Mike Papierski almost got a little ahead of himself — and a teammate — Friday during a Class 3A baseball state semifinal at Silver Cross Field.
Lemont’s senior catcher had just rounded first base after launching a two-run home run in the sixth inning of an 8-3 victory against Metamora when he found himself nearly passing teammate Ryan Folliard on the basepaths.
“I didn’t know what happened; I thought it was going to be a foul ball, but it just kept going,” Papierski said.
Papierski, an LSU recruit selected by the Blue Jays in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, did just about everything else right Friday.
He helped steady pitcher Charlie Wright through a rough first two innings, roped a pair a extra-base hits and drove in four runs.
In their first state appearance, the Indians look to be in good shape for Saturday’s title game with LSU signee Jake Latz (11th-round pick by Blue Jays) pitching against either Grayslake Central or Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at 11:30 a.m.
Folliard, Jamie Glista, Papierski and Mike Wisz each had two hits for the Indians (34-5).
“We had some big hits in the first inning, and we got on (from the) get-go,” Papierski said.
After Metamora (26-13) scored two runs in the top of the first, Lemont sent nine to the plate in the bottom half.
Six of Lemont’s first seven hitters had hits and it answered with four runs off Metamora sophomore starter Alex Lewis, who hadn’t allowed an earned run in his previous 19 innings. Papierski drilled a two-run double to tie the score. Jake Terrazas and Eric Tucker each had RBI singles.
Wright (8-1) worked out of a second-inning jam with two runners on by striking out two and picking off a runner.He allowed two hits in the final five innings and five in the complete game. He also struck out seven and walked two.
“I knew they were going to back me up because they kept telling me they were going to get me runs, so I just depended on those guys,” Wright said. “I did get flustered, and did get upset at times because I knew I could go the distance.”
Player of the game: Mike Papierski, Lemont, 2 hits, 4 RBIs, 2 runs.
Key performers: Lemont — Charlie Wright, 7 IP, 5 H, 7 SO; Jamie Glista, 2 hits, 2 RBIs. Metamora — Brady
Fairfield, 1 RBI, 2 runs; Geremy Guerrero, 2 hits.
Next: 3A final — Lemont vs. Grayslake Central/Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
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