Baseball: Ben Jones’ 13-strikeout gem sends Timothy Christian to state for first time

ROCKFORD – Ben Jones struck out 13 in a complete-game effort, and Timothy Christian scored four runs in the sixth inning to defeat Winnebago 5-2 at the Class 2A Rockford Supersectional to advance to state for the first time in program history.

Jones scattered five hits and allowed just one earned run for the Trojans, who previously won sectional titles in 2017 and 2018. Timothy Christian advances to play Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at 10 a.m. Friday at Illinois State University.

Stephen Kwasigroch hit a one-out triple and scored on Jones’ sacrifice fly in the third inning, giving the Trojans an early lead but Winnebago went ahead 2-1 in the sixth. Donald Tober’s two-out single in the sixth inning tied it 2-2, and three Timothy Christian baserunners scored on a misplayed two-out fly ball hit by Ethan Munk.

Jones then closed the door in the seventh inning, striking out the side.