Baseball: Redhawks Fall At Oswego

OSWEGO – After graduating the vast majority of last year’s Class 4A state championship team,’s baseball team can expect some growing pains.

The Redhawks suffered one of those in Tuesday’s non-conference game at Oswego.

After posting a solid win over Fremd in the season opener Saturday, Central fell behind early and never recovered in a 9-1 loss Tuesday.

“We got in a little bit of trouble early,” Central left fielder Conor Philbin said. “We needed somebody to make a play. (Coach Bill Seiple) reiterated that after the game. Today, we didn’t have anybody step up. If you can’t make a play with two outs, you’re not going to win.”

Oswego (2-1) was able to do that early on. Central (1-1) threatened in the top of the first after Ian Lewandowski and Philbin notched two-out singles. But Oswego first baseman Parker Meek dug out a bad throw from shortstop Kevin Tidaback to end the threat, and followed that up by scoring three unearned runs in the bottom of the first to take command.

“It could have easily been 2-0 Naperville Central,” Seiple said. “Instead, they made the play and were able to get out of it, and we weren’t able to do it.”

Sophomore Jimmy Nashert is one of the new players the Redhawks will be looking to this spring, and he had a rough outing in his first varsity start on the mound. He gave up six runs, three earned, in three innings of work. He walked four and only struck out two, getting out of the second when Tidaback popped up a bunt attempt that turned into a double play.

“Jimmy’s going to be able to pitch for us,” Seiple said. “I thought he had pretty good stuff, but he can’t be 3-1 on every guy. That’s what we saw today. He’ll learn to compete. He’s got good enough stuff. But he’s not going to be a guy that will be a double-digit strikeout guy. We want him to hit bats.”

Meanwhile, the Redhawks struggled with veteran Oswego left-hander Scott Allegretti. He improved to 2-0 with five solid innings of work. A leadoff double from Philbin in the fourth led to Central’s lone run. Allegretti struck out five and walked none, allowing only three hits.

“He knew what he was doing,” Philbin said. “He was around the zone. He’s a good pitcher. It’s the first lefty we’ve faced, but there’s really no excuse.”

Central will not get much time to dwell on the loss. The Redhawks travel to Waubonsie Valley Wednesday at noon, so they will have to have a short memory. Lewandowski will toe the rubber for Central.

“We’ll be fine,” Seiple said. “Despite the score, and I don’t like to get beat as much as anybody, we’re worried about April 10 when we start our (DuPage Valley Conference) season. That’s what we’re looking at. I’m not worried.”