Joliet, IL-(ENEWSPF)- After Marian Catholic had rallied from an 8-1 deficit with a thrilling seven-run sixth inning, Saint Viator pushed across two runs in the top of the seventh inning Saturday to hand Marian a 10-8 setback in the IHSA Class 3A state title contest at Joliet Slammers Stadium.
Sophomore Jordan Smevoll was starting pitcher for Marian Catholic.
After a disappointing first-five innings where Saint Viator out-scored Marian Catholic 8-1, the Spartans found new life in the bottom of the sixth. The sweltering heat and periodic breezes mattered less as the men left the game tied at the end of the inning.
Errors and walks assisted the rally, in addition to RBIs from Pierce Jones, Christian Beal and Dan Gutierrez. The Spartans left the bases loaded to end the sixth, then had the tying run at the plate to conclude the contest.
Beal rapped three hits, while Wyell Woods scored twice in the contest. Angelo Cantelo collected the lone other RBI for Marian, knocking home Woods in the fourth to bring the Spartans to within 4-1 at the time.
The third time was the charm for Saint Viator (25-15) in the postseason, as the Lions knocked out Benet Academy, Carmel Catholic and Marian Catholic, three teams that had swept St. Viator in ESCC play. Marian had claimed earlier 5-1 and 8-1 ESCC victories over the Lions.
Marian won the 2012 Class 3A championship with a 10-2 decision over LaSalle-Peru in its lone other baseball title-game appearance. The Spartan girls volleyball squad topped Marian Central Catholic to win the IHSA crown in the fall, as both title contests for Marian this year featured all-ESCC matchups.
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Marian Catholic High School is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school within the Dominican tradition of study, prayer, community, and preaching. Marian Catholic students seek truth, exhibit personal responsibility, cultivate their individual talents, and demonstrate ethical leadership and Christian service.
