Following a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament, Oak Park-River Forest pitchers continued to turn in standout performances in the Phil Lawler Summer Classic playoffs.
Senior right-hander Luke McMahon allowed four hits in six innings and struck out seven while leading third-seeded OPRF to a 7-1 victory over top-seeded Nazareth in the Fenwick Regional final Thursday, July 16, at the Priory in River Forest.
McMahon was a bottom-of-rotation pitcher for OPRF during the spring, but his crisp outing in the regional final lifted the Huskies (17-5) into the Lawler Summer Classic Elite Eight. The Huskies open the finals at 12:30 p.m. Monday against Lincoln-Way North at Benedictine in Lisle.
The Fenwick Regional final featured a pair of teams that came away with trophies at their respective IHSA state tournaments in June. Nazareth, which finished second in Class 3A, will move up to Class 4A next season.
The Roadrunners (15-11) made their second consecutive appearance in the Fenwick Regional final, beating Willowbrook 7-2 last season en route to placing second in the tournament.
Both Nazareth and OPRF played Thursday without key starters. Nazareth was missing middle infielders Brandon Bossard and Carson Bartels, who were in Florida with their travel teams. Division I recruits Evan Bell (Memphis) and Jeremy Gaines (Missouri) of OPRF are expected to return for next week’s finals.
Nazareth’s only run off McMahon came in the bottom of the third inning when senior catcher Shane Gipson doubled to right field to drive in Richie Kiernicki.
McMahon’s performance came a day after his Northwestern-bound teammate Hank Christie beat Lyons 10-0 in the semifinals behind two hits and 10 strikeouts over six innings. McMahon’s first-inning walk to Cesar De La Cerda was the only base on balls allowed by OPRF pitchers in the semifinal and final.
“That was a recipe for success,” OPRF coach Chris Ledbetter said. “[Christie] moved his fastball inside and out.”
Both Christie and McMahon are expected to start again for the Huskies during the finals tournament.
“I felt great,” McMahon said. “I struggled in the spring, but it was good to get down there [in the regional final]. It’s great to know Coach has faith in me and the team has faith in me and Hank to give us a chance to win.”
Twitter @geomwilcox