Chiarodo, Jennings Put Edwardsville Back In 4A State Championship Game
June 9, 2023
The first game of the 4A state semifinals pitted the reigning state champion Edwardsville Tigers (31-9) against York (23-15-1).
It didn’t take the Tigers long to get on the board, as Edwardsville scored five runs in the bottom half of the first inning. Caeleb Copeland (2023; St. Charles CC) belted a double into the left-center gap, scoring Joe Chiarodo (2025) from second for the Tigers’ first run.
At Joliet:
— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 9, 2023
Caeleb Copeland (2023; St. Charles CC) puts the Tigers on the board in the ⬇️1️⃣ with this RBI 2B.?
Still threatening, Edwardsville leads York 2-0. pic.twitter.com/GVxhQdGI7v
Edwardsville would add another run in the inning on a rundown where the aforementioned Copeland beat out the throw at home. With two outs, senior shortstop Kayden Jennings (2023; Illinois-Springfield) stepped up to the plate and turned one around with authority, lining a screaming three-run home over the left field wall. After the game’s first frame, the Tigers led 5-0.
At Joliet:
— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 9, 2023
SS Kayden Jennings (2023; Illinois-Springfield) beams a three-run #PBRBombSquad in the bottom of the first for Edwardsville.
After one, the Tigers’ lead York 5-0. pic.twitter.com/oxooOsg7u6
York scored their first run of the contest in the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded, junior Paul Reedy (2024) squeaked a single through the right side of the infield to score a run. Chiarodo, the Edwardsville starting pitcher, was able to escape without any further damage.
At Joliet:
— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 9, 2023
York gets on the board in the top of the fourth via an RBI 1B from ‘24 Paul Reedy.
To the ⬇️4️⃣, the Dukes trail Edwardsville 5-1. pic.twitter.com/lYRtr10s3A
The Dukes threatened again in the top of the fifth, but Chiarodo punched out the side to keep York off the board. His day would end after 5 ⅓ innings of work, and the Alabama commit fanned seven, allowing a run on five hits. He ran his fastball up to 91 mph in the second, pitching in the upper-80s, while grabbing swings-and-miss on a tight 74-77 mph that mirrors his fastball’s plane.
RHP Joe Chiarodo (Edwardsville, 2025; Alabama commit) departs after 5 1/3 innings of work, punching out seven, and allowing only a run.
— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 9, 2023
Pitched in the upper-80s, T91 mph in the second.
Got S/M on tight SL with late break at 74-77 mph.
One of the top arms in IL. pic.twitter.com/NfV7tQMHJV
Edwardsville scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Andrew Hendrickson (2023) elevated a fly ball to left field for a sacrifice fly, and Jennings singled a run home, adding to his total on the day, and giving the Tigers a 7-1 lead.
At Joliet:
— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 9, 2023
Edwardsville adds two more runs in the bottom of the fifth.
A sacrifice fly from Andrew Hendrickson (2023; Lincoln Land CC) and this RBI single from Kayden Jennings (2023; Illinois-Springfield) extend the Tigers’ lead.?
Through five, Edwardsville leads 7-1. pic.twitter.com/76oI4HsSYz
York scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Tigers’ held on to win the contest 7-3. Edwardsville will play the winner of Brother Rice and New Trier tomorrow afternoon in the 4A state championship game, while York will draw the loser of that aforementioned contest.
FINAL:
— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 9, 2023
Joe Chiarodo hurled 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, Kayden Jennings plated four, and Andrew Hendrickson picked up the four-pitch save to send Edwardsville to the 4A championship.
The reigning state champs will play tomorrow afternoon with a chance to defend their title. pic.twitter.com/Dma5uaBKNC
NOTABLE PERFORMERS
+ Joe Chiarodo (Edwardsville): 5 1/3 IP, 5 H, ER, 4 BB, 8 K
+ Kayden Jennings (Edwardsville): 2-for-4, 4 RBI, HR, RS
+ Caeleb Copeland (Edwardsville): 1-for-2, RBI, 2B, 2 RS