By Sean Duncan

JOLIET – LaSalle-Peru’s baseball team is making coach Bill Booker’s final season a memorable one. Fueled by the unjust termination of its long-time coach, LaSalle-Peru came out swinging the bats and held on to defeat Triad 5-2 in the first Class 3A state semifinal game Friday at Silver Cross Field.

In his 20^th year at L-P, Booker and the Cavaliers (34-6) will be playing for the school’s first state championship Saturday against the winner of Nazareth-Marian Catholic.

“I refuse to make it about me,” said an ebullient Booker after the game, as the convincing victory continued to thumb the proverbial nose at the L-P administration which did not renew his contract. “We know we put a quality product on the field the community can be proud of.”

Said standout senior catcher Cody Booker, Bill’s son: “We’ve used it as energy and to drive us.”

LaSalle-Peru came out smoking against Triad starter Lucas Infanti (8-2), scoring all five of its runs behind six hits. First baseman Levi Ericson, right fielder Casey Huebbe, third baseman Kyle Jenkins and DH Austin Smith all had consecutive run-scoring singles in the inning. Centerfielder Brett Storm capped the scoring with a RBI double.

When it was all said and done, the Cavaliers led 5-0 and sent 11 batters to the plate before Triad (32-9) even swung a bat.

The offense was more than enough for senior ace right-hander Mike Lynch, who improved to 13-0 after working 6.2 innings of five-hit ball. Lynch used an 81-84 mph fastball to strike out seven and walked two. Lynch gave way to sophomore right-hander Noah Lamboley, who got the final out after Triad threatened with two men on.

Smith and second baseman Adam Happ led L-P with two hits apiece.

“We’ve been able to dig ourselves out of holes in the past, but we dug ourselves too big of a hole today,” said Triad coach Jesse Bugger.