Tigers roll past Wilson

Northwestern came into the District 11 playoffs Wednesday with a full head of steam and rolled to an easy 15-0 win over Wilson in a game shortened to three innings by the 15-run mercy rule.

The win sends Northwestern to the district championship game for the first time since the 1990s. The win was a combination of hot bats, a wild pitcher and weak defensive play from Wilson.

Tyler Wiik put Northwestern on the board with an RBI double in the first to make it 1-0. The Tigers busted things open in the second inning when they sent 14 players to the plate and scored 10 runs. Trevor Schreiner had a two-run single in the inning, and Mason Vogwill drove in three runs.

Things started to fall apart when Austin Stasko dropped a bunt in front of the plate in an attempt to advance a runner from first. Catcher Brandon Smith threw the ball down the right field line, allowing a run to score and Stasko to advance to third base.

A sacrifice fly and passed ball produced two more runs and Vogwill doubled to left to drive in two more runs. Another throwing error allowed Vogwill to score the final run of the inning.

“This gives us a huge confidence boost; to come out here and put up 15 runs in three innings is amazing,” said Vogwill. “It gives us confidence to keep rolling through the next game, and to keep our heads up.”

Northwestern would use four walks – one intentional – and two hits to push across three runs, and load the bases in the bottom of the third to make it 14-0. Needing just one more run to reach the mercy rule, a booted ground ball allowed Rafe Perich to score from third to end the game. In all, Northwestern batters drew nine walks in the game.

In its two district games, Northwestern has outscored its opponents 24-2 to advance to the championship game. The offensive outburst comes on the heels of a 4-0 loss to Southern Lehigh in the league semifinals.

“That game against Southern Lehigh was probably the best thing to ever happen to our team because I think we looked at the league playoffs on paper and said ‘we have a really good shot at winning this,’” said Northwestern coach Duran Porrino. “I don’t think we prepared well enough – and that starts with me as a coach – I don’t think that we put in the work that we needed to in order to win the league tournament.

“That was a wake-up call for me, for the players, for the seniors on this team, that was huge.”

Andrew White started on the mound for Northwestern and allowed just one hit. He did walk two in the third inning to load the bases with two outs, before coming back to strike out Smith to end the threat.

ALL HANDS ON DECK ... Perhaps the biggest part of needing just three innings to eliminate Wilson is that White was able to keep his pitch count low enough so he, along with every other Tigers pitcher, will be eligible to pitch Saturday in the district championship game at Coca-Cola Park.

“It’s an awesome feeling knowing that we’re going into the championship game with all of our pitchers,” said Porrino. “We’re in a good spot because we have every single pitcher available for Saturday.”

BRING ON THE VIKINGS ... Central Catholic beat Palisades 7-1 in the other semifinal game. The Vikings and Tigers will play for the District 11 championship Saturday at 1:45 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park.

Wilson 0 0 0 - 0 1 3

Northwestern 1(10)4 - 15 8 0

A. Snyder, K. Snyder (2) and Smith; White and Wiik. W - White. L - A. Snyder.