Lake Catholic baseball team's miraculous season fell just one miracle short of the state finals.

The Cougars (20-11) lost 3-0 to defending state champions, St. Francis DeSales of Columbus, Thursday.

DeSales ace Nick Eltzroth only permitted three hits the entire game and only one of those -- a double by Billy Salem in the top of the second -- left the infield.

"If you are going to lose in a game like this, you better lose to someone good and that team is as solid as solid can be,” Lake Catholic coach Dennis Woods said to The News-Herald.

Woods complimented Eltzroth but he noted that the Cougars' ace, Joey Samuele threw a great game, as well.

Samuele -- the cornerstone of Lake Catholic's impressive postseason run -- only allowed three hits in six innings. However, a two-run single in the second and a sacrifice fly in the third gave DeSales a lead the Cougars could not overcome.

Lake Catholic did not muster any seventh-inning magic as they had against Tallmadge and Canfield.

Instead, Eltzroth retired the seven final batters he faced.

While disappointed, the Cougars appreciated a season that ended with their first trip to the state final four since 1987.

First baseman/catcher Lou Peterlin tweeted, "Great season, boys! I love all of you guys. I'm going to miss everything."

"This journey with this group of guys has been unbelievable. What a trip this has been," Samuele wrote, adding the hashtag #LoveYouGuys for good measure.