Baseball: Scouting St. Viator in Class 3A semfinals
Baseball: Scouting the Class 3A semifinals
What: Class 3A baseball state semfinal
Where: Silver Cross Stadium in Joliet
When: Friday, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Who: St. Viator (25-15) vs. Lemont (28-9) at 9 a.m. followed by Limestone (30-7) vs. Springfield (33-5).
Saturday's schedule: Third-place game is 9 a.m. followed by the championship at 11 a.m.
St. Viator outlook: St. Viator has been on a roll, winning its last 10 games and 11 of its last 12. The Lions are making their first appearance at state since 1965, when they finished second. St. Viator has a pair of solid starting pitchers in Kevin Napoleon (10-2) and Cole Kmet (10-1). They also have a terrific relief pitcher in Shaun Falbo, who has come on in two of the last three games to pick up the save. The Lions are coming off of one of their best offensive performances when they belted 15 hits in the supersectional. The offense is led by Mike Ragauskis, Kmet, Falbo, Chris Lolli, Jack Sexton and Brett DeSelm, who has filled in admirably for Dan Sullivan, who had a season-ending illness. "We are excited about the opportunity," said St. Viator coach Mike Manno. "We are playing our best baseball right now and it has come at the perfect time." Also watch for the Viator bullpen and subs as they entertain the crowd between innings with their spirited skits. Lemont won the Class 3A title two years ago and lost in the sectionals last year. The Indians are led by Garret Acton, who is headed to play at St. Louis next year, along with Ryan Sublette, who is a junior pitcher. Lemont has outscored five playoff opponents 46-8 and has won six in a row. Its last loss was to East Suburban Catholic Conference opponent Marist. Viator split with Marist this season.
- Dick Quagliano