Ben Ford, Waubonsie Valley defeated Metea Valley

In three varsity seasons, Ben Ford has flashed his potential for Waubonsie Valley.

Over the past few weeks, however, coach Bryan Acevedo has watched Ford put it together.

“He’s had varying degrees of success the last two years,” Acevedo said of Ford. “This year, it’s starting to click for him. Two weeks ago he was on a tear. It’s been huge.

“We’ve seen this since he was a sophomore, and we’re finally seeing what we thought he had.”

The tear continued Tuesday in a 7-3 DuPage Valley Conference win at Metea Valley.

Ford, a big outfielder, had an RBI triple in the first inning and closed the game with an RBI double in the fifth before leading off the seventh with his second home run of the season.

Hiroshy Wong hit a three-run homer in the fifth for Waubonsie (8-7, 3-2). Ryan Morton threw a complete game for the win, striking out three and allowing three runs on four hits.

Owen Myket hit a solo homer and Tyler Gluting added an RBI double for Metea (5-7, 1-4).

Ford said he was stressed at times during his first two college seasons. That is no longer the case.

“My sophomore year, I was a sophomore on the varsity and I started a little cold,” Ford said. who comes in at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds. “I felt a little bit of pressure to make it to varsity.

“I feel like this year, I’m like a leader like a senior on this team. I’m more relaxed. I feel more in control. I feel better as a player too.”

Acevedo confirmed how experience and maturity have contributed to Ford’s development.

“I think sophomore and junior year, he was trying to be ‘the guy,'” Acevedo said of Ford. “Now, he’s the guy, but he’s not doing it because he’s trying to do it. He simplified his approach a little bit, and it’s really paid off.

“Understanding what he’s trying to do, that’s taken a little bit of time and he’s definitely matured into that role.”

Ford showed off his new approach Tuesday against Metea with three extra-base hits. Although such performances were sporadic early in his career, they are becoming regular now.

“I’m just looking to go out there and hit the ball hard, find pitches that I can handle and hit well,” Ford said. “I feel like I got some of them (Tuesday) and put some good swings on them.

“I think just resting, sitting back and trusting my training has helped me succeed this season.”

Waubonsie won 3-2 through the fifth Tuesday. A four-run inning erased the deficit and Morton was able to hang on from there. He retired 15 of the last 17 batters he faced.

“Use their pitcher,” Metea coach Steve Colombe said. “We have seen him in the past. He puts the ball down, changes pace very well. It’s hard to run away from him. He is quick to the plate.

“He did a good job of keeping us on balance. He got some poor contact as the game went on.”

Ford hopes to continue his hot streak through the end of this season and then into the start of his college career next season at Illinois Wesleyan.

“I think having a successful year this year will give me a lot of confidence to move to the next level next year in college,” Ford said. “It shows me what I can do and gives me the confidence to keep going.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.