Plainfield North Earns Spot in Regional Championship

Getting the first two outs wasn’t much of a problem for Naperville North.

The third one proved elusive, however, especially in the third inning of ’s 9-2 regional semifinal win Wednesday at .

The No. 1 Tigers (30-2) scored seven runs after two outs in the third, which proved to be the difference against the No. 16 Huskies (11-20).

“We had one good inning and (Patrick Cashman) really pitched well,” Plainfield North coach John Darlington said. “I don’t think he walked a batter and made them hit his pitches to beat him. That’s what we’ve been doing all year. We found a way to put an inning together.”

Leading 2-0, Plainfield North broke it open in the third inning by sending 11 batters to the plate.

Two-run doubles by Caleb Kissel (2-for-3) and Brian Evak were the big blows in the inning. Sean Renzi went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored.

Kyle Palandech and his brother, Kurt, each had three hits for the Tigers.

Cashman struck out 10, scattered eight hits and ran his record to 6-0 with his fifth complete game of the season.

“Our leadoff hitter, Evan (Whaley) was sick today and everybody had to step up in his absence,” Kissel said. “I just wanted to do what’s best for the team. I wanted to get on base and get in.”

Naperville North’s Nick Solak led off the fourth with a double and scored on Mariano Long’s one-out single. Long also doubled later in the game.

In the fifth, Jack Braackman belted a solo home run for the Huskies.

“They are a quality team and I thought their hitters had great at-bats and long at-bats,” Naperville North coach Carl Hunckler said. “For the first time in my 31 years, we did not hit .300 as a team. A lot of people say we’re young, but we have a whole season under our belt.”

Plainfield North will take on No. 8 Plainfield South or No. 10 Joliet West. The latter two teams face off at 4:30 p.m. Thursday; the regional title game is 11 a.m. Saturday.