By Sean Duncan

JOLIET - Sophomore Ryan Perez made state-tournament history, and in the process powered Westminster Christian to the Class 1A state championship after pounding Goreville 15-5 in six innings Saturday at Silver Cross Field.

Perez, who’s more known for his pitching prowess, hit two home runs and drove in seven in leading the Warriors (30-9) to their first state championship. Perez’s seven RBI in the title game set a state record, regardless of classification. In all, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Perez went 3-for-3 with four runs scored. The switch-hitter – and switch-pitcher - got Westminster off to a quick start with a two-run homer in the first inning, then he followed it up with a three-run blast in the second inning.

Even with Perez’s two home runs, Westminster and Goreville (24-12) were tied 5-5 heading into the fourth inning. Perez’s two-run single keyed a five-run fifth inning, as the Warriors scored 10 unanswered runs to employ the mercy rule in six.

Fellow sophomore sensation Kevin Elder (11-4) picked up the win in relief of Perez. The hard-throwing Elder pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Perez and Elder, who combined to throw a no-hitter in the Benedictine Supersectional on Tuesday against Ottawa Marquette, pitched all but one inning in the two state championship games over the weekend.

Junior catcher Frank Oliver went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI for Westminster, Will Woodhouse added two hits and two runs, and leadoff man Brandon Weingartner scored four runs.

Alex Stout and Stefan Messmer paced Goreville with two hits apiece.