PBR DAILY ROUNDUP

Sunday April 22, 2012

By Drake Skleba

CRESTWOOD, IL - Joliet Catholic (14-5-1) rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh to stun Brother Rice 3-2 in the final game of the 4^th Annual Southside Conference Challenge. Hilltopper senior Nate Searing’s infield hit plated a jubilant Zach Melone with the game-winner.

Hilltopper junior SS Chris Tschida (2-for-2; 2 BB, RBI, 2SB) singled home the first JCA run with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Junior C Alex Voitik coaxed a base-loaded walk to bring the ‘Toppers within 3-2. Searing hit a soft roller to Crusader SS Brian McQuillan, who could not make a play as Melone danced across home plate.

Joliet Catholic freshman right-hander Nick Dalesandro (1-0) fired two scoreless innings in relief to pick up the victory on the mound. Dalesandro is ranked No. 1 in the state of Illlinois in the Class of 2015. Dalesandro struck out three and did not allow a hit.

Brother Rice, who lost to No. 1 Mt. Carmel on Saturday, falls to 14-7. The Crusaders will travel to Haggerty Field and get another shot at the top-ranked Caravan (21-0) on Monday.

De La Salle (13-8) rocked St. Patrick 9-1 to clinch the Chicago Catholic League’s second straight Southside Conference Challenge victory.  Western Michigan University-bound RHP Pat Haynes (4-4) fired a two-hitter at St. Patrick (7-15) with eight strikeouts.

The Chicago Catholic League wins the best of eight series with the East Suburban Catholic League 5-3. In 2011 the CCL won 6-of-7 from the ESCC.

Marian Catholic (13-6) took out its frustrations from a tough week and pounded St. Ignatius 13-5 in the first game of the Challenge at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood on Sunday. Iowa-bound Devin Pickett led the Spartan attack with four RBI.