Joliet Catholic 13, Schaumburg 2
Thursday's championship of the Schaumburg Flyers High School Classic had the potential to be an exclamation point on a solid week for Schaumburg.
After defeating Mid-Suburban League West Division rival Barrington 4-1 Wednesday, the Saxons entered their matchup against state powerhouse Joliet Catholic with high hopes.
But the Hilltoppers spoiled those plans with a 13-2 victory in five innings at Alexian Field in Schaumburg.
Coach Paul Groot of the Saxons (16-6) put it simply after his team took home a second-place trophy with the loss.
"We got beat by a better club today," Groot said.
Delayed nearly a month because of inclement weather in early April, the title game came in the midst of conference play for both squads.
"It's tough playing this championship classic right in the middle of the season," Groot said. "We're still trying to lock down our conference. We knew we were going to see a real good club and they took it to us."
The Hilltoppers (22-4) scored 4 runs in the first inning against Saxons starter Kyle Pusateri, who gave up 5 earned runs and 8 hits in 2 innings.
The top of the Hilltoppers' lineup went a combined 7-for-16, highlighted by senior second baseman Nick Ratajczak(3-for-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI) and Arizona State-bound senior center fielder John Ruettiger (2-2, 2 runs).
"It (the top of the order) really opens the flood gates and gets the team going every game," said Ruettiger, who earned all-tournament honors.
Trailing 4-0 after a 26-minute top of the first, the Saxons scored twice in the bottom of the inning.
Catcher Dominick D'Agata hit a sacrifice fly to left that drove in Dave Compitellom, and Pusateri followed with an RBI single.
The Hilltoppers added 3 runs in the top of the second, aided by 2 Saxons errors, to take a 7-2 lead.
"They're is a very good offensive club," Groot said. "We just didn't pick up the ball today and made too many costly errors out there."
Hilltoppers starter Steve Kazak pitched 5 strong innings, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits.
Saxons senior George Kalousek and junior Mike Mistrata earned all-tournament recognition, and D'Agata took home the tournament sportsmanship award.