Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

CLEVELAND - St. Ignatius defeated Avon Lake, 3-2, at Case Western Reserve and advanced to Friday's regional final against Toledo St. Francis.

St. Ignatius, ranked 13th (25-6) wouldn't escape without a dramatic finish. The Wildcats led, 3-1, entering the seventh inning and brought on sophomore closer MJ Nara to finish the game. But after quickly getting the first out, Nara's control betrayed him. Nara walked back-to-back hitters and threw a wild pitch, leaving the Shoremen with runners on first and third and one out.

Kyle Kuhar cut the deficit to one run with a sharp groundball just past shortstop Tyler Finkler's outstretched glove. With the tying run on third base, St. Ignatius head coach Brad Ganor brought on talented junior Nick Fabian, who had started the game in left field.

Fabian recorded final two outs to earn his first save. He ended the game when Avon Lake designated hitter Cole Rosmarin hit a routine fly ball to right field, leaving the bases loaded.

Avon Lake scored in the top of the first on an RBI single from Kuhar that scored Jeremiah Campo who scored both runs for the Shoremen in the contest.

But after a shaky first, St. Ignatius starter Tom Rolle (6-0) settled into a groove. He allowed just the one run in 5 2/3 innings while stricking out three batters.

The Wildcats took the lead with three runs in the second inning. Illinois recruit Dan Rowbottom, Finkler and unsigned senior Conor Hennessey, the first three hitters in St. Ignatius' lineup, each drove in a run off Avon Lake starter Brett Kiser.