Semifinals as far as Benet goes
One bad game - as bad as it was - won't define a tremendous summer run for Benet's baseball team.
Wednesday's 10-0 loss to Marist, however, will be a tough one to shake off. Especially considering the stakes.
The RedHawks rolled into the Phil Lawler Summer Classic championship game with the 5-inning victory over East Suburban Catholic Conference rival Benet at Lisle's Benedictine University. It was a stunning turnaround after Benet had allowed only 2 runs in its previous five games and notched three shutouts, including a 2-0 win over St. Charles East that propelled the Redwings into the semifinals.
"We played really well up until today," said Benet first baseman Dan Sobolewski. "We laid an egg a little bit but that's all right. We had a good summer. This is the farthest Benet's ever gone in this tournament and we're hungry for next year."
After both teams went down in order in the first inning, Marist struck for the only runs it needed in the second inning thanks to 2 runs on a wild pitch and 2 more runs on an error. The 4-0 advantage was plenty for RedHawks starter Brandon Hanik, who allowed only 2 hits - doubles by C.J. Birck and Sobolewski - while striking out four and walking none.
Marist faces the winner of Wednesday's second semifinal between St. Charles East and Lincoln-Way North at 7 p.m. Thursday at Benedictine.
"It was great going on the mound knowing I had a great lead behind me," Hanik said. "Just pitched my game."
Brian Wood singled home Marist's fifth run in the top of the third before the RedHawks broke open the game with a 5-run fourth. Elijah Hayes started the scoring with an RBI single, John Carmody drove in 2 runs with a single, Bob Gorman doubled in a run, and Wood drove in another run with a sacrifice fly, but Marist also took advantage of 3 Benet errors.
The Redwings committed 5 errors in five innings, something that also flew in complete contrast to the tight defense Benet played leading up to Wednesday's loss. As clean as they played the last two weeks, the Redwings couldn't keep it up against Marist.
"We ran out of gas, but I can't tell you how proud I am of the guys," said Benet coach Scott Lawler. "The wheels fell off today. We played such a clean game for the last two weeks, but we looked tired today and we played like it. And Marist played really well. I don't want to take anything away from them because they played great."