Nazareth crowned Phil Lawler champs

Updated: March 28, 2011 12:28PM

Dominic Purpura didn't waste his second chance Thursday night.

After being knocked out in the first inning the night before by St. Laurence, the Nazareth left-hander came back to throw five strong innings against Streamwood. That, plus tourney MVP Ryan Powers' grand slam, helped the Roadrunners beat the Sabres 9-2 at Benedictine University to capture the Phil Lawler Summer Classic and the unofficial summer state title.

Purpura, who didn't allow an earned run and gave up six hits Thursday, was staked to a 5-0 first-inning lead thanks to Powers' homer.

"He pitched with a lot more confidence today," Powers said of Purpura. "Give the kid a lot of credit."

Purpura, a rising junior, gave the credit to his teammates. "The difference between our team [and others is] every single player on our team gets up there and takes care of business at the plate," he said.

The Roadrunners (33-4-2) added another run in the first on Pat Kelly's squeeze bunt. Streamwood (31-6) got two unearned runs in the second, when Nick Pryor and Brandon Larkin-Guilfoyle had RBI singles.

But Purpura and Kelly, who retired all six batters he faced in relief, pitched shutout ball the rest of the way as Nazareth struck a blow for mid-sized schools.

"We're the little [Class] 3A school," Purpura said. "To prove all the big guys wrong, it fuels the fire."

Powers, who was 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and four RBI, skipped a chance to play in the Continental Amateur Baseball Association World Series this week with his Top Tier travel team in order to be with Nazareth at state.

"I wanted to show these guys I'm still loyal to them," Powers said.

Streamwood, like Nazareth, was playing in its first summer state tournament, let alone its first summer state final.

"I'm excited," Sabres coach Steve Diversey said. "I want March to come. ... There's no negatives. Streamwood's done things they've never done before."

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