Latest news with #AndrewRegionalsemifinal
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Ryan Burns, who plans to study business at Indiana, goes to work as Andrew stymies Shepard. ‘Want to savor it.'
After four years of playing football and baseball at Andrew, senior outfielder Ryan Burns is preparing for the end of his athletic career. Burns plans to study business at Indiana, where he will give up sports and focus on academics. So, he certainly wants to make his final run on the baseball field a special one. 'These games mean everything to me,' Burns said. 'I'll remember them forever. Every game, I want to just do my best and have fun. I have nothing else to get ready for anymore. 'This is it. I definitely want to savor it.' Burns created some major memories Thursday, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run to help the host Thunderbolts roll to a 10-0 win over Shepard in six innings in a Class 4A Andrew Regional semifinal in Tinley Park. Jason Rediger also chipped in with a pair of doubles, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run for fifth-seeded Andrew (25-11), which will take on fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (20-10) at 11 a.m. Saturday in the regional final. JT Iles went 2-for-4 with a run and Drew Alexander added two RBIs for the Thunderbolts. Ben Reilly, making just his second start of the season after typically pitching out of the bullpen, threw six shutout innings, striking out nine and allowing just two hits and no walks. 'I was really excited,' Reilly said. 'It's my first year on varsity and I worked really hard all year to get this opportunity. I prepared myself well (Wednesday) night. I got some good rest, ate some good food today and my whole body felt great. 'I was ready for the game. I was hyped.' TJ Georgis and Steve Magana each had a double for 11th-seeded Shepard (13-17-2). Burns, meanwhile, sparked a six-run third inning for Andrew with a two-run double to the gap in right-center field. 'The guy before me got hit by a pitch so I thought he would throw me a first-pitch fastball,' Burns said. 'He did, I was ready for it and I put my best swing on it. 'It really fired up me and a lot of the guys in the dugout.' Hitting in the fifth spot in the order, Burns has been a consistent run producer for the Thunderbolts. Andrew coach Dave DeHaan knows he can count on Burns to deliver in big situations. 'Between football and baseball, he's played in a lot of big games,' DeHaan said. 'Guys like Ryan and TJ Burke have been through it all with football and baseball and have worked hard. ' I just want them to enjoy it because it's going fast.' That reality is something Burns has done his best to block out. 'I'm trying to ignore it for now,' Burns said. 'Once the last game happens then I'll embrace that. 'Last year, we won a regional and it was one of the best experiences playing baseball in my life, so I'm just very excited for this chance to try to make another run.' Andrew won its first 10 regular-season games and 15 of its first 17 this spring before struggling a bit in late April and early May. Thursday's win was the Thunderbolts' fifth in a row, and Reilly is confident things are back on track. 'We're flowing,' Reilly said. 'We're working as one team right now, which is what we need. We were a little off for a stretch, but we've found our groove and we're going with the flow.' Burns is one of the seniors setting the tone. His football experience certainly helps with that. 'Playing football taught me a lot of leadership, which I carried on to baseball,' Burns said. 'Playing two sports taught me a lot of hard work and time management, being able to control two sports at a time, especially over the summer. 'I think playing both sports is the best decision that I've made.'
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Toledo recruit Liam Arsich sparks Lincoln-Way Central with three triples and three runs. ‘Never done that before.'
You could understand if Lincoln-Way Central's Liam Arsich was a bit tired Wednesday night. The Toledo-bound senior outfielder did a lot of sprinting around the bases, after all. Three triples worth, to be exact. 'That's the most running I've probably ever done in a game, to be honest with you,' Arsich said. 'I've never done that before. I was seeing the ball well, and I just tried to stick with my approach and drive it the other way. 'I wasn't going for three triples, but it just happened.' Arsich scored after all three triples, too. He also drove in a run, sparking the Knights to a 5-0 win over T.F. South in a Class 4A Andrew Regional semifinal in Tinley Park. Conor McCabe had a double, two RBIs and a run and Cade Andrews added an RBI double for fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (20-10), which will play at 11 a.m. Saturday in the regional final against the winner of Thursday's semifinal between Andrew (24-11) and Shepard (13-16-2). Alex Panos struck out 10 in five shutout innings to earn the win, allowing four hits and two walks. 'I was trying to feel my stuff out early, attack guys and stay ahead in counts,' Panos said. 'I wanted to let them hit it and just rely on my teammates.' Blake Sims singled and drew a walk for 13th-seeded T.F. South (13-21-2). Juan Lozano, Abraham Serna and Kyle Smith each contributed a single. Arsich, meanwhile, tripled in each of his first three at-bats, starting in the first inning when he scored on an error to give the Knights a quick lead. He was ready to set the tone to begin his final postseason as a Knight. 'It's sad knowing I'm coming down to my last games of high school,' Arsich said. 'But I think we're locked in as a team and we can make a deep run in the playoffs.' Panos had a blast watching Arsich run around the bases. And he certainly appreciated the support. 'It was great,' Panos said. 'It's insane. I've never seen anything like that. When you're pitching and your hitters help you out, it's the best feeling. It relieved a lot of the pressure off me.' Arsich is hitting .358 with 33 runs, 12 stolen bases and 10 RBIs. He's also played a big role as a pitcher, compiling three saves and a 2.04 ERA in 24 innings. Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt knows he can count on Arsich. 'Liam's been awesome for us all year, both at the plate and on the mound,' Kutt said. 'He's a guy who we've leaned on in certain situations like (Wednesday) where we're looking for an at-bat to break it open. 'He did that for us. He gave us some breathing room. He's a senior trying to lead by example with his actions and with the way he carries himself on the field.' The Knights led 2-0, with Arsich scoring both runs, before pulling away with three runs in the fifth inning. Arsich's third triple highlighted the outburst. Arsich has been committed to Toledo since before the start of his junior season, fulfilling a goal to play Division I baseball that he said he's had his whole life. 'The pressure's been off me,' Arsich said. 'I don't have to think about college. I can just go out there and play, have fun with my friends and try to make a big run with these guys my last time around.' Whatever the results are, Arsich is going to be sure to savor his final moments with the Knights. 'I've got some of my best friends out here and playing with them makes my life,' he said. 'We're a big family and I love this sport.'
