Prospect relishes underdog role
Prospect knows its role coming into this weekend’s Class 4A state baseball tournament at Joliet’s Silver Cross Field.
At 3 p.m. the Knights (26-8) will face Providence (36-3), which was ranked No. 1 in the state to start the season by Prep Baseball Report.
The Providence roster has 15 college recruits with a Division I infield anchored by Indiana-bound third baseman Sam Travis, who was also taken in the 40th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Reds. On the mound is the 1-2 punch of Northwestern-bound right-hander Brandon Magallones and Central Michigan-bound left-hander Matt Trowbridge.
The Celtics enter the tourney on an 18-game winning streak.
“We’re big underdogs in the game,” said Prospect junior pitcher-third baseman Jack Landwehr. “We’ve been underdogs all year but right now we feel like we can beat anyone.
“Everyone on the team feels we can beat anyone. All the pressure is on them.”
But Mid-Suburban League champion Prospect also believes it has been pressure-tested from the balance of league play and its tough postseason tests.
“This is one of those teams where you don’t really have to say too many motivating things,” said Prospect coach Ross Giusti. “They’re all internally motivated and know what they want.
“They’ve come out and played hard every game and it’s been a great experience to be around a group of kids like this who have bonded together.”
And losing three of four games at the end of the regular season wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to the Knights.
“It kept us in check that you have to play every game hard,” said Prospect outfielder Peter Bonahoom. “It really helped a lot.”
Who gets the ball?Prospect coach Ross Giusti wasn#146;t sure Tuesday if junior Jack Landwehr or senior Ben Menich would get the starting call against Providence.Landwehr improved to 13-2 after winning Monday#146;s supersectional and would be making his second straight start on three days rest. Menich is 7-1 and has started the MSL, regional and sectional championship games.#147;It will all come down to how Jack feels,#148; Giusti said. #147;We talk about being a competitor and he wants the ball, but he#146;s also a kid who is honest with us and will let us know when he doesn#146;t feel right.#147;I#146;m confident with Ben and Jack and anyone we put out there.#148;Landwehr said he#146;s ready whether he#146;s in the lineup on the mound or at third base.#147;I think Ben is a nice matchup for these guys,#148; Landwehr said. #147;His fastball moves so much it#146;s incredible and he can really keep Providence off-balance (with his changeup). I#146;m fine either way.#148;A nice problem to have: As is the case with highly successful teams, there are guys on the bench who could start for a lot of other teams.#147;The hardest part is guys like (Brad) Coffman and (Kevin) Miller have been integral parts of the starting lineup and they aren#146;t seeing as much action as they#146;d like,#148; said Prospect coach Ross Giusti. #147;From a superstitious standpoint you stick with a lineup that#146;s working.#147;We#146;ve had so many contributors help us to get to this point.#148;A super reunion Monday: First-year Glenbrook North coach Dominic Savino and assistant coach Mike Nisi saw an old friend at Monday#146;s supersectional in Rockford.Savino and Nisi, who played in high school at Elk Grove, also played for Mount Prospect#146;s American Legion team in the mid-1990s that was coached by Ross Giusti. The team also included St. Viator coach Mike Manno.Savino had an amazing first year with the Spartans with a 33-4 record.#147;The biggest thing is I#146;m proud of the senior class,#148; Savino said. #147;The attitude they brought on a daily basis #8212; it was a great group of baseball players and an even greater group of young men.#148;Trophy casing:Prospect will become the fourth Mid-Suburban League school to win a state baseball trophy.Barrington leads with five (first in 1986, second in 1987 and 1988, third in 1998 and 2005). Schaumburg has two (first in 1997 and second in 1989) and Fremd has one (fourth in 2000).Maine West took first in 1963 and Maine Township won titles in 1958 and 1959 and was second in 1949. St. Viator took second in 1965.Family affair:New Prospect head football coach Mike Sebestyen#146;s dad Don is the principal at Providence.The final word:#147;We actually did what we#146;re supppoesd to do (Monday).#148; #8212; Prospect first baseman Brian Bauer of his team eliminating the late drama in its 8-2 victory over Glenbrook North.