Junior shortstop Sean Campbell was excited about his two-out, two-run single that helped the Riverside Brookfield High School baseball team take the lead in the top of the third inning at Nazareth Academy, March 26.
“It was pretty nervewracking coming to the box, but I found a way to execute in a tight situation,” Campbell said.
The undefeated two-time reigning Class 3A state champions, however, scored 10 unanswered runs to defeat the Bulldogs 12-4 in six innings.
Junior Jaden Despe followed Campbell with a run-scoring single that put the Bulldogs (4-6) ahead 3-2. Nazareth (11-0) scored twice in the bottom of third and pulled away with an eight-run fifth.
“It’s a pretty big rivalry. They’re a good team. We want to come out and beat them every time,” said Campbell, who also doubled in the sixth. “I was seeing the ball great today.”
Campbell, who hit well for the 2023 sophomore team, has a .461 batting average with eight runs batted in and three doubles. He’s transitioned well into the heart of the batting order with senior standout Cooper Marrs (.222, home run, 6 RBIs). Senior pitcher Robert Drake has two victories.
“[Campbell has] been our most consistent guy offensively. He’s doing what we’ve been trying to preach, staying short, trying to stay up the middle, to the opposite field. Even his outs have been hard,” RBHS coach Mark Ori said.
Nazareth’s Kamran Alikhan (23) at bat against Riverside-Brookfield during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in La Grange Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Ethan Tucker (22) celebrates with his teammate after scoring the tying run against Nazareth during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in La Grange Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Nazareth’s pitcher Luca Fiore (1) jumps off the mound and field the ball against Riverside-Brookfield during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in La Grange Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s pitcher Wyatt Murphy (19) delivers a pitch against Nazareth during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in La Grange Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s first baseman Wesley Deason (44) fields the ball and makes the toss to first base for the out against Nazareth during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in La Grange Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Anthony Petrucci (4) connects for a hit against Nazareth during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in La Grange Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“I feel like I’m really keeping the ball on a line,” Campbell said. “Last year I kind of struggled a little bit with ground balls. I’m elevating more.”
The Bulldogs started 3-1 and won their March 13 opener 4-3 over Payton in nine innings after tying the game with a two-run seventh. They’ve lost their last two one-run decisions.
“Up and down [season]. Pitching for the most part has been pretty consistent. Offensively, just not putting the ball in play enough, too many strikeouts,” Ori said.
“We did some nice things [against Nazareth]. We had that one big inning. If we take care of the baseball defensively, we’re up or at least in that game until the end. We let things get out of control a little bit.”
