Marian Catholic pitcher Brett Lilek

Marian Catholic pitcher Brett Lilek did not allow an earned run in the postseason as he helped lead the Spartans to the Class 3A state title. He struck out 11 Nazareth Academy batters in the state semifinals and 36 total in the postseason, earning The Times Player of the Year honors.

Erik Callaghan tagged out at third

Marian Catholic's Erik Callaghan is tagged out at third base by Nazareth Academy's Kyle Pitrowski in Marian's 3-0 in the Class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet on Friday.

Marian Catholic's Erik Callaghan

Marian Catholic's Erik Callaghan slides back to first base in Marian's 3-0 win over Nazareth Academy in the Class 3A state semifinals Friday at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

Marian Catholic celebration

Marian Catholic players celebrate with pitcher Brett Lilek after their 3-0 win over Nazareth Academy in the class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet on Friday.

Marian Catholic's Brett Lilek

Marian Catholic pitcher Brett Lilek had 11 strikeouts Friday a 3-0 win over Nazareth Academy in the Class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

Marian Catholic tops Nazareth Academy

Marian Catholic players celebrate with pitcher Brett Lilek after their 3-0 win over Nazareth Academy in the class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet on Friday, June 8, 2012.

Robby Cifeli

JMarian Catholic's Robby Cifelli slides back to first base in Marian's 3-0 win over Nazareth Academy in the Class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. Cifeli hit his first high school home run in the semifinal.

Robby Cifeli home run

Marian Catholic's Rob Cifelli watches his solo home run Marian's 3-0 win over Nazareth Academy in the Class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet on Friday. It was Cifeli's first high school homer.

Celebration after Cifeli's home run

JOLIET | Marian Catholic players celebrate with Rob Cifelli after his solo home run in Marian's 3-0 win over Nazareth Academy in the Class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet on Friday.

Marian Catholic's Erik Callaghan chases down runner

Marian Catholic's Erik Callaghan chases down Nazareth Academy's Kyle Pitrowski Friday as he tries to steal first in Marian's 3-0 win in the Class 3A state semifinals at Silver Cross Field.

Mount Carmel baseball falls in third-place game

JOLIET | The Mount Carmel baseball players left the field Saturday afternoon with a feeling of deja vu, and it was a feeling they could have done without.

MIKE NIETO: Do away with the third-place game

JOLIET | The debate has gone on for several years as to whether the Illinois High School Association should do away with the third-place game in the state series in various sports.

Lyons Twp. stops Mount Carmel

JOLIET | Mount Carmel had played 41 baseball games entering its Class 4A state semifinal contest Friday against Lyons Twp., and each time the Caravan had tallied at least a pair of runs.

MIKE NIETO: Kravetz a true winner

JOLIET | John Kravetz was pumped ever since the last out was recorded Monday night in Mount Carmel's Class 4A Crestwood Supersectional win over Lincoln-Way East at Standard Bank Stadium.

CLASS 4A BASEBALL NOTES: What's in a name?

JOLIET | When Mount Carmel's Jeff Boehm was announced before Friday's Class 4A state semifinal against Lyons Twp., the Silver Cross Field public address announcer called him, "BAME" with a long "A" sound.