Back where they belong

Neuqua Valley players congratulate teammate Alex Lincoln on his two-run homer during the sixth inning of Tuesday's regional championship game in Darien. The Wildcats ripped Plainfield North 15-6.
(Jonathan Miano/Staff Photographer)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

CHAMPAIGN -- "Help me out."

Under the bill of his Neuqua Valley baseball cap, junior Ian Krol wrote those three words and drew a cross next to them.

Per his superstition, Krol writes something on his hat every time he takes the mound and Monday was no different.

"The big guy," Krol said, pointing to the cross on his hat. "Guess it worked."

Krol unleashed one of his best performances of the season, leading Neuqua to a 5-0 win over Collinsville in the University of Illinois Super-Sectional on Monday night.

Neuqua will play Prairie Ridge in Friday's Class 4A state semifinals, beginning at 7 p.m. in Joliet. Prairie Ridge edged Carmel 5-4 in the Schaumburg Super-Sectional.

"Ian - we were a little concerned. We had Mike (McKinley) with the baseball in his glove in the second inning because Ian just wasn't himself," Neuqua coach Robin Renner said. "As the game went on he got stronger and more confident and throwing more strikes."

Collinsville (21-12) managed a hit in each of the first two innings - its only two hits of the game. Krol also allowed a walk in each of those frames, putting runners in scoring position.

And in the top of the second inning, Krol loaded the bases with nobody out. But, as many have come to expect, he struck out two straight batters before fielding his position and throwing to first for the third out.

"With bases load and nobody out," Renner said, "If anybody could do it - he could.

Senior Geoff Rowan will make the start for the Wildcats on Friday, but it was his effort at the plate and behind it that stood out Monday.

Rowan, the clean-up hitter and catcher, gave the Wildcats a 4-0 lead with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Chris Kruppe, who hits in the seventh spot of the order, did the same in the second inning. Ken Vrtis, the team's No. 9 hitter, drove home the Wildcats' other run.

"Honestly, there's not one person on that team who we don't trust to get a big hit," said Kruppe, who connected with a two-strike changeup for his third home run of the year.

Rowan (3-for-4, two RBIs) also threw out a runner straying from first base to end the fifth inning. Rowan now has nine RBIs in five playoff games.

In what's become routine for him, Renner again emphasized the Wildcats' need to produce when Krol pitches. Meaning, there's no automatic victories just because their ace takes the hill.

"I wouldn't say it's automatic, but it's definitely a plus (when Krol pitches)," Neuqua center fielder Jordan Williamson said. "To put it on his shoulders is a big thing, but we just gotta hit like everyone else, we just gotta play defense like everyone else."

Between Krol's personal motivation to get the job done and Renner's reminder for everyone to hit and field, the Wildcats advanced to the state tournament series for the second straight season.

The Wildcats (32-6) won the AA state championship last year.

And if Rowan can pull out another big win Friday, Krol will pitch in the final Saturday.

"We're real excited to go to state," said Krol, who improved to 8-1. "Since we've been there, now we can relax. There's not going to be a bunch of jitters like there was last year. We know what it's like to be there. It's a good feeling."