Hilltoppers, Ratajczak sweep top-rated Carmel

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Two efficient senior left-handers and a relentless offense led Joliet Catholic in a doubleheader sweep of top-ranked Carmel in Mundelein on Saturday.

The sixth-ranked Hilltoppers (11-3) scored runs in six of seven innings en route to a 8-5 victory in game one. The Corsairs (9-2) did not trail in game two until Nick Ratajczak's walk-off single gave Joliet Catholic a 6-5 victory.

John Ruettiger (seven hits, five runs) contained the dynamic Corsairs' offense with a complete game victory in game one. He also hit the go-ahead double to give Joliet Catholic a 6-5 lead in the top of the sixth. The Hilltoppers added two more in the seventh on a double by senior Tim Bennett (2-for-3).

"We were just coming after them," Ruettiger said. "We play with a lot of confidence, and everyone's talented."

Senior Steve Kazak (6 innings, six hits, three earned runs) outdueled Jordan Sivertsen (complete game, six hits, five earned runs) in game two. Carmel took a 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Siversen. But Joliet Catholic loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh. Ratajczak's then ripped the game-winning single past the diving Bob Lyne at shortstop.

"We battled, they battle right back," Carmel coach Chuck Gandolfi said. "They were two tough games that came down to the last at bats."