By Connor Allen ‘26
The Brother Rice Crusaders beat Lincoln Way Central, 7-0, on Wednesday, March 31. This was a huge bounce back win after the Crusaders took a tough loss to Lockport on Tuesday.
This win was a great team effort. The hitters provided early run support, and the pitchers threw an excellent game to throw a combined shutout.
The Crusaders got hot fast and had a great start in the first inning. They scored four runs and were able to take an early lead. “Having a hot start really got the energy up in our dugout,” said senior Mitch Rascop.
Although the bats were hot early, the main factor of the game were the performances on the mound. Three different pitchers combined to throw seven scoreless innings.
The pitching was phenomenal all day long. Senior JJ Manos started the game. He threw four innings and threw a shutout game.
“To be able to go out there and throw a clean game for my team meant a lot to me,” said JJ Manos.
In the fifth inning, junior Aidan Dillon took the mound and threw two innings. He kept the Crusaders in control and did not let up a run.
With the game in the final stretch, junior Gavin Stanislawski took the mound for the seventh inning. He also kept the Crusaders rolling and completed the shutout.
“Watching the Crusaders have such a great start, there was no doubt that they weren’t going to win,” said senior Owen Hayes.
Overall, this was a great win for the Crusaders against a high level baseball team.
They take on Libertyville this Saturday at 11 a.m. at home on George Sedlacek Field.
