Romano, St. Viator hit it big against Vernon Hills

St. Viator's Robert Romano had a wager with his father Tom on how many Vernon Hills batters he would strike out Saturday in the Class 3A regional baseball title game in Elmwood Park on Saturday.

Romano lost his wager, but pitched to Lions to their sixth regional title and first since 2006 in a 7-1 win over Vernon Hills.

The Lions advanced to Wednesday's 4:30 p.m. Johnsburg sectional semifinal against Marian Central Catholic, which won its regional 4-3 over Richmond-Burton.

"I said I would get nine," said Romano, who fanned eight of the Cougars while pitching his first complete game of the year.

"I had trouble with my curve, but my fastball was working. I threw about 95 percent fastballs."

Romano, who is a junior, scattered 7 hits while upping his record to 8-2 and setting a school record for wins in a season.

While Romano was keeping Vernon Hills at bay, St. Viator (18-18-1) got a lift offensively from Jake Mastrangeli. The senior ignited a 4-run fourth with a leadoff triple.

"We needed something to start us," said Mastrangeli, who was 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored. "I felt real good about that."

After two consecutive hit batters, Brendan King lined an 0-2 pitch to left, scoring Mastrangeli and Derek Noel, who was running for Rick Perotti.

"I went down in the count so I just changed my approach," King said. "I just wanted to make solid contact and I did."

Julian Sipiora, who was 2-for-2, later followed with a two-out single, scoring King and David Alameda.

The Lions followed with 2-runs in the fifth without a hit. The Lions took advantage of Vernon Hills' only error, added in a three hit batters, a wild pitch and a walk.

St. Viator added an extra run in the sixth when Anthony Quagliano doubled deep to center, scoring Mastrangeli.

"All the hard work we have done paid off," Viator coach Mike Manno said. "With all the things that have happened this this year, it kind of takes the sting away."

Vernon Hills (21-16), which entered the game with a 7-game winning streak, avoided the shutout in the seventh. M.J. Crowley, who was 3-for-3, singled in Chris Argianas. Scott Kempel had 2 hits for the Cougars.

"We played solid ball the last couple of weeks," Vernon Hills coach Jay Czarnecki said. "I have to tip my hat to St. Viator. They got key hits when they needed them."