Northern Valley’s Shaun O’Donnell definitely had a night to remember on Friday.

What he accomplished in the Chargers’ 10-4 Connie Mack victory over North Parkland may be something that’s never been done before in the same game.

The left-handed pitcher not only struck out four batters in one inning, but he also hit a grand slam to help his own cause.

After the win, which boosted Northern Valley’s record to 5-3, he couldn’t decide which one he enjoyed more - so he said the most logical thing.

“I’ll take both,” said O’Donnell, who allowed just two hits and one walk while finishing with 10 strikeouts in five innings of work. “It’s just awesome to be out here playing baseball. We have a nice team. Everybody has good sportsmanship, and I like that.

“My fastball was working, moving it in and out. And then my curveballs, they were sinking in the dirt and they were swinging at it. I’ll take that all the time.”

He’ll also take run support, which he and the rest of the team provided during a six-run third inning.

With the game tied at 4-4, with all four North Parkland runs unearned due to four errors, the Chargers took the lead for good by batting around in the pivotal frame.

After a miscue started the inning, singles by Josh Lichman and Bobby Croneberger produced the go-ahead score. Another hit off the bat of Jackson VanNorman loaded the bases for O’Donnell, who had been struggling at the plate.

The lefty, however, got a 3-1 pitch to drive and crushed it to right-center to clear the bases.

“Usually with a 3-1 pitch, you want to make good contact and put the ball in play,” said O’Donnell. “It was sweet. I got a pitch right down the middle ... Coach was telling me to go, so you just have to turn the bases and put the wheels on.”

“We got him out of a slump, I hope, today,” said Northern Valley head coach Erich Kline. “He has a good swing, but he’s just been having some rough at-bats. That’s probably only his second or third hit of the year. He swings good in the cage. His mechanics are good, and we always preach to stay with your mechanics.”

O’Donnell’s mechanics on the mound were even better.

While not overpowering, he located his fastball in all parts of the strike zone and his misses were just off the plate.

“I usually pitch to contact, pound the strike zone and if they hit it, they hit it,” said O’Donnell. “I trust my fielder’s out there.”

“He always gives us a great effort on the mound,” said Kline. “I love the way he attacks hitters.”

The Chargers’ mentor, now in his 21st season, also loved the big inning that pretty much sealed the victory.

“We finally got a couple key hits, which we’ve been lacking the last few games,” said Kline. “We shifted guys around in the batting order a little because we haven’t been scoring runs ... just to try and get some chemistry going. I think it worked a little bit.”

BUSY SCHEDULE ... Northern Valley has four games in the next seven days. The Chargers host a tough South Parkland team today before entertaining Coplay on Monday. Then they hit the road for games at Salisbury on Wednesday and at Stroudsburg on Friday.

FINISHING UP ... Wesley George pitched a scoreless sixth, striking out one to close out the game. George also reached base in all three of his plate appearances with a hit and two walks.

NO MORE THAN ONE ... Ten different players each scored one run for Northern Valley. In addition to that, the Chargers’ seven hits came from seven players.

STRIKEOUTS GALORE ... O’Donnell’s four strikeouts came in the first inning. On the first strikeout, the batter reached on a passed ball. He then fanned the next three hitters.

North Parkland 121 000 - 4 2 4

Northern Valley 316 000 - 10 7 4

Ondrejca, Treese (3), Brunner (5) and Egge, Rosa (3); O’Donnell, George (6) and VanNorman. W - O’Donnell. L - Treese. HR: Northern Valley - O’Donnell (3rd, three on).