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Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
At shortstop or pitcher, UIC recruit Sean Cody creates that special sauce for Richards. His key? ‘Get everybody up.'
Richards senior Sean Cody is a versatile talent who transcends the easiest descriptions. He's a shortstop. He's a pitcher. And he plays with a quiet flamboyance, a cool confidence. 'This is the most fun I've had out of all time playing here,' said Cody, an Illinois-Chicago recruit. 'I just look forward to every day like this. I only have a few weeks of high school baseball left. 'Everything's kind of sad or bittersweet, and I go out to have fun every day.' Cody kept the fun going Tuesday afternoon for the host Bulldogs, getting two hits, scoring twice and driving in a run during a 9-0 South Suburban Red victory over Shepard in Oak Lawn. Sophomore outfielder Ryan Golinski went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Richards (18-6, 13-2). Senior right-hander Xavier Fernandez pitched a complete game and finished with four strikeouts. Junior infielders David Nelligan and Cory Sheppard had hits for Shepard (11-12-2, 6-7-1). Cody, meanwhile, showed off his all-around play once again. He completed a spectacular double play in the field and went 2-for-3 as the leadoff hitter, sparking a seven-run second inning. 'I'm a little of both with my hitting, a contact and power guy,' Cody said. 'I don't have a lot of strikeouts this year. My approach is never just to go out and try to hit home runs every time up. 'We were a little tired at the start, and I just wanted to get everybody up and going.' A four-year starter, Cody also pitches and can play capably in the outfield. The different roles allow him to optimize every opportunity and learn the game from overlapping points of view. 'Pitching is great, especially when I'm throwing and batting leadoff the same day,' Cody said. 'Everything correlates, and I know the zone better when I'm up to bat. 'Pitching and hitting naturally flow together.' Golinski bats immediately behind Cody in the order. The benefits are immediately evident. 'Every time I get up, I know he's going to be on base,' Golinski said. 'Every time the ball is hit to short, I know it's going to be an out. No moment is ever too big for him. 'He's always confident, especially when he's hitting. He knows when the time is right.' Cody impresses as a natural talent with a great feel and an ability to impact the game. 'He's our best player this year and one of the best in the area,' Richards coach Jeff Kortz said. 'His IQ is off the charts. He's an extremely hard worker who goes into the weight room every day. 'He's a very instinctive base runner. He's great defensively. He does a lot of great things.' Cody was introduced to baseball at age 4, encouraged by his mother to stay involved with the game. The life and lifestyle of the sport are hardwired into his DNA. 'Being here with my coaches and my team, it's just a great atmosphere,' he said. 'Everyone around here is high energy. Other schools might complain about the long practices and the hours. 'We're completely different. We love to be here.' Cody's nature and personality have evolved to match the moment. By his own admission, he's frequently two different people. Quiet and reflective off the field, Cody transforms into a single-minded player between the lines. 'I try to be as loud as I can, so that everyone knows what is going on,' he said. 'I have no regrets. When I'm at shortstop, I talk to everyone and let them know the situation. 'When I'm on the mound, I like to control the game.'
Chicago Tribune
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
UIC commit Paige Liezert downplays her role. ‘I just show up and do my job.' Crown Point knows better.
Before Paige Liezert had thrown a single pitch in high school, Crown Point softball coach Angie Richwalski believed a future ace was on the way. Liezert is fulfilling that promise this season. 'We've been expecting this from her, and it's been great to see it all come to fruition,' Richwalski said. Liezert's season-ending injury during her freshman year proved to be only a minor hurdle on her path to stardom. As a junior, the Illinois-Chicago commit has emerged as one of the state's top pitchers. Following her five-inning shutout of Kankakee Valley on Monday, Liezert had a 0.96 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings, and she had nearly as many wins (11) as walks allowed (14). Richwalski said Liezert's most recent success for the Bulldogs (19-2, 10-1), who trailed Duneland Athletic Conference leader Lake Central by one game before a showdown Tuesday and are on pace for their best record since at least 2021, comes from mastering the more cerebral parts of the game. 'She's starting to understand how to use the entire strike zone and how to see it from a batter's perspective more,' Richwalski said. 'We've also worked on trying something else when she gets a swing and a miss so that batters aren't seeing the same pitch over and over again. 'She's really maturing in terms of how to manipulate batters and work the count.' Amid Liezert's dominance this season and early commitment to a Division I program, teammates like sophomore catcher Evi Cuevas said there has been no change in her calm, soft-spoken personality — aside from a brief show of frustration when a pitch misses its mark. 'She's definitely quiet,' Cuevas said of Liezert. 'She's not someone who's going to call a lot of attention to herself.' That's likely because Liezert believes her pitching isn't anything extraordinary. 'I just show up and do my job, and I feel like that's what I'm supposed to be doing,' she said. 'I'm glad that I'm contributing to my team's success, but I wouldn't be in this position without the defense behind me or the offense getting runs on the board for our win. It's definitely a team effort.' Two years ago, Liezert wasn't part of that team effort for very long. She suffered an avulsion fracture in her right wrist after pitching just nine innings. 'It was from the way I was pitching at that time,' she said. 'I overstretched some of the ligaments in the forearm, which ended up tearing the bone off and creating a fracture.' Liezert was sidelined for two months after the injury, a span that felt much longer to an athlete who had never experienced an injury recovery period. 'It was devastating,' she said. 'It was the first injury of my career that actually put me on the bench. I was so excited to play because I'd made varsity as a freshman and was ready to prove that I belonged there, and I wasn't able to help my teammates either.' After her wrist healed, Liezert said she tweaked her mechanics to prevent future issues, utilizing her fingers more to create movement with her pitches. She has also had regular dry-needling procedures, acupuncture-like treatments that relieve tension in the forearm muscles. Healthy last season, Liezert went 5-3 with a 1.89 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. 'It was super exciting to finally contribute to the team and to make more connections with the girls on the team because I was actually playing,' she said. Buoyed by that success, Liezert made an effort to improve her repertoire during the offseason. 'I definitely worked more on my breaking pitches, making them more deceiving by having them break later with more of a sharp break to the plate than a gradual one,' she said. It's all coming together for Liezert as the postseason approaches. Crown Point will play Morton on May 27 in the first game of a Class 4A sectional that also includes Lake Central and Munster. 'When Paige came in as a freshman, we were super excited for her because she came in with a tool belt full of weapons,' Richwalski said. 'Now we've reached a place where we know how to keep her healthy and she knows how to use all of the tools that she has.'
Chicago Tribune
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
College football recruit Charlie Snoreck soaks in rays of final baseball season for Sandburg. ‘It's one last ride.'
When he first started high school at Sandburg — before he was talked into playing football and then blossomed into an all-state wide receiver — Charlie Snoreck was all about baseball. Now that Snoreck is getting set to play college football at Concordia St. Paul, his baseball days are numbered. It's time for the senior outfielder to make the most of what's left. 'I'm trying to soak it in,' Snoreck said. 'It's one last ride, I guess you can say. I haven't always put in all my time and effort into baseball because I was focused on football. But this year, I have nothing to lose, so I might as well leave it all out there. 'Just have fun with your boys and finish out your baseball career in a good way.' Snoreck made sure Wednesday was a good day. He went 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, an RBI and a run to help the visiting Eagles earn a 7-4 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Lincoln-Way West in New Lenox. AJ Macak hit a three-run homer and pitched the final two innings without allowing a run to record the save for Sandburg (11-6, 3-4). Ethan Neakarse threw three innings in relief, allowing one earned run on three hits and striking out four, to pick up the win. Quinn Durkin and Prairie State recruit Alex Aguirre each added two of the Eagles' 11 hits. Illinois-Chicago commit Lucas Acevedo went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Notre Dame recruit Michael Pettit had an RBI double for the Warriors (12-4, 4-3). Kentucky recruit Conor Essenburg, Drury commit Anthony Vita and Carson Paulas reached base three times apiece. Macak's three-run blast in the second inning gave Sandburg a 5-0 lead. 'We came off the bus looking to score some runs early and put some scare in their bones,' Macak said. 'We put up two in the first and then we just continued to roll and roll and roll.' Snoreck, meanwhile, delivered an RBI single as part of a two-run first inning for the Eagles, who were in search of a spark after getting swept by Lincoln-Way Central in their last two-game conference series. Snoreck has been playing baseball since he was 5 years old, but his high school athletic days played out differently than he initially expected. 'When I was a freshman, I was all baseball,' he said. 'My friends convinced me to play football and I ended up loving it. Things jumped from there. I started becoming a good football player and, at the end of the day, I decided football was going to be the route to go.' But there's one more opportunity to shine on the baseball field. Snoreck, who mainly hit leadoff last season, has consistently been in the middle of the order this spring and was in the cleanup spot Wednesday. 'At the beginning of the year, it was definitely something to adjust to,' Snoreck said. 'Usually when you hit first or second, they're throwing you fastballs, not too many curveballs. 'I'm definitely seeing more curveballs now, though. It took me a few games to get adjusted and it's kind of starting to click now.' Sandburg coach Jim Morsovillo sees Snoreck locking in. 'He's starting to get hot,' Morsovillo said. 'He gives us senior leadership, a ton of experience having been up since midway through his freshman season, and he always gives us a competitive at-bat.' Snoreck's football career has made him ready for anything on the baseball field. 'There are times where I need a big hit in a big moment and I'll be like, 'Who cares? I'm going to get after it and get a hit right here,'' he said. 'I think that's what football has done for me. 'There's nothing like those Friday night lights. You're used to that pressure, so when you step out here, it kind of dies down a little bit.'
Chicago Tribune
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Catching on as utility player, Carson Maranda rights ship for Richards. To him, it's easy. ‘I'll just lock in.'
Junior Carson Maranda is the ultimate utility player for Richards. He can be a game-changing catcher, the way he was Monday, or he can operate on the other end of the battery as a pitcher. Third base or outfield? That's no sweat, either. And Maranda is ready to go anywhere on short notice. 'It's amazing,' Maranda said. 'I love being that utility guy. Before the game, I ask coach (Jeff Kortz) where I'm playing and I'll just lock in right then and there. 'If he tells me I'm catching, I mentally prepare for that because it's a big mental game.' Maranda was locked in for Monday's game, throwing out back-to-back runners on stolen-base attempts in the fourth inning while also reaching base three times to help visiting Richards pull off a 3-2 South Suburban Red win over Reavis in Burbank. Maranda went 2-for-2 with two singles and a walk for the Bulldogs (9-5, 4-2). Illinois-Chicago recruit Sean Cody went 2-for-3 with a homer and raced home for the go-ahead run in the seventh. Joliet Junior College commit Xavier Fernandez struck out five over five innings, allowing two earned runs while scattering five hits and five walks. Max Kawa tossed two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Parker Zasada picked up an RBI single for Reavis (12-6, 7-1), while Isaac Velasco reached base three times and scored a run. Dennis Muraida pitched 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing three earned runs on five hits. Richards broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh when Kawa hit a fielder's choice grounder but beat the throw to first to prevent what would have been an inning-ending double play. Cody dashed home all the way from second base. 'I'm speechless right now,' Cody said. 'I knew it was going to be a close play at first and I knew Max had good speed and he'd beat it out, so I just went home. It was great.' Maranda, meanwhile, set the tone both offensively and defensively. When consecutive Reavis baserunners tried to steal second base in the fourth inning, Maranda threw them both out. 'I was thinking, 'I hope he goes, I hope he goes,'' Maranda said. 'They ended up going. It was a costly mistake for them. Every time a guy steps on first base, I'm always thinking, 'He's running.' 'And when he does, I'm ready.' Maranda, who said playing third base helped him develop a powerful arm, did some catching on the freshman team but did not play the position at all as a sophomore in his first varsity season, spending most of his time in the outfield. 'After not catching at all last season, I had to take a big leap stepping back in but it's been a lot of fun,' he said. 'Definitely blocking is the biggest challenge. My arm has always been there. 'Framing takes time to get down, but that's been fine. Blocking is the hardest.' Regardless, Cody is always confident in Maranda. 'We can always count on Carson,' Cody said. 'Carson is electric. Back-to-back plays throwing guys out — that really got us all amped up. And then he's always doing his job getting on base.' Richards snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Rams, beating them for the first time since 2019. That was especially meaningful for Fernandez, whose uncle, Ryan Flood, is an assistant coach for Reavis. 'At Christmas, he's always talking, so it feels good to get him back,' Fernandez said. Maranda helped make sure Richards would finally break through against Reavis. And Kortz knows the junior leader will always be ready for anything. 'We've got him behind the plate because he's so athletic,' Kortz said. 'Last year, he took some lumps at the plate, but he started to feel it toward the end of the season and he's continued to get better. 'Next year, the sky's the limit for him.'
Chicago Tribune
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
If it's only one at-bat, Peyton Globke knows his role for Lincoln-Way West. Big hits. Clutch hits. ‘All the time.'
Junior outfielder Peyton Globke has emerged as Lincoln-Way West's go-to guy off the bench. Warriors coach Jake Zajc will often save him for the right moment, bringing him in to pinch hit in a big situation. Globke does everything he can to be prepared for the moment, staying focused mentally and making sure to remain in gear physically — especially on cold early season days. 'Coach always tells me to be ready for those moments,' Globke said. 'I'm just running up and down to keep my body warm, swinging in between innings, just staying loose. 'Just got to stay ready for it all the time.' Globke answered the call Friday, delivering a go-ahead two-run double in his lone at-bat to spark the host Warriors to an 8-2 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Lincoln-Way East in New Lenox. Illinois-Chicago recruit Lucas Acevedo threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win for Lincoln-Way West (10-0, 2-0). He struck out five and allowed just two hits while also contributing an RBI and a run offensively. Carson Paulas also went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI for the Warriors. Kentucky recruit Conor Essenburg finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Rocco Triolo went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, while Lewis recruit Jaden Henry doubled and scored for Lincoln-Way East (9-2, 2-1). Starting pitcher Jack Tamer allowed just one run and struck out five over three-plus innings. The Griffins held a 2-0 lead until the Warriors put up six runs in the fourth. After Paulas' RBI double got Lincoln-Way West on the board, Globke came up with runners on second and third and one out. Since Globke's chances to hit often occur in key moments, he's got his approach down pat. 'Just taking a deep breath in during each pitch, not letting the moment get to me and just staying calm,' Globke said. Globke ripped a two-run double down the left field line to give the Warriors the lead. Just what Zajc was looking for. 'We rely on Peyton for that,' Globke said. 'He's one of our offensive players who's been in the mix and we told him to stay ready any time (Friday). I was really happy for him and happy for us that he came through. That was a good two-strike hit and kind of broke it open for us.' Globke is happy to play his role, whatever that may be, on a team loaded with talent. 'You've got to always support the team, no matter whether you're sitting or not,' he said. 'Then when you get a chance in a big moment like that, obviously you've got to take advantage of it every time. 'It felt really good to come through. Carson got us started us off pretty well and then my hit definitely kept us going.' Acevedo took care of the rest, shutting down the Griffins late. Starting the game at shortstop, Acevedo was sure to develop a scouting report in his head in case he was needed on the mound. 'When I'm in relief, whether we're down or up, I'm attacking everybody,' he said. 'I've seen in the field what the hitters can do, what they can handle, what they're looking for, and I come in with a plan to attack. 'As a starter, you don't really get all of that.' The Warriors have thrived with their depth, having both a high number of arms they can rely on as well as a plethora of hitters capable of being the hero on any given day. This time, it was Globke who delivered the biggest hit. Whether he's starting or coming off the bench, Globke is always having a blast. 'Eight years ago, I quit soccer and started playing baseball and I've been all baseball since,' he said. 'I love it. It's fun. I like to think I'm decent at it and I just have fun all the time.' Originally Published: April 12, 2025 at 1:13 AM CDT
