Latest news with #Lincoln-WayWestSectionalsemifinal
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
01-06-2025
- 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.'
