Latest news with #Lincoln-WayWest
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Luke Kavois helps Stagg submarine Lincoln-Way West for first regional title since 2019. ‘I'm not a flamethrower.'
Basically out of necessity, junior right-hander Luke Kavois tried a different approach for Stagg. The results for the unorthodox pitcher have proven to be unlikely and fortuitous — and stunning. 'I'm not a flamethrower,' said Kavois, who made his first career high school start on the mound Saturday at any level. 'I throw from a funny style that really started almost as a joke. 'The game plan was to throw strikes, get pop-ups and groundouts and trust my teammates.' That trust paid off. Kavois flummoxed second-seeded Lincoln-Way West on a two-hitter as the host Chargers pulled off another upset with a 4-1 win in the Class 4A Stagg Regional final. Junior outfielder William Houston had two hits, scored a run and came up with a big RBI single for the 12th-seeded Chargers (10-27), who advanced to play at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday against Providence (25-12) in a Lincoln-Way West Sectional semifinal in New Lenox. Senior shortstop Andrew Speh added a two-run single and struck out two in 1 1/3 innings of relief as Stagg won its first regional title since 2019. Kavois also scattered two walks in 5 2/3 innings. Senior outfielder Conor Essenburg hit a home run in the seventh for Lincoln-Way West (29-8), which averted a shutout after beating the Chargers by a combined 29-2 in two conference games. While the Warriors committed three errors and managed only five hits overall, Kavois' performance was a revelation. He didn't get a strikeout but provided compelling inspiration for his teammates. 'To see what he did after what he has come back is just awesome,' Houston said. 'I've known him since we were 5. He's always been awesome. He's so competitive and always wants to win.' The amazing story of Kavois' recovery from a frightening injury echoed Stagg's astonishing upset. 'We were playing in Myrtle Beach over spring break and I was in left field,' Kavois said. 'Instead of a warning track, they had a hill. I tried to make a great catch, tripped on the hill, landed on my wrist and smashed my head against the wood wall.' The diagnosis? Kavois suffered a broken right wrist and a concussion. Despite having to wear a cast for six weeks, he still pitched every day to maintain his arm strength. He was rewarded Saturday for his diligence and toughness. 'I love our pitching staff, but the only way we beat West was the guy who started today,' Stagg coach Matt O'Neill said. 'We beat St. Rita in 2008 throwing a knuckleballer. 'Today was similar to that. The only way to win was to have an unorthodox thrower.' Kavois' fastball has never been timed at more than 75-77 mph. At the age of 14, almost as a lark, he began experimenting with the submarine style, the equivalent to skipping stones. Instead of an overhanded or three-quarter motion, Kavois starts his delivery beneath his waist. His body is almost parallel to the ground upon his release. 'I'd be in the bullpen, catching other pitchers, and I just started playing around with it,' he said. 'What I saw was, whenever I did it, people really liked watching me because it's so different.' The horizontal and vertical drops of the ball threw off the timing and rhythm of the Warriors. With his background as a catcher, Kavois also has a unique perspective to the science of pitching. 'Whenever I catch, I always notice what guys are doing up at the plate and if they're getting out in front of the ball,' Kavois said. 'I always know what to look for.' The injury, the comeback and the throwing style continued the Chargers' Cinderella run. 'Right now, it just feels like everybody's hot,' Kavois said. 'It's the last year for our coach. We're manufacturing runs. Everybody's bought in, and right now, it's this great family atmosphere.'
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.'
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Andrew Speh makes call, hits homer in 11th inning as Stagg stuns Marist. Destination? ‘Taking it over the wall.'
Senior shortstop Andrew Speh predicted the exact sequence of events for Stagg. Before adding to his personal highlight reel, Speh relayed his thoughts to junior reliever John Skordas — saying exactly how his 11th inning at-bat was going to turn out for the Chargers. 'He threw me a first pitch curveball my previous time up,' Speh said of Marist's pitcher while describing the lead-up to his dramatic ending. 'I've gotten that from lefties the whole year. 'I told John, 'If he throws me a curveball, I'm swinging at the first pitch and taking it over the wall.'' Move over, Nostradamus. Speh followed up his words with action, hitting a two-run homer to lift the host Chargers to a 9-7 upset Thursday in a Class 4A Stagg Regional semifinal in Palos Hills. Senior catcher Brody Jeffers totaled three hits, three runs and two RBIs for the 12th-seeded Chargers (9-27), who play at 10 a.m. Saturday against second-seeded Lincoln-Way West (28-7) for the regional title. Sophomore infielder Dominic Talaga also drove in two runs. Junior starting pitcher Ryan Lawlor knocked in three runs and sophomore outfielder Tommy Hosty hit a two-run homer for seventh-seeded Marist (20-14-1). Batting leadoff, Speh took full advantage of his extended opportunities. He finished 3-for-6 with three runs and three RBIs. On the winning homer, Speh launched that first pitch to center. And he was pumped up afterward. 'How you picture Andrew is how he is,' said Skordas, who pitched the final six innings and struck out nine, offsetting eight hits. 'He got the adrenaline super high for everyone with that home run. 'He's the best teammate imaginable. He's there for you when you make your worst plays and he's there when you make your best plays.' Skordas then struck out the side in the 11th, including the final two batters as Marist stranded runners at first and second. It came after the RedHawks rallied from three different deficits. Jeffers acknowledged the two-run cushion allowed the Chargers to breathe and relax even as Marist, which came back by scoring a tying run in the seventh, was threatening again. 'Seeing the ball fly over the fence in a moment like that was amazing,' Jeffers said of Speh's homer in the top half of the inning. 'He's been one of my best friends for four years now. 'He just has this ability to pick everybody up, even if he's not having his best game.'' It was Speh's fourth homer of the season. 'I never had more than one home run in a season until this year,' he said. 'I've definitely gotten stronger throughout the year. I haven't won a playoff game in all three years I've been on the varsity. This is the coolest moment I've had. 'I couldn't have asked to do it with a better team.' Speh also shared the moment with his younger brother, Evan, a sophomore center fielder. Andrew, a year-round athlete, is a standout hockey player for the Orland Park Vikings. He's set to attend Minnesota, with the goal of playing junior hockey at the club level for two years as the necessary progression to make the Golden Gophers' team. A defenseman in hockey, Speh is the Chargers' defensive anchor at shortstop. 'We had a neighbor who played hockey, so I grew up playing that,' Speh said. 'My parents always said I was better at baseball growing up. 'I could never let go of hockey. It's fast, physical and just so mentally tough.' The mental demands of both sports have paid huge dividends, especially dealing with adversity. Facing the prospect of playing his final baseball game, Speh wasn't going to give an inch. 'Nobody thought we were going to win this game,' Speh said. 'They didn't even throw their best guy against us. You can't beat this, extra innings, at home, and we were the lower seed. 'We just knew we were going to win this game.'
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Lincoln-Way East's Adelyn Thomas scores twice in 50 seconds, then completes hat trick. ‘On another level right now.'
Adelyn Thomas is confident in her soccer abilities, but she went into her freshman season this spring at Lincoln-Way East with modest expectations. Thomas figured she could be a role player and spend the year learning. But becoming a 20-plus goal scorer? That's been beyond her wildest dreams. 'I honestly didn't think I'd have this much of an impact, but at the same time, the girls are super supportive and they were very welcoming,' Thomas said. 'So, once I met all the girls, I definitely thought it'd be a great season.' The postseason has been especially memorable for Thomas. The freshman midfielder has scored eight goals in three playoff games. She produced her second consecutive hat trick Tuesday night, leading the Griffins to a 4-1 win over Lincoln-Way West in a Class 3A Joliet West Sectional semifinal. Missouri State recruit Ellie Feigl added a goal for top-seeded Lincoln-Way East (18-3-1). Hannah Tokarski and Maddie Strzechowski each picked up an assist. The Griffins will play at 5 p.m. Friday in the sectional final against second-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (16-3), a 2-0 winner over third-seeded Andrew (15-6-2). Lincoln-Way East beat the Knights 3-0 on April 10. Milwaukee recruit Kiersten White scored a goal and junior goalkeeper Cora Franczyk made 13 saves for fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way West (10-8). Thomas' three goals came in a span of just under eight minutes. She scored twice in 50 seconds before completing the hat trick in the 17th minute. Feigl, a senior forward who put the Griffins ahead 4-0 less than two minutes later, has certainly been impressed by the freshman star. 'She's obviously played an intricate role,' Feigl said of Thomas. 'She has a great shot and she's scored a lot of goals that way. We're all so happy to have her on the team. 'She's definitely fun to be around and she obviously contributes a lot. We're all very proud of her, and she's going to keep doing what she's doing.' Thomas said it's been tough playing against more experienced players, but she has adjusted well. 'The biggest challenge is playing with new people,' Thomas said. 'You have to adapt to that. Plus, I'm playing against people two or three years older than me. You have to play a different style. You can't just dribble past everyone. 'Everyone's going to be stronger and faster than you. You have to play very quickly.' Thomas showed she can do that Tuesday night. Two of her goals were unassisted and featured her carrying the ball a long way down the middle of the field, beating defenders along the way. Thomas' playoff heroics have been dazzling, according to Lincoln-Way East coach Mike Murphy. 'She's on another level right now,' Murphy said of Thomas. 'We knew coming in that she was an elite player. At first, I definitely questioned if a freshman could step up to this level, but there's no doubt she has. 'She's just a special player. I'm glad she's on my team.' Thomas, who also has 15 assists, is now tied with Feigl for the team lead with 21 goals. It's been quite a dynamic duo. 'I think we both have a goal-scoring mentality and that knack for finding the back of the net,' Feigl said. 'It's wanting to score at whatever cost it takes. We've definitely been able to play off each other. I've had assists to her. She's had assists to me. 'We didn't know each other before this season, but we've been able to quickly build a friendship and play well together.' Thomas has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old. She knew a long time ago that it was her sport. 'I feel like it's just the contact and the fact that you never stop running,' Thomas said. 'I've always enjoyed it.'
Chicago Tribune
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Always reliable on defense, Lockport's Rheanna Slavicek reacts to dust and wind with big catch. ‘Pretty tricky.'
Senior left fielder Rheanna Slavicek is pretty reliable on defense for Lockport. Just ask her teammate, Colgate-bound senior pitcher Kelcie McGraw. 'Anything hit to left field, I know it's going to get caught,' McGraw said of Slavicek. But there was one 'uh-oh' moment Friday during host Lockport's 4-1 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Lincoln-Way West. Even Slavicek wasn't 100% sure she could catch up to an important fly ball. A dust storm was on the horizon, creating an scene. The wind and dust already had been prevalent throughout the game, but it was getting more intense in the seventh inning. With two on and two out, potential tying run Reese Cusack lofted a fly ball to left for the Warriors. Let the fun begin. 'It was very hard to gauge,' Slavicek said. 'I thought it was going over one way and then it tailed in another way. It was pretty tricky.' Still, she nabbed it and the Porters celebrated. Slavicek, an Olivet Nazarene recruit, closed the game with a tricky catch and opened things up with a home run before adding two singles to lead Lockport (21-9, 10-4). McGraw (12-6) pitched the win and struck out six in 6 1/3 innings, bringing her up to 190 for the season. Taylor Lane boosted her team-high batting average to .443 with two hits and two RBIs. The one bad thing that did happen for the Porters came in the fifth inning when senior shortstop Mikayla Cvitanovich left the game after getting hit in the face on a bad hop. Slavicek, meanwhile, hasn't made a habit of hitting a home run to lead off things. But she did accomplish that feat one other time this spring. 'The first game of the season I hit a solo home run,' she said, 'My strength as a leadoff hitter is to just make contact with the ball. I usually try to put the ball through the holes. 'My job is to get on base, so I try to do that.' Kaylea Armstrong came through with a pair of hits for Lincoln-Way West (19-11, 7-8). Abby Brueggmann drove in the Warriors' lone run. Lockport coach Marissa Chovanec, however, isn't surprised by Slavick. She has been watching her play like that for four years after promoting Slavicek to the varsity during her freshman season. 'She provides a lot of energy at the leadoff spot,' Chovanec said. 'She sparks the lineup. 'Four years ago, we had two freshman pitchers and we brought her up. We were rebuilding that year and we had some holes in the outfield, and she came in and did a really good job for us.' Friday's win was Lockport's seventh in a row since an 8-2 loss on May 1 to Lincoln-Way Central. The Porters have gone 13-1 since April 15, when they had a record of 8-8. 'I just tried to build our team up,' Slavicek said about the team's early struggles. 'I was telling all the players, 'You got this.' I was trying to be a leader and keep their confidence up.' Her leadership won't be ending when she leaves Lockport. Slavicek plans to major in elementary education with the end goal of teaching third grade. 'I'm so excited,' she said. 'During middle school, I was asked to volunteer to teach players about softball and I really liked the girls. 'Since sophomore year, I've been really wanting to connect with kids. I've loved them ever since I was a little girl. Since then, I've really wanted to be a teacher.' Why third grade? Thank Reed School third-grade teacher Jinger Billquist for that. 'She inspired me,' Slavicek said of Billquist. 'I liked her class, and I want to show passion for those kids like she showed for us'
