Jackson Persin, a senior at Naperville Central, made his mark during the final game of his baseball career. Fans couldn’t help but notice Persin’s notably dirty uniform pants, a curious sight given the artificial field at Joliet’s Slammers Stadium. ‘They’re just stained at this point,’ he explained, clarifying that washes alone couldn’t remove the marks.
The stained pants symbolized how Persin and his teammates persevered through a challenging season, culminating in an 11-2 defeat to Mount Carmel in the Class 4A third-place showdown. Despite facing tough losses at the state finals, the Redhawks (30-11) celebrated earning their third state trophy, a valuable addition next to their state championship wins from 2006 and 2010.
‘It means a lot,’ Persin said about the accomplishment. ‘After a long season filled with hard work, bringing back a memento is special.’ Throughout the season, Persin contributed significantly, participating in 32 games as a catcher, designated hitter, and third baseman. Against Mount Carmel, he took the field as a third baseman. Battling Miami-bound pitcher Ian Tosi, Persin managed a 1-for-2 performance, driving in both Redhawk runs.
Naperville Central coach Mike Stock praised Persin: ‘Jackson has consistently performed throughout the year.’ Stock noted Persin’s strong track record against top pitchers, which earned him a place at the top of the order. Persin batted second, following junior center fielder Jermaine Kenady, who initiated the bottom of the first with a single. Kenady advanced by stealing second, and Persin capitalized with an opposite-field single, driving Kenady home and giving the Redhawks an early lead.
That single was the last hit Tosi allowed, as he struck out seven batters over four innings. Meanwhile, the Caravan tallied nine consecutive runs. Senior Michael Page, a North Central College commit, later led off the fifth inning with a pinch-hit triple—one of only three hits for the Redhawks. Persin added his final RBI with a sacrifice fly, allowing Page to score.
Reflecting on his season, Persin expressed satisfaction: ‘Playing one final time with the team was rewarding, and contributing was always my aim.’ He concluded the season with a .263 batting average and 11 RBIs over 57 at-bats.
Coach Stock rotated 19 players, using six pitchers in the game. ‘We have a capable roster of 25. It was crucial to let players, who hadn’t played recently, join the competition,’ Stock said. He acknowledged some gameplay errors but expressed pride in the team’s overall mound performance. Kenady echoed these sentiments, highlighting how Persin’s readiness served as a model.
Persin led a senior class of 17 players that advanced further than anticipated when the season commenced. They had an impressive streak of 15 consecutive victories before a 9-1 loss to Maine South in the semifinals.
‘Our strong camaraderie propelled us, energizing us daily,’ Persin noted. Kenady emphasized the team’s ambition and commitment: ‘Our desire to succeed guided us here, and sharing these moments with the team is fulfilling.’ Kenady, promising a return to the finals, concluded, ‘You’ll see us again. We aim for more.’
Matt Le Cren contributed as a freelance reporter.