Marist and Edwardsville matched up in a Super-Sectional game at Lincoln Land CC in Springfield on Monday afternoon. With the level of play and caliber of each club, this matchup had the makings of being played in the state finals. Unfortunately, only one could advance. The back-and-forth affair ended with Edwardsville on top of Marist by a 6-5 margin. The win sends Edwardsville back to Joliet for the second time in three years.

Edwardsville (35-5) senior shortstop Josh Ohl delivered the hit of the game. With the score even at four in the top of the seventh, Ohl (SIU-Edwardsville commit) lined a two-out, two-strike RBI single to right field. The single scored Drake Westcott (Louisville commit) from second base, who had reached on an intentional walk and stole second. Catcher Dalton Wallace tacked on another run to make the score 6-4 heading to the bottom of the seventh.

IL: 4A Springfield Super-Sectional

SS Josh Ohl gives @EvilleTigerBB the 5-4 lead w/ a two-out, two-strike single to RF, scores @DrakeWestcott who was intentionally walked (for the third time). 1st and 2nd, 2 outs pic.twitter.com/ejgiUojqy0

— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 4, 2019

Down to their final three outs and down two, Marist (26-11) loaded the bases with nobody out. Collin Salter, the Edwardsville reliever was able to induce a 6-4-3 double play. The double play allowed a run to score but Edwardsville gladly traded two outs for the run. Two batters later, with the tying and winning runs on the corners, Salter forced Justin Janas to fly out for the final out of the game and preserve the 6-5 win.

IL: 4A Springfield Super-Sectional@EvilleTigerBB are heading to Joliet and the 4A State Finals. Knock off @MaristBaseball 6-5. Marist had the tying run on third base but Collin Salter gets the fly out to end it. #IHSAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/53bYRnbVRW

— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 4, 2019

A trio of homeruns changed the complexion and momentum of the game throughout. First it was Westcott, who started things off for Edwardsville, in the top of the first inning with a majestic solo home run to just right of center field. Then in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Marist trailing 3-2, Notre Dame commit, Jack Brannigan, launched a down and in fastball over the left-field fence for a two-run home run. Finally in the top of the sixth inning, John A. Logan commit, Max Ringering, capped off his huge night with a solo home run. The home run tied the game up at four. Ringering finished the game 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI and a walk.

IL: 4A Super-Sectional

Down in Springfield, @DrakeWestcott gives @EvilleTigerBB a 1-0 lead over @MaristBaseball after the T1 with this solo blast. #IHSAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/AGN5QczYbK

— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 3, 2019

The Edwardsville pitching staff threw well against one of the most talented offensive clubs in the state, full of Division I talent. Matthew Boyer (St. Louis commit) went four innings, scattered six hits, three runs, struck out three and walked three. Dawson Taylor (John A. Logan commit) struck out four and allowed one run in his two inning appearance while Collin Salter got the save, striking out two and not allowing a hit in his inning.

Janas, who also started on the mound for Marist and got the no decision, went 4-for-5 at the plate.

Edwardsville will play Hampshire in the State Semi-Finals, held at Route 66 Stadium, on Friday at 5:00 p.m.

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