In a wild back-and-forth game, it was Wheaton Warrenville South who struck last to upend Benet by the final score of 11-9.

The Tigers of Wheaton Warrenville South (5-2) had just endured giving up eight runs and a 6-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning, when they came to bat in the bottom of the sixth, trailing 9-6. The Tigers fought back however and put together an impressive five-run inning to take back the lead and head into the top of the seventh with an 11-9 lead.

Senior Bradley Novak (North Central College commit) got the big hit to get the scoring started in the sixth for the Tigers. With the bases loaded, two outs and a 3-0 count, head coach John Scherrman, green lighted Novak and he drove a fastball into right-center field for a two-run single, cutting the lead to 9-8. Matt Brennan followed up with a deep two-run double which gave the Tigers the lead once again at 10-9 and advanced to third on the throw home. Matt Zablock followed with an infield single, scoring Zablock and giving the Tigers an 11-9 lead, which they held onto.

Starting senior second baseman, Michael Duttlinger (Lawrence University commit) got on the mound in the seventh and struck out the side picking up the save and preserving the Tigers fifth win of the season.

Benet scored eight of their nine runs on the day in the top of the fifth inning. Benet sent 12 hitters to the plate in the frame, collected five hits, reached on an error three times and walked once. The biggest at-bats of the frame came from the 3-4-5 hitters, who hit three consecutive doubles. Ben Wright started it off with a two-run double to left field then Aaron Staehely (Iowa Western JC commit) and Jared Novak followed suit with run-scoring doubles of their own. Connor Hincks (Virginia commit) delivered the final blow of the frame, a two-strike, two-run single to left field which pushed the Benet lead, at the time, to 9-6.

Unsigned Senior RHP Ryan Keeley got his second start of the season and was on a strict pitch count. The talented 6-foot-3, 190-pound, right-hander is currently ranked No. 45 in the Illinois’ 2019 class and one of the top uncommitted prospects in the state. Keeley was impressive in the first inning, striking out all three hitters he faced, primarily working off of his fastball that sat 85-87 mph, touching 88 with late run and sink. Keeley was not quite as sharp in his second inning and saw his pitch count rise so he was unable to make it out of the inning. Keeley went 1.2 innings, allowed one hit, one unearned run, struck out four and walked two. Keeley should warrant plenty of attention moving forward this spring. 2020 RHP Aiden Monce threw well in relief of Keeley going 2.1 innings, scattering two hits, no runs, no walks and striking out two.

Wheaton Warrenville South jumped out to an early 6-1 lead after two innings thanks to putting up back-to-back three spots in their first two plate appearances. On the day, the Tigers collected 10 hits with all but one starter collecting at least one hit. Senior CF Joe Adamek led the way going 2-for-4 with three runs, a double and an RBI.

Benet actually out hit the Tigers 11-10 in the game. Hincks went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored for Benet. Staehely, Novak and Mike Wymer all collected two hits in the loss.

For more in-depth notes from the games - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog later.

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