With Naperville Central and Wheaton North both getting most of the attention when it comes to the DuPage Valley Conference race, Naperville North is looking to break in.
On Monday, it got its chance against the two-time defending champions in the DVC, Wheaton North.
Unfortunately for the Huskies, Lake Bachar got in the way.
Firing six strong innings while fanning 10, Bachar led the way as the Falcons began their quest for a third straight conference crown with a 5-3 victory over Naperville North in Naperville.
“He overmatched us at times, but I think he’s going to do that to a lot of players and teams this year,” Naperville North coach Carl Hunckler said of Bachar. “We had some kids who couldn’t catch up to his fastball.”
Getting his third victory on the season, Bachar scattered five hits while walking just two.
Bachar fanned at least two guys in three different innings.
“(Bachar) was (good Monday). Good lineup he beat, too,” Wheaton North coach Dan Schoessling said. “(The Huskies) can always swing it and they’re going to put pressure on any pitcher out there.”
Winning its eighth straight game, Wheaton North (8-1, 1-0 DuPage Valley) made the most out of the six hits it pieced together on offense.
Jeff Harper got the Falcons on the board with a two-run single off Bachar’s counterpart, Colin Ash, in the second, while Ryan Kent was the lone Falcon to collect more than one hit.
“We’re playing great team baseball right now. It’s always great to get the first victory in the first conference series,” Kent said. “(The Huskies) are a good team. They can swing the bat and we just played great team baseball (Monday).”
Ash went 5 1/3 innings for Naperville North (4-3, 0-1 DuPage Valley), giving up five runs, three earned, on five hits.
But it’s the seven walks Ash issued on the afternoon that has Hunckler most concerned looking forward.
“Not good. Yes, yes (it’s been an issue) and that’s something he knows he needs to improve upon,” Hunckler said. “I don’t care what level you’re at, you walk seven (and) there’s a good chance you’re not going to win the game.”
The Huskies got all three of their runs in the third inning as Bachar balked in a run and John Sagen knocked in a pair of runs on a bloop double to left, giving them a short-lived 3-2 lead.
