Latest news with #Arsich
Chicago Tribune
7 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.'
Chicago Tribune
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
As MLB scouts watch, Kentucky-bound Conor Essenburg knows role for Lincoln-Way West. ‘I'm in love with hitting.'
Lincoln-Way West's Conor Essenburg is doing his best to block out the outside noise, but he knows a big choice is not far off. The senior outfielder/pitcher, who is committed to Kentucky, has several MLB scouts watching him at every game and figures to hear his name called in July's draft. Then he'll have to decide between college and turning pro. 'I've done a good job with ignoring it, but recently, it's been getting a little bit harder,' Essenburg said. 'We're getting close to the draft, obviously, and there are a lot of things I have to think about. 'It's hard stuff to figure out as an 18-year-old. I'm definitely going to take it slow because this decision is going to change my life no matter which way I go.' For now, Essenburg's focus is on continuing to dominate at the high school level. He delivered with a key two-run double Wednesday to help himself earn the win on the mound as the host Warriors edged crosstown rival Lincoln-Way Central for a 4-3 SouthWest Suburban Conference win in New Lenox. Essenburg struck out nine in five innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. He went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a run to lead Lincoln-Way West (21-7, 10-5). Quentin Lange was 2-for-2 with a run, while Roosevelt recruit Ian Hazelip and Jackson Mansker each added an RBI single. Rock Valley commit Tyler Bartley pitched the final two innings, striking out three, and allowed just one unearned run to record the save. 'This is the reason why I play baseball,' Bartley said. 'Being on the mound in a one-run game in the last inning, these are the situations that I find so fun. Baseball is a fun game, but in those situations, it's even more fun. I just love it.' Conor McCabe came up with an RBI single for Lincoln-Way Central (15-9, 10-3). Cade Andrews went 2-for-3 with a run, while Toledo recruit Liam Arsich singled and scored a run. Arsich also threw 4 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and striking out three. Arsich took a shutout into the fifth inning and the Knights led 2-0 before the Warriors put up four runs. Essenburg tied the game with a two-run double before Hazelip and Mansker's RBI singles gave the Warriors the lead for good. Essenburg, who knew his pitching day was over, was motivated to make an impact another way. 'It definitely lit a fire in me,' Essenburg said. 'My competitive edge came out and I was getting sick of losing, so I wanted to do something to change the game around.' Lange, the ninth hitter in the batting order, singled ahead of Essenburg's at-bat and was confident something good was about to happen. 'The whole game plan is just to get on base by any means and get it back up to Conor and let him do the magic,' Lange said. 'It's awesome having him behind me. He drives us in all the time.' Essenburg is hitting .461 with 31 runs, eight homers and 42 RBIs. He's also 5-0 on the mound with an 0.95 ERA. Even more important than those dominant numbers, according to Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc, is how he has become a better team player. 'This year, he's been a tremendous leader,' Zajc said of Essenburg. 'He leads by example, and he's trying to be a vocal leader. He celebrates with his team. He's doing everything he can to help others and I'm very proud of him in that aspect.' Essenburg plans to be a full-time outfielder after high school, so his pitching days are numbered. 'Pitching is fun still so I'm trying to enjoy it while I can,' he said. 'But I'm also excited to be able to put the ball down and put all my focus on swinging the bat every day. It's going to be fun. 'I'm in love with hitting.'
