Neuqua Valley’s Geoff Rowan was so focused on the task at hand he didn’t notice the history book staring at him.
The junior came through and wrote his name into the record book with an 11-0, five-inning no-hitter against Washington (Ill.) in the semifinals of the Class AA state tournament Saturday.
“As soon as the bottom of the first came up and we were up 5-0, I said, ‘All right. Now I can deal,’ ” said Rowan (8-2), who collected his fourth win of the playoffs in 61 minutes.
By the time the right-hander realized his situation, Neuqua led 9-0.
“I caught the scoreboard as I ran out. I was, ‘All right — let’s see what happens,’ ” he said. “Someone said their 3-4-5 hitters were coming up. I said, ‘That will be interesting.’ “
Rowan retired the final six hitters to record the first no-hitter in a state tournament since 1997, and first in a Class AA semifinal. Washington’s only baserunners came from an error and a walk in the second inning.
Neuqua banged out 13 hits, including two each by Rowan, Adam Carver, Pete Vitale (two doubles), Anthony Amedei and Pete Back (triple).
Young guns
A number of underclassmen made an impact on the big-school Elite Eight. The majority of them were on the Brother Rice roster. The Crusaders will return their entire starting lineup and top three pitchers.
“We will be back [in Joliet] next year,” said second baseman and three-time Catholic League all-conference player Mike McQuillan. “I think a lot of us surprised ourselves, what we could do.”
Fourth for Brother Rice
Surprise semifinalist Washington outslugged Brother Rice 10-6 in the third-place game. Brother Rice (29-12) scored six straight runs for a 6-2 lead after four innings but couldn’t hold on. Losing pitcher Ryan Wischhover (5-4) had two hits and RBIs for Brother Rice. The Crusaders took home the school’s third trophy and first since 1981.
