Keuper's clutch hit lifts Sandburg

Will Keuper slapped a two-run single off New Trier ace Jack Boehm with two out in the bottom of the sixth to propel No. 6 Sandburg past No. 3 New Trier 5-4 Saturday at Benedictine in Lisle.

Keuper (5-2) also picked up the win, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out seven before yielding to reliever Keeler Otero.

‘‘This game had a state championship atmosphere,’’ Keuper said. ‘‘New Trier’s one of the best teams in the state. I was looking for a first-pitch fastball and he made a pretty good pitch. I was lucky I put the ball in play and it had eyes.’’

Sandburg (20-4) led 2-0 after two innings on RBI singles by Keuper and Nick Kujawa before New Trier tied it in the top of the fourth, capped by an RBI single by Justin Wells.

The Eagles (23-2) took a brief 3-2 lead on an opposite field homer by Alex Kazmierski. But New Trier answered with two runs in the top of the sixth on a throwing error and an infield squibber by Jonathan Hall.

New Trier threatened in the seventh, putting two on with one out before Otero induced a 4-6-3 double play.

Dillon Napoleon started for New Trier, allowing three runs on seven hits over five innings.