Driscoll allowed itself an hour of heartbreak before it returned to its winning ways.
The Highlanders defeated Columbia 10-9 in the third-place game of the Class A tournament Saturday at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.
The Highlanders rallied after a 6-4 semifinal loss to Illinois Valley Central’s freshman phenom Chris Razo (13-1). Driscoll fought back from a 5-0 second-inning deficit, but lost for the first time in 20 games.
“We were devastated after the loss,” senior Frank Tenuto said. “We wanted to win our last game so we can feel good about ourselves–end on a win.”
After slightly more than an hour break between games, Driscoll went to work. The Highlanders trailed 2-1 after two innings, but took the lead for good with a three-run third. With two outs, catcher Adam Davis doubled home Tenuto and Ryan Leahy. Then courtesy runner Pete Pulkownik scored on Kevin Palermo’s single.
“We knew that we weren’t going to lose our last game after such a great season,” said Leahy, who went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, three stolen bases and two runs scored. “Coming out we were relaxed and having a lot of fun.”
Casey Savatski pitched the final inning to save Driscoll’s 36th win, tying the school mark.
“I had to try to get the team the win,” said Savatski, who shut out Sherrard on Friday. “I ended up throwing better than I did [Friday].”
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dsurico@tribune.com
