GAME 1: Aurora Christian 13, Ottawa Marquette 8

PEORIA, IL - Dozer Field is playing host to the 1A/2A IHSA State Finals this weekend. In game one of the weekend Aurora Christian used three big innings to get past Ottawa Marquette 13-8. With the win Aurora Christian advances to the state championship game tomorrow.

The Eagles of Aurora Christian scored seven innings in the second inning, four in the fourth, inning and two more in the seventh to account for their 13 runs. In the seven-run second inning, the Eagles sent 12 batters to the plate, walked or were hit by a pitch seven times and only collected two hits. Junior MJ Stavola delivered a big two-run single in the frame.

In the four-run fourth inning, the Eagles were once again helped by some free bases. Junior Sam Tickel and Clark Turek singled and scored in the frame. In the seventh, Tickel and sophomore Jake Kutzendorf added some insurance runs for the Eagles. Tickel tripled into the right-center field gap and Kutzendorf, the very next hitter, unloaded on a pitch out over the plate and sent it deep over the left-field fence for a no-doubt, two-run home run.

Ottawa Marquette put up four runs in the second inning and four more in the fourth to account for their eight runs. They scored their four runs in the second on only one walk and four free passes. Cleanup hitter, Bryce Foster delivered the big blow in the fourth, a bases clearing double to right-center field.

Tickel and Clark Turek led the way offensively for Aurora Christian. Tickel went 2-for-5 with two runs and a triple. Turek went 2-for-5 with three runs batted in and a run scored.

Leadoff hitter, Nate Melvin went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI for Ottawa Marquette.

Aurora Christian advances to the state championship game and will face the winner of Goreville vs. Valmeyer.

GAME 2: Valmeyer 7, Goreville 3

Game two of the 1A double-dip featured the Valmeyer Pirates and the Goreville Blackcats - two teams that are familiar with the State Finals stage. The Blackcats (25-4) fell in the semis a season ago, while the Pirates (31-9) went one step further losing in the title game. One year later, Pirates head coach Greg Reinhardt has his men back in the championship game with a chance to redeem themselves.

The Pirates opened up the scoring and never looked back, posting two runs in the third in part to a Jake Kreckel (4-for-4; 3 RBI) double and a Tyler Kempfer (2-for-4; 3 RBI) single. In the fourth, the Pirates posted four runs - Kreckel and Kempfer combined for all four RBIs in the frame.

They would add one more insurance run on a Jacob Rowold single (1-for-3; RBI)  before heading into the seventh.

Goreville posted their three runs in the late innings, headlined by a two-run triple by junior Connor Johnson in his only at-bat. Catcher Chance Duringer went 1-for-2, tallying an RBI.

Pirates left-handed senior Michael Chism tossed five frames, surrendering one run on two hits and four walks - struckout three. He picked off three of the first four baserunners he allowed.

Goreville takes on Ottawa Marquette in the third place game, Saturday at 9 a.m. First pitch for the championship game between Valmeyer and Aurora Christian is slated for 11 a.m.

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