Starting at quarterback. Hitting first home run. Lockport's Brendan Mecher checks off another box. ‘It was unreal.'
From a fall spent playing quarterback and wide receiver for Lockport's football team to this spring as an infielder in baseball, junior Brendan Mecher has experienced many exciting moments playing sports this school year for the Porters.
The one that happened Friday night will go at — or at least near — the top of his list. He hit the first home run of his high school career.
'It was unreal,' Mecher said. 'There are only a certain amount of things that give you that type of feeling and that's one of them. It was a great feeling.'
Mecher contributed to a dominant performance for host Lockport, which earned an 8-3 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Lincoln-Way East at Flink Field.
Nick Moerman also homered, going 2-for-2 with two runs for the Porters (20-9, 9-5). Milwaukee School of Engineering recruit Bryce Flood and Caden Russell each provided a two-run single.
Trace Schaaf threw a complete game for the Porters, striking out six and allowing three earned runs on four hits and five walks to pick up the victory on the mound.
'At the end there, I was just trying to throw some strikes,' Schaaf said. 'I trust my defense and I know they're going to make plays behind me.'
Wisconsin-Oshkosh commit MJ Schley had an RBI and a run for Lincoln-Way East (21-9, 10-4). Rocco Triolo added an RBI, while Charlie Cosich and Cooper Johnson each singled and scored.
Mecher, meanwhile, mashed his home run to center field on the first pitch of the bottom of the fourth inning, giving the Porters a 7-2 lead.
'I was thinking if I got a fastball I'd be ready for it and jump on it and that's what I got,' he said. 'I got under it a little bit, but I think the wind helped me on that one.'
The wind was certainly howling — and dirty, as a dust storm rolled through during the game, making for some unusual conditions as any pop-up became an adventure.
Mecher dealt with a couple of those from his spot at second base.
'It was kind of weird, but there's nothing we're not ready to play in,' Mecher said. 'It doesn't really affect us but it was a little tricky and a little weird.'
Mecher, though, feels ready for anything. In the fall, he started the season as a receiver and the backup quarterback, but he took over as the starting quarterback after an injury.
'There are a lot of mental things that go into playing quarterback and I think it helps me be prepared for any type of situation that's thrown at me athletic-wise,' Mecher said. 'I think it really builds strong tools to use throughout my athletic career.'
Lockport coach Scott Malinowski certainly agreed with that assessment.
'We love the multisport athletes and especially football, and especially a quarterback who's used to the spotlight and high-pressure situations and big games,' Malinowski said. 'Brendan's definitely used to big situations.
'We have seven multisport guys, and we really think they are bringing a lot to our team this year.'
At the same time, Schaaf pushed through a long outing to finish the complete game, ending it at exactly 100 pitches.
Lockport pitching coach Ralph Mispagel had faith in Schaaf to close things out after he gave up a run in the seventh.
'I asked him there in the seventh inning if he could get us two more outs, and with the look in his eye, there was no way he was coming out of the game,' Mispagel said.
Schaaf displayed his toughness, an attribute that is also evident when you watch Mecher.
Mecher has seen the benefits of being a multisport athlete.
'I'm always busy and it creates good habits,' he said. 'I'm always looking to create new, better habits that can help me improve myself.'
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