Eric Hurley rounds third to score the first run in a state semi vs. Nazareth Friday. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)
JOLIET-(ENEWSPF)- After splitting a pair of ESCC contests this year, Spartan senior pitcher Brett Lilek made the rubber game against Nazareth Academy look like a mismatch Friday, as the Seattle Mariner-draftee fanned 11 and allowed just two hits to key Marian Catholic to a 3-0 decision over the Roadrunners for a berth in Saturday’s IHSA 3A state title contest.
Marian (24-17) will take on LaSalle-Peru (34-6) at 11 a.m. at Joliet’s Silver Cross Field, as the Spartans seek the second team state crown in school history (football, 1993).
The Spartans, winners of seven straight, scored single runs in three different innings.
After Lilek singled in the bottom of the second, pinch-runner Eric Hurley raced around on Erik Callaghan’s triple for the lone run Marian would need. Senior Rob Cifelli doubled the lead in the third inning when he cracked his first home run of the season to right field.
Marian added insurance in the bottom of the sixth, as Patrick Schmidt cracked a triple to right field and scored on Lilek’s sacrifice fly.
Lilek, who also whiffed 15 in a sectional final victory over Lincoln-Way West, did not allow a runner for Nazareth (30-10) to reach third base.
Lilek also finished 2-for-2 at the plate, while Cifelli and Callaghan were each 2-for-3.
Marian has had four team title-game appearances overall, finishing second in football in 1999 and in girls basketball in 2002.
Scoring:
|
June 8 at Silver Cross Field, Joliet |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9
|
R |
H |
E |
|
NAZARETH ACADEMY |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0
|
0 |
2 |
1 |
||
|
MARIAN CATHOLIC |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1
|
x
|
3 |
8
|
0 |
||
| WP- B. Lilek (7-4). LP- Bartels. | ||||||||||||
