Trying to maximize his encore to last season’s 10-0 record, Waubonsie Valley’s Owen Roberts has been ramping up slowly this spring on the mound.

Roberts finally had the reins taken off Thursday afternoon, but after not pitching at all in 10 days, how would the Indiana State recruit respond?

“It was tough because I hadn’t thrown since last Monday,” Roberts said, shaking his head in agreement. “So I was really eager to get out there and throw the ball.”

As it turned out, Roberts had nothing to worry about.

The senior right-hander threw a complete-game no-hitter in a 3-0 nonconference win at Batavia, striking out 11 and only walking one. The last time he threw a complete game was against Plainfield North in last season’s sectional semifinal, and that also was a no-hitter.

On top of that, Roberts went 2-for-3 and made a handful of defensive plays for Waubonsie (4-4), including one on a bunt attempt to end the fifth inning that nearly broke up the no-hitter.

Cole Ruggeri came up with an RBI single in the fourth to provide all the offense Roberts needed.

Connar Temple looked good for Batavia (3-6-1) in the final tune-up before Monday’s DuKane Conference opener. He worked three scoreless innings, striking out four and allowing two hits.

As is the case with many no-hitters, Batavia’s Darren Barnes gave one a ride in the first inning, but Waubonsie center fielder Chris Leigh tracked it down with an over-the-shoulder catch.

“That was the only ball that was really hit hard and Chris did a nice job of running that ball down,” Waubonsie coach Bryan Acevedo said. “That could have changed not just the no-hitter but the complexion of the game.”

A game like this, however, is what Acevedo has come to expect from Roberts. In his last outing against York, Roberts threw five no-hit innings, giving him 12 in his last two appearances.

“He’s pretty special,” Acevedo said. “Getting to watch him is pretty cool, and I think the guys like playing behind him. We played good defense when the ball was put in play.

“He’s extremely athletic — just a heck of a baseball player.”

Roberts had a simple approach on a cold day.

“I think the curveball was working a lot,” Roberts said. “Then I started working in the change-up at the end. Early on, I used the fastball a lot. Then I started using the off-speed the second time.”

Batavia coach Alex Beckmann walked away impressed.

“There wasn’t much we could do,” Beckmann said. “I thought our approaches, as weird as it seems being no-hit, were great. He was on. He was absolutely in control.

“That was impressive. Hat’s off to him. He did an outstanding job.”

After escaping the fifth with the aforementioned play on the bunt attempt, Roberts struck out the side in the sixth before letting out the most demonstrative emotion of his performance.

“Striking guys out, you get to walk around with some moxie,” he said. “It gets me hyped a little bit.”

When he’s not on the mound, Roberts plays shortstop for the Warriors. When he’s pitching, Ryan Lucas takes over. Lucas fielded the first out of the seventh, followed by a comebacker to Roberts.

Assistant coach Dan Fezzuoglio put on a shift for the final batter and it worked to perfection, with Lucas firing to first base for the final out.

“At first, I was a little nervous because it went up the middle,” Roberts said. “But the shortstop was right up the middle.”

But when the final out was recorded, Waubonsie kept its celebration to a minimum, especially considering Roberts is a threat to throw a no-hitter any time that it’s become familiar.

“I just act like I’ve been there before,” he said. “Never get too high or too low, stay in the middle.”

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