Baseball: Lockwood, Libertyville keep state title repeat hopes alive with thrilling supersectional win
Chase Lockwood made sure that Libertyville had a return trip to Joliet.
Lockwood came up big at just the right time as defending Class 4A state champion Libertyville beat Lane Tech 2-1in the supersectional at Wintrust Field in Schaumburg Tuesday night.
Libertyville (29-10) will meet Mt. Carmel in the 4A semifinals Friday at 7 p.m. at Joliet Slammers Stadium.
Lockwood kept Lane Tech off the scoreboard through the first five innings, scattering 3 hits.
But in the sixth inning, Lane came alive. They got consecutive singles to lead off the inning. A sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third and then a walk loaded the bases.
Lane got an infield single to drive in a run and cut the lead to 2-1. Lockwood then reached back and struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
“I could feel myself getting a little tired,” Lockwood said. “I took a deep breath and just remembered it was just baseball. Trust my team and throws strikes. Those were the biggest strikeouts of my life.”
Libertyville coach Matt Thompson said he knew Lockwood could come through.
“He has been the guy the previous two seasons,” Thompson said. “He is just a great competitor and keeps us in ballgames.”
Libertyville, which beat Lane Tech (33-7) in the season opener for both teams back in March, scored the game’s first run in the Wildcats first at bat.
Trevor Wallace singled with one out. He would then scamper home as Braden Tolzien completed a 12-pitch at-bat with a long double to make it 1-0.
Libertyville came up with a key insurance run and the eventual winning run in the fifth. And it was Wallace and Tolzien who helped produce it.
Wallace led off with a single. He stole second and went to third on the same pitch that bounced away from the catcher. Wallace then easily trotted home on Tolzien’s second double of the game to make it 2-0.
Lane had one last opportunity to tie the game.
They led off the seventh with a drive off the left field wall. Unfortunately for the Champions, their hitter stood and watched the long drive. That resulted in just a single instead of an easy double.
Libertyville catcher Ryan Wilberding would later throw out his pinch runner on a steal attempt. Lockwood would get the final out on a flyball.
“It is so sweet,” Thompson said. “You think you can go back. That’s the goal, but it is not easy. It is just surreal. I am excited for the next two games to be with these kids for a few more days.”