Naperville Central’s Jackson Persin Reflects on Memorable Baseball Season

During his last baseball game, Naperville Central senior Jackson Persin grabbed attention as much for his stained uniform pants as for his on-field performance. Playing at Slammers Stadium in Joliet, Persin noted, “They’re just stained. I’ve washed them. It won’t come out.” Indeed, the pants symbolized how he and his teammates pushed through a challenging season, concluding with an 11-2 defeat to Mount Carmel in the Class 4A third-place match. Despite losses, the Redhawks achieved their third state trophy in program history, adding to wins from 2006 and 2010.

“It means a lot,” Persin expressed. “It was a long year, and we worked really hard. It’s rewarding to come home with something memorable.” Persin played in 32 games this season, contributing as a catcher, designated hitter, and third baseman. He started at third base in the final game against Mount Carmel, where he batted 1-for-2, bringing in both of the Redhawks’ runs.

Naperville Central coach Mike Stock commended Persin’s performance, stating, “He competes against all the best pitchers. He’s one of our best hitters, so that’s why we placed him high in the order.” Batting second, Persin followed junior center fielder Jermaine Kenady’s single with an opposite-field hit, driving in the first run.

Facing Mount Carmel’s Miami-bound pitcher Ian Tosi, Persin’s hit was the last Tosi allowed after striking out seven batters over four innings. Mount Carmel then scored nine straight runs, while senior Michael Page hit a triple before Persin recorded his final RBI with a sacrifice fly. Persin ended the season with a .263 average and 11 RBIs.

Reflecting on his experience, Persin said, “It was a good time. I just wanted to contribute.” The Redhawks used 19 players in the game, with six pitchers taking the mound. “Except for a couple errors, I thought we competed well,” Stock noted.

Persin’s leadership inspired his teammates. “He showed us the importance of staying ready and confident,” Kenady remarked. Persin’s efforts helped the team exceed expectations, including a 15-game winning streak before falling to Maine South in the semifinals. Persin highlighted the strong team camaraderie, stating, “The energy we had took us far.”

Kenady expressed pride in their achievements. “We did everything we could. Seeing the joy in the guys was fulfilling.” Looking forward, Kenady promised, “We still want to do more. You’ll see us again.”