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4A Oswego Sectional: Neuqua Valley and Plainfield North Advance

June 3, 2016

By Joey Anderson

OSWEGO, IL- The Oswego sectional semifinal games were played Thursday afternoon as Plainfield North edged Plainfield Central on a walk off single by senior Josh Garner and Neuqua Valley put on a hitting display as they took care of Plainfield East 11-0. Neuqua Valley will now play Plainfield North in the Sectional Championship at Oswego HS on Saturday at 11:00 am.

Plainfield North 8, Plainfield Central 7

The story early was the dominance of Plainfield Central junior pitcher Brandon Callender. He cruised through the first five innings only giving up two runs. During that first five innings, Plainfield Central enjoyed a 7-0 lead by putting up all seven runs in the fourth inning. The big hit of the inning came from the bat of the Wildcat’s senior right fielder Justin Willner, a big two out single adding onto junior first basemen Nathan Yusko’s two-run single earlier in the inning.

Plainfield North went to junior right hander, Arizona State commit Brady Corrigan, and he was able to stop the bleeding. The Tigers responded with two runs in the fourth and five in the sixth to tie the game at 7-7. In the bottom of the seventh, senior catcher and Northern Illinois commit Jake Dunham, was hit by a pitch and was able to make it to second on a passed ball. Another senior, Saint Louis commit Josh Garner, came up and shot a ball in between the third basemen and shortstop and Dunham was able to score from second and complete the comeback for the Tigers.

Statistical Highlights

+ Justin Willner (Central) 1-for-2, 2 RBI, R, 2 BB

+ Jake Dunham (North) 2-for-3, RBI, 2B, 2 R, HBP

+ Josh Garner (North) 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2B, R

 

Neuqua Valley 11, Plainfield East 0

The story of the sectional semifinal between Plainfield East and Neuqua Valley was the dominance of sophomore pitcher James Kulak and the Wildcat bats. Plainfield East threatened in the top of the first after two singles and a walk, but after a 1-2-3 double play and a strike out, it was all Neuqua from there.

Neuqua got Kulak some insurance early by scoring three runs in the first on five hits. Junior shortstop James Gargano doubled off the wall to get things going, then the hits just started pouring on. The Wildcats picked up right where they left off in the second by scoring eight runs on six hits. With every player in the Neuqua line up recording a hit, it was easy for pitcher Kulak to continue to mow down Plainfield East hitters. Kulak kept East off balance all night with his dominant fastball being mixed in with his sweeping breaking ball, as the Wildcats cruised past the Bengals and into the Sectional Championship.

Statistical Highlights

+ Mike Sullivan (Plainfield East) 1-for-2, BB

+ James Gargano (Neuqua Valley) 2-for-4, 2B, R

+ Eric Nelson (Neuqua Valley) 2-for-3, RBI, 3B, BB, 2 R

+ James Kulak (Neuqua Valley) W, 4 IP, 5 K, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB

 

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