CHICAGO, IL - Marist HS played host to a Regional Semi-Final matchup between the Lincoln-Way Central Knights and the Spartans of Marian Catholic on Wednesday afternoon. The Knights busted it open with four runs in the fifth, ultimately winning 7-2. With the win, the Lincoln-Way Central will face Marist at Marist on Saturday with a Regional Championship at stake.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, leading 3-2 and with two men on, Sean Harris stepped to the plate for Lincoln-Way Central. Harris proceeded to jump on a pitch out over the plate and drive it over the left-field wall for a three-run home run. The big blast was the defining blow in the game and gave the Knights a 6-2 lead.

Lincoln-Way Central jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the bottom of third inning. Adam Brown led off the frame with a single to left field and later scored on a groundout. Brandon Bennitt walked in the frame and was driven home on a sharp line-drive single to right field by Dylan Post, a Houston commit.

Marian Catholic’s best inning came in the very next frame, the top of the fourth. The Spartans tied the game at two. Eddie King (Louisville commit) and Cameron Bufford led of the frame with consecutive singles and both later scored, one on an infield single with two outs by Chandler Kerr.

Senior right-handed pitcher Andrew Hancock started on the mound for Lincoln-Way Central and was in control for most of the game. The Evansville commit, went all seven innings for the complete game victory. The 6-foot-6 right-hander scattered seven hits, two runs, one earned, stuck out nine and walked one.

Joey Dermody, Brown and Post had two hits apiece to pace the Knights offense. Bennitt finished 1-for-1 with three walks and three runs scored.

King finished 2-for-4 with a run scored for Marian Catholic.

For more in-depth notes from the game - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog later.

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