New Trier coach Mike Napoleon had a message Thursday for folks who are debating which team is going to succeed his Trevians as state Class AA high school baseball champions.
“Somebody still has to knock us off,” Napoleon said.
Knocking off New Trier might not be easy based on the way the Trevians (22-13) looked Thursday when they routed Niles North 10-0 in a five-inning regional quarterfinal game. The Trevians excelled on the mound, at bat, in the field and on the bases.
Also, New Trier was able to play its game. Rain and lightning forced postponements until Friday of two of the other three games in the New Trier regional–Notre Dame vs. top seed Maine South and Evanston vs. Niles West. This backs up pitching assignments in a regional scheduled to finish Monday. Second-seeded Loyola blanked Glenbrook South 5-0 in the regional’s other game.
“Getting this game played today was very big,” Napoleon said. “Winning in five innings was even bigger. Peter Elmer threw only 61 pitches. So he’ll be ready to pitch Monday. We’ve worked toward pitching on three days’ rest.”
Granted, Niles North (12-17) was not a strong opponent. Yet in every phase of the game New Trier looked like a team peaking at exactly the right time.
Elmer, the 6-foot-6-inch left-handed winning pitcher in last June’s state title game, pitched a one-hitter, struck out eight and walked only one.
Nos. 3, 4 and 5 hitters Ted Rosinski, Tom Geary and Luke Sundheim combined for eight RBIs, including four by Rosinski. Third baseman Chris Harang homered. Peter Harper had three of his team’s 11 hits. And New Trier played errorless ball.
The team also went 8-for-8 on steals, with Harper and catcher Steve Martay each collecting two. The Trevians repeatedly advanced from first to third, and scored from second on singles.
“We worked hard on baserunning,” Napoleon said. “It’s in our mind-set. Our baserunners realize where the outfielders are playing and where the ball is hit. If the outfielders have to move to the ball, they go for the extra base. I’m aggressive, especially if we’re ahead. We’ll take chances.”
