High School Sports RSS: jolietcatholic baseball

Ratajczak left mark at Joliet Catholic

BY DICK GOSS dgoss@scn1.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00 CST

With his clutch hitting, stellar defense and hard-nosed style of play, Herald News Player of the Year Nick Ratajczak made his presence felt for the Joliet Catholic baseball program.

Turnaround for the title

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:01 CST

After watching three of his teammates walk during the top of the sixth inning of Saturday's Class 3A state championship game against Chatham Glenwood, Joliet Catholic Academy's Steve Cservenyak had no intention of following suit.

Cservenyak's smack gives JCA 3A title

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00 CST

Joliet Catholic's Steve Cservenyak delivered a two-run single in the sixth inning that lifted the Hilltoppers to the Class 3A state championship, 3-2, over Chatham Glenwood at Joliet's Silver Cross Field Saturday afternoon.

Vintage semifinal victory for JCA

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:01 CST

State prep baseball: Three batters into Friday afternoon's second semifinal game in the Class 3A State Baseball Tournament at Silver Cross Field, it was evident this would be a vintage Joliet Catholic Academy day.

The unsung Hilltoppers

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:01 CST

Prep baseball: Three days before the start of his sophomore year in high school, budding actor Vinnie Hughes left behind the California sun and the Hollywood sound stages, moving with his family to the Midwest and enrolling at Joliet Catholic Academy.

Joliet Catholic puts an end to Rams' 3A charge

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00 CST

Joliet Catholic pitcher Kendall Paluch tossed a complete-game five-hitter as the Hilltoppers defeated Grayslake Central 4-1 Friday in the Class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

Aspiring actor plays key role for JCA

BY BILL SCHEIBE bscheibe@scn1.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00 CST

An aspiring actor in southern California before moving to the Midwest, pitcher Vinnie Hughes now plays an important supporting role for Joliet Catholic's baseball team.

Hilltoppers know to expect unexpected

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00 CST

Though Joliet Catholic is the most battle-tested of the Class 3A semifinalists, the Hilltoppers aren't taking anything for granted this weekend.

Duffy's spark fires up Hilltoppers

BY BILL SCHEIBE bscheibe@scn1.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:00 CST

Bill Scheibe: By the bottom of the third inning Monday, Joliet Catholic senior Dan Duffy had departed from his perch atop the steps of the Standard Bank Stadium dugout to begin warming up senior reliever Vinnie Hughes.

Hilltoppers ready for fresh start

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:01 CST

When Joliet Catholic Academy advanced to the Class 3A State Baseball Tournament a year ago, the Hilltoppers came in with the No. 1 ranking and walked away disappointed. They did finish third on the strength of a 7-0 victory over Crystal Lake Central on Saturday, but it was the 5-1 loss to Rock Falls in the Friday semifinal that soured the weekend. That's what can happen when you face an ace pitcher who is on his game.

Hilltoppers know how to state their case

BY DICK GOSS dgoss@scn1.com — Tue, 9 Jun 2009 18:00 CST

Dick Goss: A team from Joliet is in the state baseball finals. Right-hander Andrew Giaudrone is the No. 1 pitcher. His catcher is Kevin Hulbert, although Hulbert does some pitching as well.

Hilltoppers hold off pesky Eagles

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00 CST

No. 3 Joliet Catholic fell behind 3-1 and had to survive a strong challenge from Jones before pulling out a 13-8 win Monday in the Class 3A Crestwood Supersectional.

Soph touch not enough for Illiana Christian

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 04:00 CST

For the first three innings Saturday, Illiana Christian sophomore Austin Evenhouse was unhittable.

Cservenyak serves up win for Hilltoppers

BY DICK GOSS dgoss@scn1.com — Sat, 6 Jun 2009 00:00 CST

Steve Cservenyak slugged a grand slam and a two-run homer to lead No. 2 Joliet Catholic past Illiana Christian 11-1 Saturday in the Class 3A Crete-Monee Sectional final.

Hulbert's a hit for Joliet Catholic vs. Lemont

BY DICK GOSS dgoss@scn1.com — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 17:00 CST

Joliet Catholic first baseman Kevin Hulbert was hit by a pitch that forced in the decisive run as the top-seeded Hilltoppers defeated Lemont 3-2 in a Class 3A Crete-Monee Sectional semifinal Wednesday.

Paluch sickens Richards' bats

Sun, 31 May 2009 04:00 CST

Prep baseball: Kendall Paluch had a lousy day Saturday. Whenever he was not standing in the center of the diamond, that is. The Joliet Catholic Academy junior right-hander admitted to being "a little sick. I think I'm coming down with something." That was after throwing a 4-hit shutout in Saturday morning's 9-0 victory over Richards in the championship game of the Class 3A JCA Regional. How does he explain it?

Hilltoppers rule ESCC once again

BY SCOTT POWERS — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:00 CST

Kendall Paluch pitched out of trouble in the early innings and Joliet Catholic's hitters gave him plenty of support as the No. 4 Hilltoppers beat Nazareth 13-1 Wednesday to clinch their second straight East Suburban Catholic title.

Joliet Catholic tops Marian Catholic

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00 CST

Joliet Catholic 12, Marian Catholic 0: The No. 4 Hilltoppers took care of Marian Catholic in five innings behind Andrew Cecchi (2-for-3, two RBI) and Kevin Holbert (2-for-2, double, RBI). Vinny Hughes threw a no-hitter through four innings and struck out three for Joliet Catholic (21-4, 13-0 East Suburban Catholic).