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Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Logan Fernandez, a self-taught barber, takes next step for Mount Carmel. ‘One of the best outfielders in the state.'
Junior outfielder Logan Fernandez makes sure to get in his cuts for Mount Carmel. He generates explosive power with his bat but also boasts a special side hustle as a barber. 'My game has improved a lot because I have all of these great guys around me,' he said. 'They're here to help me get better and the coaches have trust in me to move me around the order.' Fernandez's effort was made to order Saturday. He came through with an RBI double and also scored a run, sparking the Caravan to a 4-2 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in Chicago. Notre Dame-bound junior starter Conor Eleteny struck out seven and permitted just two hits in five innings for host Mount Carmel (13-6). Junior outfielder Evan Bradford had two hits and engineered a late rally with a two-out, two-run double in the seventh inning for St. Laurence (9-11). Fernandez, meanwhile, has broken through in his first full year as a starter for the Caravan. He's batting .349 with 15 hits, 12 runs, five doubles, two triples, a home run and eight RBIs. He also has an unorthodox role on the team as a self-taught barber. He picked up the craft by studying YouTube videos. It sparked his interest, and he even created a handle, 'Nando Chopz.' 'To be honest, I just wanted to cut my own hair,' Fernandez said. 'Barber prices are really high, and I wanted to practice on myself. 'I could probably make money off it, but I like giving my friends cuts, guys like Mario in the clubhouse the other day.' Junior infielders TJ McQuillan and Mario Medina each decided to take a turn in the chair. 'He gave me a cut when we were in Florida,' McQuillan said. 'I came home, and my mom was pretty upset with me.' All kidding aside, McQuillan has been impressed by Fernandez this season. 'In all seriousness, he's a great guy,' McQuillan said. 'He didn't play much last year because we had two seniors. I think he's one of the best outfielders in the state. 'He showed (Saturday) he has a lot of speed and pop in his bat.' Medina described Fernandez as a glue guy who connects with players regardless of background. And the barber thing is pretty cool, too. 'He cut my hair a couple of days ago and I really liked it,' Medina said. 'He's a great guy. He's very outgoing and sociable. He's very competitive 'He has worked very hard on his game to get better. You can see that.' His place in the batting order shows Fernandez's versatility. He was in the coveted cleanup spot Saturday against the Vikings. During a recent game, he batted leadoff. 'I think this is my first year of just taking that role of helping my guys out,' Fernandez said. 'We're about to get into the Catholic League games against some of our toughest games, and I think we are trying what works best.' The 6-foot-1 Fernandez has athleticism, power and speed. He has range in the outfield and the ability to generate runs with his quickness and aggressive play. 'I try to make contact,' he said. 'With my speed on the bases, I'm always a threat to turn that into a triple. I think the way my athleticism plays into my game just makes a good all-around player.' Fernandez makes the trek to the Mount Carmel from Humboldt Park on the city's West Side. Playing baseball for the Caravan completes the circle. 'When one of my teammates makes a great play, that just gets me,' Fernandez said. ' Anthony Chavez made a great play at first. Just seeing my teammates out there really gets me going.'
Chicago Tribune
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
After trip to eye doctor, sophomore Lexi Kyros sees the light at catcher for Marist. ‘She's just a ballplayer.'
Marist coach Colleen Phelan doesn't beat around the bush when she asks questions. Last season, Phelan found out quickly that Lexi Kyros is a straight shooter with her answers. It happened during an indoor practice at the Marist Sportsplex when the freshman catcher was having a hard time holding onto pitches. 'After she dropped a couple of balls, I asked her, 'Can you see in here?'' Phelan said. 'And she was like, 'No, coach.' The minute we went back outside, she was fine.' Kyros has since seen an eye doctor. 'I've been told that I should be wearing glasses inside,' Kyros said with a smile during a break at Monday's outdoor practice. 'Yeah, it was nerve-wracking those first couple of weeks because I wanted to be the starting catcher.' Kyros wound up having a fine freshman season, helping lead the RedHawks to state in Class 4A. So far in 2025, she has been a vision of excellence behind the plate for Marist (4-0), throwing out three would-be base stealers. 'Lexi has been stepping up every single day,' Phelan said. 'She's just a ballplayer. She's a tough kid who expects a lot out of herself, but at the same time, she's also a ton of fun. 'The girls just really enjoy being around her.' Kyros is part of a catching team with fellow sophomore Riley Belcik. When one is catching, the other is usually the designated hitter. Belcik can also play in the outfield. 'Me and Riley are good friends,' Kyros said. 'It's all friendly competition, and it's fun to be catching partners.' Kyros got an unlikely start in softball when she was 5 years old with a rec team named the Palos Power. 'My family is 100% Greek, so no one knew anything from softball,' she said. 'It was all soccer and basketball. But my dad (Louis) saw it and asked if I wanted to play softball. He told me he'd figure it out and coach me and see where it goes. 'I got into it probably because I liked eating candy in the parade that they had. And my dad would put me behind the plate because I wouldn't pay attention at any other position.' An Orland Park native, Kyros was on a path to attend Sandburg, but things changed during spring in seventh grade. 'I was playing travel ball with Mary Fortner,' Kyros said. 'She said, 'Why don't you come and look at Marist? They have a great softball program.' So I went and fell in love with the school. 'I really liked the community there and wanted to be a part of that culture.' Kyros and Fortner both enrolled at Marist in the fall of 2023. In the spring, both were brought up to the varsity. Kyros earned a starting spot at catcher with Belcik when Notre Dame-bound senior Caroline O'Brien moved from behind the plate to shortstop. 'At the beginning, I was a little nervous, but Caroline had my back the whole time,' Kyros said. 'She helped me grow into the role of being a leader, being loud on the field and taking control of the plays. 'When I was younger, it was really cool to see her play and Emily Bojan before her. They were stupendous catchers. I would copy them and do all the same things they would do. I wanted to be them.' As a regular last spring, Kyros batted .343 with four doubles, three home runs and 22 RBIs. She had a great weekend at state, going 3-for-6 with three RBIs as Marist took second place. Kyros was the primary catcher for junior Gianna Hillegonds. The comfort level, for Hillegonds, came quickly. 'Of course, I was wary having a freshman catching for me,' Hillegonds said. 'But she fell into the role very nicely. She put her best foot forward, and if coach told her to do something, she did it. 'I love pitching to her. We all love her.'
