Unfinished business. It’s a theme that Neuqua Valley senior Michael Gould keeps thinking about right now, especially with this extra time on his hands.
“We had a really good team last year and ran into one of those bad games all teams have,” Gould said. “Everybody was so excited to get back at it again and have our redemption.”
An 11-4 loss to Plainfield Central in the Class 4A Oswego Sectional championship game remains a lasting image for Gould and his Neuqua teammates.
The IHSA’s cancellation of the state tournaments for spring sports has been particularly difficult for baseball teams like Neuqua, which finished 26-8 last season.
The Wildcats, who harbored aspirations of winning a state championship, were planning on being an offensively skilled team that combined power, speed and athleticism.
The headliner? Senior shortstop Nolan Clifford, a Creighton recruit, was one of seven college-bound returning players for the Wildcats.
An infielder, outfielder and relief pitcher committed to Maryville, Gould said Neuqua’s core had played together since they were 9.
“Some of my best friends I have been playing with for the last eight years,” Gould said. “We were always so close. We built a great chemistry, and that is what made us successful.
“We all thought we’d go out and play together for our last year. That would mean the world.”
A senior year the Wildcats were ready to cherish has instead become a lament for a lost season.
Cooper Avery, a senior relief pitcher and Nova Southeastern recruit, said the players had been training since last summer for this moment.
The disappointing loss in the sectional was a source of unity and inspiration.
“Everyone was working really hard throughout the winter,” Avery said. “I definitely thought we could make it very far. We had good pitchers returning — a lot of pitching and hitting that was going to take us very far.”
What sharpened the heightened expectations for the Wildcats was the closeness they had developed.
Gould, Avery and senior catcher Kevin Butler played together with a Naperville-based travel program.
“We had a really good chemistry,” said Butler, a Bellarmine commit. “Earlier in the year, when the season was suspended, we were talking and doing every possible thing to stay close as a team even though we could not practice.
“We were ready to do anything we could if the season ended up going on.”
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Neuqua also could count on senior recruits in outfielders Mason Graham (Illinois-Springfield) and Noah Schnell (College of Lake County) and catcher Carter Stubitz (Wartburg).
The deep friendships on the team have helped the Wildcats cope together with the lost season.
That bond has been a blessing.
“Throughout middle school and high school, we all wanted to keep working to get to college and that next high level,” Avery said. “The year was going to be a showcase for the seniors.
“It is so disappointing, not getting that last season with your friends and having a chance to fight and try to get a state title.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.