NEW LENOX, IL - No. 1 Joliet Catholic and No. 5 Providence Catholic squared off at Providence Catholic on Thursday afternoon in the WJOL Tournament. The Hilltoppers of Joliet Catholic (5-1) rallied with four runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat Providence Catholic (3-3) by a score of 4-3.

Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, Joliet Catholic used four walks, a hit-by-pitch, an error and one single to put four runs on the board and take a 4-3 lead into the seventh. The one hit of the inning was a big one and came from Texas Tech commit Jared Cushing. With one-out and the bases loaded, Cushing lined a game-tying single sharply to right-field which scored Matt Bebar from third base. Missouri State commit, Greg Ziegler, came to the plate two batters later with the game tied at three, two outs and the bases loaded. Ziegler, who got two quick strikes on him, worked the count back to full before taking a fastball inside for a ball. The walk forced in the runner from third base and gave the Hilltoppers the 4-3 heading into the seventh.

LHP Alex Vera came in for Joliet Catholic and worked a quick one-two-three inning to give the Hilltoppers the unlikely victory.

Providence Catholic starter Bryce Barnett was the culprit of the tough no-decision. The junior, Arizona State commit, was on his game through the first five innings, scattering two hits, no runs and striking out four. He came back out for the sixth inning but was pulled after walking consecutive hitters to lead off the frame. Barnett came out of the gates hot in the first inning. His fastball sat 88-90 mph, touching 91 once. He also flashed his patented slider that was up to 80 mph.

Providence Catholic got out to an early 3-0 lead after the first two innings. Alex Helmin jumped on the first pitch of the game for a single to left-center field and would later come around to score on a Nick Jones two-run double down the left-field line. Helmin, an Arizona State commit, then sliced a ball down the right-field line in the second inning for an RBI triple.

Zak Gould picked up the victory on the mound for Joliet Catholic. Gould a Memphis commit, worked one inning out of the bullpen and struck out two.

Cushing led the way offensively with two hits and an RBI for Joliet Catholic.

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

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