Prep Baseball Report

Steven M. Bajenski Tournament features top-ranked competition



By Drake Skleba
Senior Writer

The third-annual Steven M. Bajenski Memorial Tournament kicks into full swing on Wednesday night at Benedictine University in Lisle at 5 p.m.. In a consolation bracket contest, defending Class 4A State Champion No. 6  Mount Carmel (24-6) takes on Chicago Catholic League Blue rival No.14 Brother Rice (23-9). Mount Carmel swept the Crusaders in its two-game CCL-Blue series this year. The tournament will conclude with the battle for “Stevie’s Cup” on Saturday night at Standard Bank Stadium at 7 p.m. Joliet Catholic Academy took home Stevie’s Cup back to Larkin Avenue in Joliet with a 3-0 victory over Mount Carmel in the 2nd Annual Steven M. Bajenski Memorial Tournament last year.

In between, the fans will be treated to 17 high-quality Illinois High School baseball contests. On Thursday, a marquee-matchup will take place at Standard Bank Stadium at 5:15, featuring the top two teams in the State of Illinois, No. 1 St. Rita (28-3) and No. 2 St. Laurence (26-4).The Mustangs and the Vikings just so happen to have shared the CCL-Blue title this season with identical 13-3 records. So, Bajenski Tournament Fans, we will witness the de-facto CCL-Blue Championship Game, in Crestwood.The Mustangs defeated the Vikings 2-1 in 10 thrilling innings at Viking Field in Burbank on May 5. Two days later, the Vikings rallied past the Mustangs for an 8-5 victory.

Following that contest, another Bajenski quarterfinal will take place between Joliet-area powers, the defending Class 3A State Champions from Joliet Catholic Academy (25-6) and Providence (20-11) at Standard Bank at 7:30. Back on April 22, JCA crushed the Celtics 14-0. Yours truly will have the play-by-play for both games which you can watch LIVE at www.highschoolcube.com  

The third quarterfinal is a battle between No. 3 Lemont (27-2) and the top-ranked school in Indiana,  Andrean (20-2), at Benedictine University at 6 p.m.The fourth semifinalist will be determined by the winner of the six-team consolation bracket.

The championship semifinals will be played at Standard Bank Stadium on Friday at 5:15 and 7:30. Once again, I will have the call on the two semifinals at www.highschoolcube.com. The aforementioned Championship Game will take place at Standard Bank Stadium on Saturday at approximately 7 p.m.

All 19 tournament games can be seen LIVE on The Cube www.highschoolcube.com.       

2014 Do It Stevie's Way Tournament Schedule:

2nd Round Games

5/21 @ Benedictine

5:00p No. 14 Brother Rice (23-9) v No. 6 Mount Carmel (23-6)

5/22 @ Standard Bank

Qt. Finals

5:15p No.1 St. Rita (28-3) v No. 2 St. Laurence (26-4)

7:30p No. 10 Joliet Catholic (25-6) v Providence Catholic (20-11)

5/22 @ Benedictine

6:00p  No. 3 Lemont (27-2) vs No. 1 Indiana Andrean (17-2)

5/22 @ Wheaton College

5:15p Marian Catholic v Oak Park River Forest  (Gm 11)

7:30p Peoria Notre Dame  v New Trier  (Gm 12)

Tie breaker will apply to all 1-1 teams after this round (Runs allowed, head 2 head, Run Diff)

3rd Round Games

5/23 @ Standard Bank

5:15p Semifinal 1 (GURU)

7:30 Semi Final 2

(Gm 14) Andrean v TBD 1-1 team if they lose Gm 10..(non Championship bracket)

5/23 @ Benedictine

3:30p (Gm15) Lemont v Wild Card (1-1 team that wins tie-breaker above) C-Ship if Lemont wins Gm 10...or  1-1 opponent TBD (non)

6:00p (Gm 16) TBD 1-1 v 1-1 team (non-Championship)

5/23 @ Wheaton

5:15 (Gm 17) Loser of Gm 7 v 1-1 team TBD

7:30 (Gm 18) Loser of Gm 11 v Loser of Gm 12

Final day

5/24 @ Wheaton (tentative...based on logistics)

9:30a (Gm 19) Winner of Gm 17 v Winner of Gm 18

12:00p (Gm 20) Loser of Gm 17 v Loser of Gm 18

5/24 @ Standard Bank

10:00a 7th Place

1:00p 5th Place

4:00p 3rd Place

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 7:00P

2014 IL Top Prospect Slide