By Sean Duncan

 

JOLIET - In a rematch of last year’s Class 3A state championship game – with a starkly different result – No. 4 Chatham Glenwood made quick work of Joliet Catholic Academy with a 17-5 five-inning victory in the Class 3A state semifinals Friday at Silver Cross Field.

 

The Titans (31-4) made it clear from the outset that they were going to exact revenge from last year’s 3-2 defeat in the championship game. Glenwood led 14-0 after three innings, putting the Titans well on their way to a date with underdog DeKalb in Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game.

 

For the Titans, the fact they are in position to win the school’s first state championship since 1996 was the only point of emphasis, not whom the beat.

 

“Today we just played the game very well and it didn’t matter we were playing JCA,” said Eastern Illinois-bound catcher Jacob Reese.

 

Glenwood coach Pat Moomey said the team had been struggling offensively throughout the playoffs. Try telling that to Joliet Catholic (22-15) and its fans, who witnessed the Titans pound out 18 hits – one shy of a state tournament record – three home runs and nine extra-base hits.

 

“We were ready for them, but we didn’t expect 17 runs,” said JCA senior left fielder John Gerl, who had a double and a RBI. “I think that’s the best hitting team I’ve ever seen before.”

 

Third baseman Jake Ingold did the bulk of the damage for the Titans. Ingold enjoyed a day to remember, as the Illinois State recruit tied a state record with seven RBI behind a pair of three-run homers. For good measure, he also had a run-scoring double as part of the Titans’ four-run first inning, and capped his 4-for-4 day with a single in the fourth. His three-run homer in the second inning staked the Titans to a 7-0 lead. Glenwood poured on seven more runs in the third inning, keyed by Ingold’s second three-run shot, his 12th of the season.

 

Junior first baseman Phil Maton followed Ingold’s blast with a taper-shot of his own that hit the left-field scoreboard.

 

“When we get everyone rolling like that we’re hard to beat,” said Ingold.

 

No kidding.

 

Senior DH Dallas Henderson went 3-for-3 with two runs, and Reese, Jake Lance, Jared Turner and Jake Fulks each had two hits. The offense was obviously more than enough for senior Bryce Sablotny, who improved to 10-1 after allowing seven hits with one strikeout.

 

“It’s a credit to Chatham,” said Joliet Catholic coach Jared Voss, who has guided the program to three consecutive state appearances. “They did an unbelievable job swinging the bats, and they just kept hitting.”

 

Catcher Nate Ruzich led JCA with two doubles and an RBI, and Tyler Wilson added two hits and two runs scored. JCA will play for third place at 9 a.m. Saturday against Marian Central Catholic.

 

In the other semifinal game, DeKalb defeated Marian Central Catholic 6-1 despite losing its shortstop and left fielder in a vicious collision in the first inning.

 

DeKalb (27-10), a surprise to be in the state semifinals, jumped out to a 5-1 lead through three innings and never looked back. Senior Jake Lemay (4-5) pitched 6 1/3 innings of relief, striking out eight and allowing six hits to earn the win.

 

The Barbs had a major scare in the first inning when shortstop Brian Sisler and left fielder Jake Gordon collided converging on a fly ball. Both players were motionless for a while, and were eventually taken to the hospital. Both players suffered concussions, and Sisler required 14 stitches in his ear.

 

Centerfielder Scott Franzegrote led Marian Central Catholic (27-10) by going 4-for-4.