Prep Baseball Report

Nazareth Acacdemy Wins Low-Scoring Affair To Advance To 3A State Championship


By: Diego Solares
Area Scout, Illinois & Missouri

Nazareth Academy, the reigning state champions, edged out Sycamore 2-0 in a tight-knit, low-scoring affair to advance to tomorrow’s title game with a chance to defend their crown. 

The Roadrunners got on the board in the top of the third inning. Nick Drtina (2024; Louisville) battled at the plate, squeaking a two-strike single through the right side of the infield for an RBI single. Two batter’s later, Landon Thome (2026) plated a run on a sacrifice fly to left field. 


Sycamore threatened a few times in the contest, but the Spartans’ offense wasn’t a match for Nazareth southpaw John Hughes (2024; North Carolina). Hughes navigated through Sycamore’s tough offense, hurling five scoreless innings, while throwing all three pitches for strikes in any given count. 


The Spartans kept Nazareth off the board for three innings, but the Roadrunners’ added a key insurance run in the top of the third on an RBI single from the aforementioned Thome


Nazareth handed the ball to star sophomore Jaden Fauske (2025; Louisville) following Hughes’ departure. Though known for his talents at the plate, Fauske was equally as impressive on the mound in this look, hurling two scoreless innings to lock up the save. Seemingly unfazed through pressure, Fauske pitched in the upper-80s with his fastball from a clean, low-effort delivery. 


With the win, Nazareth will face off against Grayslake Central tomorrow for the 3A state championship. That game will take place following the conclusion of the third-place game, which starts at 9:00 AM and will feature the Sycamores and Effingham. 

NOTABLE PERFORMERS 

+ John Hughes (Nazareth Academy): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K
+ Landon Thome (Nazareth Academy): 2-for-2, 2 RBI
+ Nick Drtina (Nazareth Academy): 2-for-4, RBI
+ Lucas Smith (Nazareth Academy): 2-for-4, 2 RS
+ Jaden Fauske (Nazareth Academy): 2 IP, BB, 2 K, SV
+ Tommy Townsend (Sycamore): 4 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 K

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