Latest news with #Macak
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
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
A beast in the weight room, Sandburg shortstop AJ Macak also lifts his teammates' spirits. ‘Phenomenal leader.'
When Sandburg's AJ Macak was in eighth grade, his older brother, Danny, gave him some advice. Hit the weight room. 'He told me if I wanted to elevate my game, I would have to start lifting soon,' AJ said. So, Macak hit the weight room, and his first attempt was a struggle. 'I went to bench (press), and to be honest, I couldn't even bench the bar,' he said, referring to the 45-pound bar that connects the weights. That has changed. The senior shortstop can now boast a personal-best 365 bench lift to go with a 650-pound deadlift and 550-pound squat. 'He takes his lifting seriously,' Sandburg coach Jim Morsovillo said in an understatement. Macak also takes his baseball seriously. The Augustana commit delivered a double during a seven-run fifth Friday to help the Eagles beat Tinley Park 10-2 in a six-inning nonconference game that was called on account of darkness in Orland Park. Dominic Diamond added two hits for Sandburg (5-1), while Dominic Palumbo scored two runs and pinch-hitter Lucas Matykiewicz came through with a triple. Junior pitcher Peter Jurcenko worked five strong innings, striking out six and allowing two runs on three hits. Macak helped keep the seven-run rally going in the fifth with a double to right field. He motored to third base on an error when the ball was thrown into the infield. 'We had a runner in scoring position and I needed to put a bat to the ball,' Macak said. 'I saw the ball well and drove it the opposite way. 'I was actually looking at coach Morsovillo at third. I looked up and saw that the ball was in the middle of the field, and I didn't see anyone within a 30-foot vicinity. I took advantage of it.' Leadoff hitter Nolan Maciejewski scored both runs for Tinley Park (3-5). Danny Weed and Josh Aggen added RBIs for the Titans, who averaged 16 runs in their first three wins. On Friday, Tinley Park trailed Sandburg just 3-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth. That's when Macak came through. And while powerlifters aren't known for their speed, Macak is an exception. 'He has the ability to get on base and steal some bases once he gets going,' Morsovillo said. 'Going to third was a hustle play. While the ball was in play, he paid attention. 'When that thing got away, he got to third base. He's a heads-up kind of player.' Macak owns three Illinois High School Powerlifting Association records in the 165-pound division, including a three-lift total of 1,460 pounds. He knows bulking up can hurt his speed, so he made some adjustments for 2025. 'One of the biggest things I was working on last year was my speed,' Macak said. 'I know that last year was a little lackluster. 'I gained some strength and improved the wheels. I did a lot of the speed workouts with coach (Justin) Joy, and I really appreciated the help.' Jurcenko, who walked three in the first two innings before abandoning his windup and pitching in the stretch the rest of the way, appreciates his powerlifting teammate. 'He's a phenomenal leader,' Jurcenko said of Macak. 'He can get the guys going and keep the team motivated. I think that's what we really need to be a successful team.' Macak made his decision to attend Augustana shortly before the season began. Through Thursday, the Vikings were 9-9, including an astounding 30-3 win over Baruch in Florida. 'I was introduced to them by coach Joy, and I think the coaches and facilities are great,' Macak said. 'The team has a gritty and hard-working personality, and that's what I want to strive for.'
