Schaumburg 5, Geneva 4

A stirring and stunning seventh-inning rally put Geneva three outs from a historic victory for its baseball program Wednesday.

In the way was one of the most powerful lineups Schaumburg has assembled as it looked to avoid a repeat of last year's stunning sectional semifinal upset.

And on the second out in the bottom of the seventh, senior Kyle Pusateri's bases-loaded sacrifice fly to center field capped a 2-run comeback and a 5-4 victory for the top-seeded Saxons (24-6) in the Class 4A Larkin sectional semifinal in Elgin.

"Relieved," Pusateri said. "I was hoping for it, that's for sure."

Especially since it was sweet redemption for Pusateri, whose error on a potential game-ending double play ball to second base gave fourth-seed Geneva (21-12) the opening to overcome a 3-1 deficit.

But Schaumburg survived and advanced to a sectional final for the ninth time since 1986. It will play for its fifth title at 10 a.m. Saturday against the winner of No. 2 Wheaton North (21-13) and No. 3 St. Charles North (23-11) in today's 4:30 p.m. semifinal.

"We've been in close games and we know we can hit the ball," said Schaumburg senior George Kalousek, who improved to 9-1 in relief and starts Saturday. "We came in (to the seventh) confident."

Schaumburg left-hander Andy Brandt and Geneva righty Chris Jordan were in a tense 1-1 duel going into the bottom of the sixth.

Cory Hofstetter's first-inning solo homer to right tied Geneva's single-season school record of 12 and added to the team mark of 37. Schaumburg manufactured the tying run in the second on Matt Mistrata's double, Pusateri's sacrifice and Steve Mahler's groundout.

Jordan (6-6) mixed in a palm ball to allow only 2 hits until Kalousek blasted his eighth homer to left-center on the first pitch of the sixth. A two-out error and stolen base by Mahler led to Dan Launhardt's RBI double to right-center.

"Knowing their lineup, that's close to as good as he's pitched in three years on the varsity," said Geneva coach Matt Hahn of Jordan.

Brandt had 4 strikeouts and no walks and came out after Justin Doty's leadoff single in the seventh. Pusateri's error and Sean Grady's infield single set up a two-out, 2-run tying single by Ryan Adams (2-for-4) and an RBI single by Hofstetter (3-for-4).

But the top of Schaumburg's order waited as Geneva was on the verge of its first sectional final trip.

"There's no easy out in their lineup," Hahn said.

Dave Compitello walked and stole second and Dominick D'Agata looped a single to right.

"Right when Dave got on I knew we had a chance of getting two," Pusateri said.

Mike Mistrata ripped a tying single to right and Doty came in to relieve Jordan. Kalousek was intentionally walked and after Matt Mistrata popped out, Pusateri hit a 1-2 pitch that drove Adams deep enough in center to easily score D'Agata.

"We beat a good club," said Schaumburg coach Paul Groot. "I'm proud of the way my kids came back."