Sports
Baseball: Lilek, Marian Overcome Miscues in Win over Marist
Marian Catholic 4, Marist 1. Spartans commit six early errors, but RedHawks can't take advantage because of overpowering pitching performance turned in by Brett Lilek.
Touching All the Bases: The Marian Catholic baseball team came out slow, committing six errors in the first three innings, but Marist was only able to scratch across one run and the Spartans regrouped to notch a 4-1 victory on Monday afternoon. Marian Catholic ace Brett Lilek settled down and that spelled the end for the RedHawks. Unlike the RedHawks, the Spartans were able to take advantage of Marist miscues, scoring two runs in the first. Rob Cifelli led off the inning with a walk. He would have been out on a grounder to short by the next hitter, but a RedHawk error opened the door for the Spartans. Byron Munoz doubled, knocking in Cifelli, and Jeff Leppellere drove in another run with a sacrifice fly. The RedHawks finally took advantage of Spartan errors in the third. Bryan Polak swiped second and then advanced to third and home on wild throws by the Spartans. Marian Catholic added two insurance runs in the fourth, highlighted by a RBI single by Cifelli.
Patch’s MVP: Marian Catholic pitcher Brett Lilek. Lilek went the distance, giving up an unearned run on just two hits while striking out 11.
Marian Catholic Leaders: Rob Cifelli (1-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI), Byron Munoz (2-for-3) and Richie Cervantes (2-for-3).
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Marist Leaders: Bryon Polak (walk, run) and Jayson Gorski (double).
Quotable I: “We had some young guys out there playing on varsity for the first time, so I think there were some nerves,” Marian Catholic coach Phil Wail said of his upperclassmen being moved up to the varsity ranks.
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Quotable II: “It really hasn’t mattered who we have faced this year," Marist coach Tom Fabrizio said. "We leave runners on base and come away with nothing, and it really hurts us."
Team Records: Marian Catholic improved to 15-7 overall and 4-3 in East Suburban Catholic play, while Marist dropped to 7-15 overall and 2-5 in the conference.
What’s Next: The two teams will meet again at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Standard Bank Ballpark in Crestwood.
