Latest news with #Lincoln-WayCentral
Chicago Tribune
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Lincoln-Way Central's Lyndsey Grein pitches Oregon to Women's College World Series. Team? ‘All that matters.'
The junior season of college softball for Lincoln-Way Central graduate Lyndsey Grein began with a whirlwind transfer portal experience and a big decision. It ended with her emerging as one of the top pitchers in the country and leading her new school, Oregon, all the way to the Women's College World Series. 'It was an amazing year at Oregon,' Grein said. 'I wanted to see how hard I can push myself and kind of find those limits. I think just being given the opportunity to grow athletically and as a person at Oregon gave me the opportunity to continue to grind and to get better.' Grein started her college career at Virginia Tech, going 22-11 with a 3.69 ERA over two solid seasons. But at Oregon, she truly blossomed. Grein went 30-3 with a 2.21 ERA. She finished second nationally in wins, was named a first team All-American by and was one of 10 finalists for USA Softball's national player of the year. Those individual accolades are not what mattered to Grein, however. 'For me, the way I kind of view it is whatever I do is just to contribute to the team,' Grein said. 'If I'm performing by best and it's helping the team, that's all that matters to me. 'That's where my focus stays. I don't think my success would have been possible without our coaches and catchers and the other pitchers on the team who all helped me get better.' Oregon battled back from a 14-1 loss to Stanford and won three straight do-or-die games to advance out of the double-elimination Eugene Regional. The Ducks then swept Liberty in the best-of-three super regional to advance to the World Series. Grein allowed just one run and struck out 10 in a complete game in a 13-1 Game 2 victory that clinched Oregon's first WCWS trip since 2018. 'All I could think about in that moment was celebrating with my teammates,' Grein said. 'To be able to go with that group was incredibly special. To be able to give them some big hugs and celebrate that moment with our fans at home was really cool. 'It's definitely a core memory for me.' Oregon (54-10) went 1-2 at the World Series. The win was a 6-5 thriller over Ole Miss in 10 innings as Grein threw a career-high 144 pitches in 9 1/3 innings. After that performance, Oregon outfielder Kedre Luschar spoke in the postgame press conference about her confidence in Grein. 'I love Lyndsey,' Luschar said. 'She's a competitor. She's so fierce. I put her up against any hitter in this country and she's going to win, and I just know it. I trust her, I believe in her, and she's so awesome to play behind.' Grein embraced the opportunity to pitch on the biggest stage in college softball, and she and her teammates are now extra motivated to get back and win it all next season. 'It was truly an honor to be a part of it,' she said. 'In our first game against UCLA, I gave myself a second just to look up and take it all in, and then after that, it was just like what I've done all season. 'Let myself have that moment and soak it in and then it was all business.' Grein said that all through the ups and downs of her first two college seasons, the tough decision to transfer and all the highs that came this spring, she's carried with her advice given to her by Lincoln-Way Central coach Jeff Tarala. 'He taught me to find joy in good and in struggle,' Grein said. 'I think in softball and in life, that message has really stuck with me. 'I think being able to find a little bit of positive in whatever you're going through is so important.'
Chicago Tribune
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
‘So impressive': Lincoln-Way Central's Lisabella Dimitrijevic the 2025 Daily Southtown Softball Player of the Year.
When she walked into Lincoln-Way Central for the first time, Lisabella Dimitrijevic had some high hopes. Her goal was to make an impact on the softball program. But seriously. To rewrite the record book? To be a two-time Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year? The Florida State recruit was much too shy to expect that. 'I didn't think I'd get to the point where I am today,' Dimitrijevic said. 'I wanted to be there, obviously, but I never thought I'd come this far. It just kind of happened.' Dimitrijevic, the 2025 Daily Southtown Softball Player of the Year, will leave the Knights' program as their all-time pitching leader in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, least amount of runs allowed and innings pitched. Lincoln-Way Central coach Jeff Tarala said there are more obscure, advanced stats where she's also ranked No. 1. What a ride. 'I'm just so happy I got to experience all of this with my teammates and my coaches,' Dimitrijevic said. 'They have really been there for me throughout my whole experience at Lincoln-Way Central the past four years.' This season, Dimitrijevic posted a 23-1 record and a 0.46 ERA. The senior right-hander had an eye-catching 349 strikeouts in 164 2/3 innings. At the plate, she batted .318 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs. In addition to the Gatorade and Daily Southtown honors, she also was all-state and the SouthWest Suburban Conference's player of the year. Tarala didn't have a problem ranking her with the best to wear the uniform for the Knights. 'I think she is the best player ever at Lincoln-Way Central,' Tarala said. 'You know, Lyndsey Grein is up there, obviously. And there is Laura Severson as well. There have been other great ones. 'But Lisabella has set just about every single record. And I can go on and on and on about what she has achieved. It's so impressive that when you're in it … I don't think until we step out of it will we truly appreciate or understand just how great she was.' Dimitrijevic spent her freshman season watching and learning from Grein, who went on to pitch for two seasons at Virginia Tech and then won 30 games this season at Oregon. From her sophomore through senior seasons, Dimitrijevic was 68-8 in the circle for the Knights. 'She did it with a quiet confidence and a quiet determination,' Tarala said. 'Bella was like a silent force on that mound. She was hyperfocused — she had goals in mind. And the goal was to dominate the pitch, to dominate the hitter, to dominate the inning and to dominate the game. 'But at the same time — and it sounds contradictory — although she was super focused and concentrated, she also had things in perspective. It's high school softball. She wanted to enjoy herself and have fun with her friends.' In her own mind, the area that Dimitrijevic has grown the most goes back to being a shy freshman. 'I was never really a huge leader when I was little in travel ball,' Dimitrijevic said. 'Even freshman year, Lyndsey pretty much did it all for me as far as being a leader. 'My sophomore year, we didn't have any seniors. So as the main pitcher, I felt like I had a big responsibility to step up and fill that leadership role. Obviously, it has gotten a lot better.' Junior infielder Ellie McLaughlin discovered the 'Bella effect' early on. 'My freshman year, when I didn't have to pick up many ground balls in the field, that's when I realized,' McLaughlin said, laughing. 'It has been just incredible watching her. 'She is so talented and so determined. Bella has been a leader in every aspect. She wants the best for everyone, and you can see it on the field and off the field. 'It was just an honor being on the field with such a competitive person.'
Chicago Tribune
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Colgate recruit Kelcie McGraw brushes away adversity as Lockport ousts Lincoln-Way Central. ‘That's good to hear.'
During and after games, senior pitcher Kelcie McGraw is used to getting compliments from her Lockport teammates. The one she received Friday from senior teammate Rheanna Slavicek after the biggest win of her high school career, however, caught her a bit by surprise. Slavicek pointed out that the Colgate recruit was her role model. 'Really? That's good to hear,' McGraw said with a smile. 'I've had little girls say it before, but it means so much to have someone on the team say it. 'I've been told that I'm a leader and people expect me to be a leader. But that has never been said to me.' The role model and her apprentice both made magic for the host Porters in a 2-0 victory in 10 innings over Lincoln-Way Central in the Class 4A Lockport Sectional championship game. McGraw scattered six hits and struck out 11 for the Porters (30-9). Slavicek came through with an RBI triple that broke a scoreless tie. McGraw added an RBI single for the second run. Florida State recruit Lisabella Dimitrijevic struck out 15 for Lincoln-Way Central (34-2). Ellie McLaughlin and Jaimee Bolduc added two hits apiece. Lockport will play Bradley-Bourbonnais (22-12) at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Illinois Wesleyan Supersectional. Friday's game was a classic in every sense of the word. The Porters produced base runners in six innings, while the Knights had scoring chances in eight. The two staff aces shut the door time after time. 'It's always a good battle between me and her,' McGraw said of Dimitrijevic. 'It's been like that for four years. We've faced her so many times that it could go either way. 'It does get you a little bit nervous, but you can't let the nerves take over.' Lockport broke through in the top of the 10th. Marie Baranowski led off with a sharp single to right. One out later, Slavicek came to the plate and took a 1-2 pitch to the gap in right field. 'It felt unreal,' Slavicek said. 'I had a different approach from my last time at-bat. I was more loose. I didn't overthink what could happen. I just kind of trusted my training.' McGraw was in the hole while Slavicek raced around the bases all the way to third. 'You can always rely on her whether she's in the outfield or at bat,' McGraw said of Slavicek. 'When she hit that ball, I was thrilled. I knew we were going to win from there and move on.' McGraw gave herself an extra cushion with two outs when she grounded a single up the middle to drive in Slavicek. All that remained for McGraw to slay the Lincoln-Way Central giant was get through the bottom of the 10th. It wasn't easy. McGraw retired the eight and nine hitters, but at the top of the order, McLaughlin kept the Knights alive with an infield single. Kayla Doerre then coaxed a walk. That created the final storybook battle between McGraw and Dimitrijevic. First, however, Western Michigan-bound senior catcher Liliana Janeczko made a trip to the circle. 'I told Kelcie, 'It's me and you out here,'' Janeczko saaid. 'I told her to just imagine nobody else out there. And she locked in.' McGraw got Dimitrijevic to hit a pop fly. Senior shortstop Mikayla Cvitanovich then made a nice catch as she ran toward left field. 'That's a team which is really hard to play,' McGraw said. 'Going into this one, we said that the pressure is all on them, not us. I tried not to think too much about it last night. 'When I woke up this morning, I said, 'OK, we're set. We're ready.''
Chicago Tribune
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Lincoln-Way East rides Cooper Johnson's five no-hit innings to win over Lincoln-Way Central. ‘Unbelievable, man.'
In recent weeks, two-way sophomore standout Cooper Johnson had been limited to just one way of contributing for Lincoln-Way East. Johnson had been serving as the team's designated hitter, but the right-hander had not pitched since May 9 due to an elbow injury. Returning to the mound with the season on the line, he wasn't worried about the layoff. 'I went in there with confidence like I always do and felt the way I always do,' Johnson said. 'I just wanted to attack and make them put it in play.' Johnson's comeback went much better than anyone could have anticipated. He threw five no-hit innings to lead the Griffins to a 3-0 win over Lincoln-Way Central in a Class 4A Lincoln-Way West Sectional semifinal in New Lenox. Johnson struck out three on his way to the win and had just one batter reach base against him via an error. It ended up being a combined one-hitter for top-seeded Lincoln-Way East (28-10) as Jake Tamer threw the final two innings for the save. Lincoln-Way East coach John McCarthy was thrilled with how ready Johnson was for the big game. 'Cooper did a great job,' McCarthy said. 'He deserves all the credit. He was outstanding and he kept attacking the zone.' Johnson also singled and scored, while Roosevelt recruit Danny Mackey III delivered a two-run single and Tyler Hudik added a single, a walk and a run for the Griffins, who will play at 11 a.m. Saturday in the sectional final against Providence (26-12), a 2-1 semifinal winner over Stagg on a walk-off homer by Enzo Infelise with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Toledo recruit Liam Arsich had the lone hit for fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (21-11). Xavier commit Luke Mensik threw 3 2/3 strong innings in relief, allowing one earned run on two hits. Johnson, though, was in total control, getting through five innings in just 50 pitches. 'First game back, it was all about efficiency,' he said. 'I got the job done without throwing a lot of pitches. It felt good.' Johnson knew he was on a pitch count in his first start since the injury, so he was not upset to be pulled out of the game with a no-hitter. 'I actually told them to take me out,' Johnson said. 'We had Tamer ready in the bullpen and I knew he'd shut it down for us.' Johnson said he felt good despite the time off. His biggest concern was whether he would be able to control his pitches. 'I knew it was going to be hard to locate my stuff the first game,' Johnson said. 'But I had it pretty well.' Mackey, for one, was impressed. 'He was awesome,' Mackey said of Johnson. 'His first game back. He was unbelievable, man. He's going to be good. He's going to be very good.' Mackey, meanwhile, provided all the run support Johnson would need. Batting eighth in the order, he came up with runners on second and third and two outs in the second inning. Mackey worked an eight-pitch at-bat, fouling off a pair of two-strike pitches before ripping a two-run single up the middle. 'It was huge,' Mackey said. 'We only scored one more run after that, so if that doesn't happen, it's a totally different ballgame. It's all about preparation in that situation. 'I haven't been swinging it well lately, but I've been putting in extra work every day, and that's exactly what I've been working for.' The same goes for Johnson, who has emerged as the Griffins' cleanup hitter and one of their top pitchers in his first varsity season. The sophomore was ready for the challenge. 'It's just a mindset thing,' Johnson said. 'No skill-related things are going to change. You just have to have the same confidence every outing, no matter who you're playing against.'
Chicago Tribune
31-05-2025
- 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.'
