Providence baseball coach Mike Smith has won more than 400 games and three IHSA state-championship trophies, but he knows high school sports aren’t all pats on the back and roses.
‘‘These kids have learned that there is pressure in high school baseball,’’ Smith said after the Celtics’ victory Friday in the Class 4A state semifinals.
That pressure is all over high school sports, especially in front of big crowds at the state-championship level.
But there was one team this weekend in Joliet that wasn’t feeling any stress.
‘‘We had nothing to lose,’’ Crystal Lake Central starting pitcher John Gariepy said. ‘‘It was just the last ride. All of us are really good friends, and we really wanted to play with each other. We didn’t want each game to be our last until it was the championship. That’s what we got.’’
The Tigers came from behind to beat Lemont 3-2 in the Class 3A title game Saturday at Duly Health and Care Field.
Crystal Lake Central (22-14) isn’t a baseball powerhouse; this is the first state title in the history of the program. In fact, the Tigers lost seven of eight games in a stretch during April. Expectations were low heading into the playoffs, but then magic struck.
‘‘I think for most of us, the Hampshire series [May 8] is when things turned,’’ Gariepy said. ‘‘We were losing a lot and our coach came back from some issues, and we knew it was the time to do it. We knew we could do something, and we haven’t lost since.’’
Lemont (31-10), which won the Class 3A title in 2014 and 2016, led 2-0 after four innings before Cyrstal Lake Central scored two runs in the fifth to tie the score.
Andrew Welder opened the inning with a walk, and Carter Kelley and Jaden Obaldo were hit by pitches. Junior James Dreher cashed in with a two-run single to left.
Junior Rhett Ozment then knocked in the go-ahead run with a triple to center in the sixth.
‘‘We never lost hope,’’ Ozment said. ‘‘We’re always energetic. That’s one of our mottos around here: Juice. Keep the juices flowing. We never get down because [if] you get down, you don’t ever come back.’’
Gariepy allowed two unearned runs and seven hits, struck out six and walked one in 5 2/3 innings. Senior Tommy Korn didn’t allow a run or hit in the final 1⅓ innings to earn the victory.
‘‘I can’t even explain the feeling,’’ Korn said while clutching the ball from the last out. ‘‘My body collapsed. The love for this team and the family bond we had, it was amazing. There is no better feeling.’’
Lemont starting pitcher Jacob Parr allowed two runs and two hits, struck out five and walked two in 4⅓ innings.
‘‘We knew we had this in us,’’ Korn said. ‘‘We just needed one spark. It lit, and the flame kept going. This is our second state championship this year; our girls soccer team just won. The whole city is going to go crazy. I can’t wait.’’