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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Xavier recruit Luke Mensik shows he's no longer little brother as Lincoln-Way Central outduels Andrew. ‘Deserves it.'
Luke Mensik has always been the little brother in a dynamic baseball duo he's formed with his brother, Landon. Landon, who graduated last year from Lincoln-Way Central, is now playing at Xavier. Luke is set to join him there next year. For now, however, Luke is enjoying the perspective that has developed in his one season without his sibling by his side. 'It's 100% a different feeling,' Mensik said. 'I always grew up playing on Landon's teams. I was always in his shadow a little bit. I was always with his friends and stuff like that. 'I love playing with him and that's why I'm going to play with him next year, but having this year without him, it's also cool to have the spotlight to myself a little bit.' That spotlight has never shined brighter on Luke than it did Saturday. The senior right-hander was brilliant, tossing a one-hitter and striking out eight to lift the Knights to a 1-0 win over the host Thunderbolts in the Class 4A Andrew Regional championship game in Tinley Park. Luke Tingley went 3-for-3 for fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (21-10). Conor McCabe singled and scored the lone run, while Toledo recruit Liam Arsich added a single and a walk. The Knights, who won their second straight regional title, will take on top-seeded Lincoln-Way East (27-10) at 4 p.m. Wednesday in a Lincoln-Way West Sectional semifinal in New Lenox. Caden Kendall threw six strong innings for fifth-seeded Andrew (25-12), striking out five and allowing only an unearned run on six hits. 'I used to work out with him a little bit,' Mensik said of Kendall. 'I'm really just happy for him to be a junior and throw that great of a game at this time of the year. He's going places. 'It's fun being in a pitching battle like that. I'm always just trying to outduel the other guy, and in the end, that's what I did.' Caden Kendall's twin brother, Nolan, had the only hit for the Thunderbolts on a bunt single. Mensik faced the minimum 21 batters. Nolan Kendall's single was followed by a double play. Andrew's only other base runner came on an error and was erased by a caught stealing. Senior catcher Cade Andrews saw Mensik in total control all day. 'It was awesome,' Andrews said. 'Everything I called, he was able to put it in the zone. When you do that, you're going to give your defense opportunities or just strike them out. He was unreal.' The Knights got the only run they would need in the fourth inning. Tingley came up with runners at first and second and two outs and produced an infield single. An error on the play allowed McCabe to come home. 'I was just sticking with my approach and trying to drive it to the opposite field,' Tingley said. 'I was just trying to do whatever I can to get the run in, do my job and help the team.' Mensik did the rest, improving to 3-2 with a 0.66 ERA. He's allowed only four runs over 42 1/3 innings. Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt always has faith in his ace. 'Luke's been a leader for us for quite some time now,' Kutt said. 'We leaned on him last year. We even leaned on him as a sophomore. But for him to have the ability to come out there in the seventh inning, up 1-0 in a game like this and be lights out says everything about him. 'He deserves it and I'm just happy for him.' Mensik has taken that leadership role more seriously this year. And he feels his biggest improvement has been in attitude. 'In past years, I let emotions get the best of me,' Mensik said. 'This year, I just hunkered down on throwing strikes, letting my defense help me and staying even keeled the whole time instead of riding the highs and lows.'
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Abby Brueggmann embraces role as ace pitcher to help Lincoln-Way West shut down Andrew. ‘I get pumped.'
Lincoln-Way West pitcher Abby Brueggmann spent a lot of time jumping, pointing and shouting during the biggest game of her varsity career. In all instances, the junior right-hander had the biggest smile. It was all about the girls behind her, who played errorless ball Friday from start to finish. 'The energy was crazy,' Brueggmann said. 'I was just celebrating my teammates. Some of those balls could have been hits and they made every play. 'When they take away a hit from someone, I get pumped for them.' All of them were pretty pumped for her after the Warriors defeated the host Thunderbolts 2-0 in the Class 4A Andrew Regional championship game in Tinley Park. Brueggmann reached base twice, scored a run and tossed a three-hit shutout to pace Lincoln-Way West (23-11). Kaylea Armstrong added two hits, while Paige Seivert also reached twice and made the defensive play of the game. Ana Cisek came through with two hits for Andrew (21-13). The Warriors scored both of their runs in the second inning. Madi Lukasik was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, while North Carolina State recruit Reese Rourke drove in the other run with a fielder's choice grounder. Brueggmann, meanwhile, was brilliant in the circle. She struck out three without a walk. None of the runners she allowed got past second base. No one appreciated her performance more than Rourke, who's an ace pitcher herself but will be playing in college as a shortstop. 'Abby has been throwing great this whole season,' Rourke said. 'The best part (Friday) was the energy she brought the whole team. Every first-pitch strike, we all looked at each other and got hyped for her. 'She just really brings the infield together and sets the tone for the game.' Perhaps Brueggmann's biggest shoutout went to Seivert after her highlight-reel play in center field in the top of the second. Seivert played a long drive by Clare Hester perfectly off the fence and threw her out at second base. It helped the Warriors advance to a 4:45 p.m. Tuesday semifinal in the Lockport Sectional against Lincoln-Way Central (33-1), a 10-0 winner in five innings over Homewood-Flossmoor. 'I don't even know what happened,' Seivert said. 'I just remember at practice we work so hard on the fence balls, getting the ball in. We just work so hard and I want to see it come out on the field.' Seivert's heroics resulted in quite a swing in emotions by Brueggmann. 'Yeah, I was kind of mad that I gave up the hit,' Brueggmann said, laughing. 'Then I saw Paige make that throw and I got so excited.' Brueggmann (12-6) has been a revelation during the second half of the season. She has 116 strikeouts and just 26 walks in 113 innings. Her breakout game came April 25 in a 1-0 loss to Marist. She didn't allow a hit through the first six innings. 'It definitely was a confidence boost,' Brueggmann said. 'I was expecting to pitch that day, but I wasn't the main starter on our team. I was a little nervous because Marist is a great team. 'I wasn't expecting perfection, I just went out there and did my best.' Lincoln-Way West coach Heather Novak has used Brueggmann as the main pitcher ever since. 'In that game, that outing, she showed her ability to attack hitters, to get those swings and misses, to get those outs,' Novak said. 'From there, she has really continued to grow as a pitcher.' She's ready for the moment. 'This is definitely the year,' Brueggmann said. 'I struggled last season and the year before and didn't have much confidence. I've been working on my mental game to stay calm, stay cool. 'I can get past tense moments now. It really helps to know that coach has confidence in me.'
