NEW LENOX -- Providence Catholic High School showed once again why it should be among the area's top baseball teams all season.
The Celtics, ranked No. 1 in The Herald News preseason poll, received solid pitching during Wednesday's 7-2 nonconference win over Lincoln-Way Central.
Providence (4-0) used four pitchers, including left-handers Casey Webber, Nick Filetti and A.J. Woynerowski. Righty Tom O'Malley pitched the final two innings.
Filetti (1-0) got the win. The four combined on a 2-hitter around a yield of 5 strikeouts and 3 walks against the Knights (1-1).
"The pitching has been good so far," said Providence coach Mark Smith, whose team features six southpaws. "We made some baserunning mistakes and missed a few signs, like we did Monday against Marist. We are looking for improvement in those areas."
The Knights took a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the third inning. Ryan Carr delivered an RBI single. Later in the inning, Carr and Dan Campbell worked a double steal to make it 2-0. Campbell stole home.
"It was a good game," Lincoln-Way Central coach Marty Dykas said. "Providence got some hits at the right time with guys on base. They're a good team with a lot of talented left-handed pitchers.
"But even with the loss, I'm pleased with where we're at. We beat a very good St. Rita team earlier in the week. So far, we're happy with our play."
After a 3-run third, Providence scored single runs in the fourth and fifth before a 2-spot in the seventh. Senior outfielder Greg Bennett delivered 3 hits and 2 RBIs. Will Burchett contributed an RBI double and Bryan Davis had a run-producing single. Chuck Triana had 3 hits with a double.
The third annual WJOL Area Baseball Invite is Friday and Saturday. The Knights take on Minooka at 2 p.m. Friday at Plainfield South while Providence plays Joliet, also at 2 p.m. on the other Plainfield South diamond.
Saturday's third-place and championship games will be played Silver Cross Field.
"Coach Smith and I were talking before the game," Dykas said. "The WJOL tournament features some excellent teams. The play will be competitive. Every team is capable of beating each other. There is no favorite."
The Celtics and Joliet tied for the tournament championship last year. Joliet Catholic Academy won the initial tourney title.
Earlier this season, Providence beat the Steelmen 4-3. JT downed Minooka 2-0 on Tuesday.
"You could play this tournament eight weeks in a row and have eight different winners," Smith said. "This year is a lot like last year in that the field is wide open with anyone capable of coming out as the champion. If you look up and down the brackets, everybody is good.
"By the end of the year, the winner of the tournament may not go the furthest in the state tournament. It is going to be a fun tournament."
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