Naperville Central senior Jackson Persin stood out in his baseball team’s final game. His uniform was notably stained, a reflection of the hard work and perseverance he and his teammates exhibited throughout a demanding season. Their journey ended with an 11-2 loss to Mount Carmel in the Class 4A third-place game. Despite two tough losses at the state level, the Redhawks, with a record of 30-11, secured their third state trophy, adding to their 2006 and 2010 championships.
Persin expressed pride in their accomplishments. “It means a lot,” Persin said. “It was a long year, and we worked really hard, and it’s nice coming home with something that we can remember.” The season was filled with memorable moments, and Persin played a significant role. He participated in 32 games, beginning as a catcher and later contributing as a designated hitter and third baseman. Against Mount Carmel, Persin started at third base, achieving a 1-for-2 record at the plate and driving in the two runs for the Redhawks.
Naperville Central coach Mike Stock praised Persin’s role. “Jackson has been part of what we’ve done all year,” Stock commented. “He competes against all the best pitchers. He’s one of our best hitters against good pitchers, and their kid was good. So that’s why we put him up at the top of the order.”
Persin batted second behind junior center fielder Jermaine Kenady, who initiated the game with a single and a stolen base. Persin followed with a single to right, scoring Kenady for an early lead. Persin’s hit was the last against Miami-bound pitcher Ian Tosi, who struck out seven in four innings. Meanwhile, the Caravan scored nine unanswered runs, with senior Michael Page managing a pinch-hit triple as the Redhawks’ third and final hit. Persin then hit a sacrifice fly, bringing Page home and marking his last plate appearance with a .263 batting average and 11 RBIs in 57 at-bats.
Coach Stock involved 19 players, including six pitchers, to give the entire team a chance to play. “We’ve got 25 guys here, and everybody can play ball,” Stock said. He appreciated the team’s competitiveness, especially the pitchers, despite a few errors.
Kenady highlighted Persin’s influential role, stating, “He showed us how even though we’re maybe not playing a lot, we’ve got to stay ready and still be confident. Being ready at all times helped us in the long run. I’m really proud of him.” Persin was among the 17 seniors who led the team surprisingly far, winning 15 consecutive matches before falling to Maine South in the state semifinals.
Persin reflected on their unity, saying, “I just think how well we got along. That took us a long way, just the energy we had every single day.” This camaraderie and determination drove their success. Kenady added, “We understood what it took to be here, and we wanted to be here. We did everything we could, so just being out there with the guys for one last time, it made me very happy.”
Kenady, one of the three junior starters, is confident about returning to the state finals. “We still want to do more,” he affirmed. “It’s not the going to be the first time you’re all going to see us.”
Matt Le Cren contributed as a freelance reporter.
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