By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
After their 4-0 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory, over Benet Academy on Monday night, the Hilltoppers of Joliet Catholic (25-5, 14-2), needed a win, on Tuesday, to clinch their second consecutive ESCC, outright championship. Before a loud and rowdy Senior Day crowd at Benet Academy, after one-half inning, it appeared to all, that the Hilltoppers would be having a championship celebration, at the conclusion of the game.
After pounding out four runs and five hits, off of Redwing ace Quinn Moriarty, the Hilltoppers led 4-0.
In the Redwing first inning, senior third baseman, Jack Schneider’s RBI single, would score Mike Wymer, who had reached on a Hilltopper miscue. With two outs and the bases full of Redwings, senior Andrew Prisby, would come through with a clutch, two-out, two run, single to pull the Redwings within 4-3. Two-out-Magic!
More from Prisby later.
Moriarty would settle down and shut out the Hilltoppers, over the next five innings.
In the Redwing sixth, Schneider, would pick up his second single of the game and would go to third on a two-out double, from Prisby. On a Hilltopper passed ball, Schneider would streak home with the tying run.
In the top of the seventh, with Hilltopper runners on first and second and two outs, the first play of the game was next.
Benet Academy head coach Scott Lawler, replaced the valiant Moriarty, with Benet Academy’s all-purpose pitcher, Tony Adams.
In the batter’s box stood the dangerous Hilltopper shortstop, Jared Cushing. After a lengthy battle, Adams was able to induce a soft liner to Schneider, at third base to get out of the inning.
“I was able to throw a pitch away from Cushing, on the outside corner,” Adams said. “He hit a soft liner and I was really happy to see Jack in position, to catch it for the final out.”
“This is such a huge win for us, today. We have had a rough stretch lately but this really propels us into the state tournament. “
Adams, mowed down the Hilltoppers, 1-2-3, in the eighth, setting the stage for more, “Two-out Magic”, from Andrew Prisby.
Redwing pinch-hitter Collin Berry, led off the Redwing eighth, with an infield single. Schneider advanced Berry to second, with a perfect sac-bunt. After a second Redwing out, Prisby produced more “Two-out Magic, when he ripped a blast to the right field fence scoring Schneider with the Redwing walk-off winner.
“I got a fastball and I blasted it. It feels great to get this huge win for us,” Prisby said. “Ouinn, kept us in the game after a rough first inning. And we battled back to get the win. All season long my approach at the plate, has been to just put the ball in play.”
“Before the game all our seniors got together and looked out the field,” Moriarty said. “We all said that this will be our last game on this field. We all said that there is no way we will lose our last game on this field. It was truly a story-book ending for us.”
‘I told the kids, that I am so proud of them today,” Lawler said. “To fall behind 4-0, against what many people believe, to be the best high school baseball team in Illinois, and rally back for this huge win, was amazing. Anthony Prisby, was outstanding all day for us. Quinn battled after a rough first inning and what a job by Tony Adams.”
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Downers Grove South 4 Morton 3
The Mustangs (19-8), 13-4) kept pace with Hinsdale South (17-10, 13-4), with the win over Morton on Tuesday. Trailing 2-1, DGS exploded for three runs in the bottom of the fifth, to grab a 4-2 lead. The Mustangs would hold off a seventh inning rally by Morton for the win.
SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE
Lockport 2 Stagg 1
The Porters (18-11, 5-4) won behind a six-hit masterpiece by John Gallet. Gallet struck out six in hic complete-game gem. John Weis had a single and a home run for the Porters. Nolan Weis, singled home the other Porter run.
NONCONFERNCE
Manteno 3 Plainfield North 2
The SPC leading Tigers (21-6) were stunned at home, by the Interstate 8 South’s, Panthers of Manteno (22-5) on Tuesday. The Panthers scored three runs in the top of the second and Panther junior Jacob Smith (2-1), fired a four-hitter at the Tigers, for the win.
Cam Kissel, hammered a solo shot for the Tigers, while Gavin Doyle’s five consecutive game home run streak, came to an end. Doyle settled for a double in four trips.
Lincoln-Way West 7 Minooka 6
The Indians (15-11) trailed 7-1 in their nonconference game in New Lenox, after five innings. Scoring once in the sixth and four more times in the seventh, the Indians rallied to within one, before falling to the host Warriors.
Cole Alstott, led the Indian rally, with two singles and an RBI. Jake Howicz, singled home a pair of Indian runs.