as a sophomore last year. His six RBIs against Benet led the pack. David registered five RBIs on his two home runs, which were already his third and fourth of the season, and senior Geoff Rowan hit the other Neuqua homer and added four RBIs.

Renner said he had to switch Ian Krol from his usual spot in left field to first base in order to keep David's bat in the lineup.

"I told Ian today, 'You got your first base mitt here?' And he said, 'Yeah, I do,' because I can't get Jason out of the lineup.

He's swinging the bat (lately). He's gotta play," Renner said.

David didn't even face Benet's starting pitcher. He faced Finan in relief and drove his first pitch out of the park. Then he took him deep on a curveball, which David said he hasn't done in years, during the third.

It was Norton's first varsity start whereas Neuqua threw junior Mike McKinley, who started last year on the state championship squad.

David had fun saying he thought both of his home runs were legit while Williamson took credit for only one, which landed in the sophomore field.

"I guess my second one could be classified as shady," Williamson said. "It wasn't the best hit, but it got over."

If only the Wildcats could have taken advantage of a similar wind Tuesday in a 7-4 loss to St. Charles North at Neuqua.

"Well, yesterday we had (pitcher Danny) Jimenez, so everyone was kind of nervous and stuff. We shouldn't be, but it was kind of like that," said David, who managed a home run off him. "Even with the wind blowing out, we couldn't put the bat on the ball as good because he's throwing like 88, close to 90, probably. He's got good stuff."

  bengel@scn1.com nbsp;