Brett Lilek fanned 15 in an 11-2 sectional final win over LW West on Saturday. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)
Chicago Heights, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Pat Swanson (3-for-3) scored four runs and Brett Lilek fanned 15 hitters to key an 11-2 victory over Lincoln-Way West on Saturday, giving the Spartans (22-17) the LW West 3A Sectional crown and their first trip to the IHSA Elite Eight in school history.
Marian, winner of five straight, will take on Chicago Simeon in supersectional play on Monday at 5 p.m. at Standard Bank Stadium with a trip to the state finals on the line. Simeon reached the Elite 8 with a 3-2 victory over Chicago Harlan on Saturday.
The Spartans broke open a 2-2 contest with a four-run fourth inning, as Devin Picket smacked a two-run single, Brad Bohlen crushed a sacrifice fly and Pat Schmidt doubled home another run.
Marian put matters away with a five-run sixth inning, courtesy of RBI doubles from Bohlen, Brent Feldner and Mitch Weissenhofer, as well as an RBI-single from Erik Callaghan.
Lilek finished with a three-hitter and didn’t allow an earned run, while his 15-strikeout total was the third highest in Marian history.
Marian had lost to Oak Forest in its lone previous sectional finals appearance in 1986 and the 22 victories is now tied for second-best in school history (27-8-1 in 1986).
