Prairie Ridge wins 4A

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JOLIET -- Prairie Ridge didn't start its season out in a good fashion after splitting its first 12 games but it ended it impressively by winning 26 of its last 28 contests, including the final 14 in a row.

The Wolves scored 2 runs in the sixth inning to rally for a 3-2 victory over Oak Park in Saturday's initial IHSA Class 4A Baseball championship game at Silver Cross Field.

That capped a successful first state appearance for Prairie Ridge (32-8) while the Huskies (29-10-1) fell short of winning their first title since 1981 and their third overall.

Reliever Nick Martini (7-2) only allowed 1 hit and struck out 3 during the last 3 innings to pick up the win for the Wolves.

Starter T.J. Swank allowed 3 hits and struck out 5 in the first 4 innings.

Prairie Ridge grabbed a 3-2 lead in the sixth after Swank (2 RBI) tripled to center to score Martini and pinchrunner Kevin Kaczmarski came home on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Jacoby.

"This definitely feels great," Swank said. "We've had guys on our team who have really stepped up.

"Every single guy on our team has been contributing and that's what you need for a state championship, and that's what we got."

The Huskies took a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning when Sam Picchiotti walked with the bases loaded to bring in Andy Brashler.

The Wolves tied things at 1-1 in the top of the fourth when Martini scored on an infield grounder by Swank.

Oak Park scored in the first inning as Jo Jo Maldanado (2-for-4) doubled to center to bring home Drew Golz.

Kyle Glancy (9-4) took the defeat for the Huskies after yielding 4 hits and striking out 4 in 5 2/3 innings.

Neuqua Valley (33-7), which won last year's Class AA title, settled for third place in Class 4A after capturing a 4-3 victory over Wheaton North (24-15).

Ian Krol (9-1) gave up 2 hits and struck out 9 in 5 innings and reliever Mike McKinley got the save after yielding no hits and striking out 2 in 2 innings.

Bryan Berryman went 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Wildcats, who only managed 4 hits against Falcons pitchers Jack DeAno (7-2) and Aric Dama.