When used properly and in the right situations, trust can become a very potent thing.
For Neuqua Valley opponents thus far in 2017, that has become painfully evident amid its 21-0-1 start.
And it starts and ends with chemistry, in the opinion of Butler-bound senior shortstop James Gargano.
“We get stuff done because we know each other, our strengths and weaknesses and we can go on the fly almost,” he said.
Gargano may be the straw that stirs the drink for the Wildcats while operating out of the leadoff spot.
But he’ll be the first to tell you how this group is different from the one who came a victory shy of the program’s fifth sectional title last year.
“There’s no easy outs one-through-nine,” Gargano said of a lineup that has turned its focus to not doing too much and hitting to contact.
That mentality produced 10 games of at least 10 runs through its first 22 games.
Seven players who have played at least 18 games through April were hitting at least .364 – led by junior third baseman Noah Herdman’s .453 – while nine players have at least 10 RBIs.
Led by junior second baseman Ryan Wheeler’s 29 runs out of the two-hole, nine Wildcats had scored at least 10 runs.
“I think we’re not surprised, but we’re definitely happy for our success because we put a lot of work in the offseason,” junior outfielder Jack Rigoni said. “We knew we had good talent coming in this year. … I just think our offense and defense – we’re just playing really well together as a team.”
A 19-game winning streak spanning March 31 to April 29 has put the Wildcats in prime position to claim the program’s first DuPage Valley Conference title.
Of those 19 victories, nine shutouts were sprinkled in for a pitching staff that has taken on the responsibility on calling their own games.
Given that responsibility with his pitchers, junior catcher Jake Wenz has tried to keep things simple.
“All our starters have gone six, 5 ½ innings each start because they pitch to contact and know our defense can get it done,” Wenz said
In 19 years at Neuqua Valley, Robin Renner has won and won at a high level.
But for the man who owns 10 regional titles, four sectional titles and a Class 4A state title in 2007, what’s transpired this spring is different.
“I’m not going to question it,” Renner said. “But like I told the guys, ‘I’m just going to try to stay out of your way, stand back and let you play.’ They’ve done it. They’ve done it. I’ve had a few teams where you just kind of go let them play. This is certainly one of them.”
