By Drake Skleba

LISLE – Joliet Catholic Academy’s All-Stater shortstop Chris Tschida used his powerful bat to lead the Hilltopppers to a 7-4 semifinal victory over St. Laurence in the 2012 IHSBCA/Lawler Summer State Tournament at Benedictine University. With the win JCA moves on the Phil Lawler State Championship Game at 7 on Saturday at Benedictine against Lyons Township (31-4-1).

Tschida had three hits, including a two-run bomb, and had three RBI for JCA (19-2). With the three hits today, Tschida is 7-for-11 in the tournament with a homer and 7 RBI.

“Great game. We were a little shaky defensively,” said Tschida. “I’m the DH so I have to get the big hits for us. It felt great to hit the two-run homer.”

Tschida drove in the first run of the game on a sac-fly in the top of the first to give the Hiltoppers a 1-0 lead. Tschida’s two-out, two-run bomb to left made the score 3-0 in the third.

The Hilltoppers broke open the game with a four-spot in the fourth. The PBR‘s No. 1-ranked Class of 2015, Nick Dalesandro, highlighted the four-run explosion with a booming two-run double to right. Dalesandro is 6-for-11 in the tournament with 7 RBI.

St. Laurence (19-3) scored twice in the fifth and sixth to cut the lead to 7-4. With the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth, JCA senior LHP Matt Testa, retired Laurence junior second baseman Mike Kornacker on a pop up to third to preserve the lead.

Dalesandro closed out the Vikings with a 1-2-3 seventh to pick up the save for Hilltopper starting and winning pitcher Cal Placher.

“I’ve been swinging the bat well this week,” said Dalesandro. “When I went to the mound in the seventh I just wanted to throw strikes and let my defense make the plays. We’re going to go out and just play our game tonight.”

Joliet Catholic senior 1B Ryan Peter chipped in with a pair of hits for JCA.

“This is great to be playing in the final game of the summer. 147 teams started out in this tournament and we are now down to two,” said Joliet Catholic head coach Jared Voss. “Chris and Nick have had great tournaments and this was a big win over a quality St. Laurence squad.”

Nick Tholl led St. Laurence with a 3-for-4 day and had a great tournament for the Vikings.

“We made some mistakes defensively again.” said St. Laurence head coach Pete Lotus. “We battled back and had our chances to win this game. We just couldn’t get the big hit.”