NSC title game next for high-flying Eagles

Lakes High's Andrew Tubek (1) is mobbed by teammates after circling the bases on what started out as single to left in the third inning of Tuesday's game.
(Michael Schmidt/News-Sun)

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Lakes High first-year baseball coach Bill Rosencrans realized way back in Game 3 of the young season that his young team could contend for its first North Suburban Conference Prairie Division title.

After losing a close 2-1 opener to Carmel, the Eagles followed up with a win over Harvard before dropping a close 4-3 contest to Warren.

"We knew we had potential," said Rosencrans. "But when we hung right with Warren, which had gone downstate in the summertime, we were confident we could contend."

Lakes, which has four juniors and a sophomore in its starting lineup, more than lived up to those expectations, clinching a share of the Prairie title on Monday -- despite losing 3-2 to Antioch -- thanks to a Grant loss that same day.

In just their fourth year of fielding a varsity team, the Eagles won the Prairie outright with a 12-4 pasting of Antioch on Tuesday. It was the team's 20th win in 30 games, including a 10-2 league record.

Leadoff hitter Kevin Kelly had a perfect on-base day Tuesday, reaching five times in as many at-bats on three hits, a walk and an error. His three RBIs were exceeded by his four runs scored, and he had two stolen bases.

That kind of day punctuated Rosencrans' statement that "Kelly is our No. 1 all-around offensive player."

The team has three solid pitchers, led by ace Tim Ryan, who has crafted a 6-1 record. Rosencrans is confident about handing the ball to his other three starters as well, juniors D.J. Snelton and Travis Vanderwall, as well as late-season call-up, sophomore Nick Hibbing.

In addition to Kelly, the Eagles are bolstered offensively by the bats of Vanderwall, fellow junior Wills Massie, who bats cleanup, sophomore third-sacker Paul Kukulka, and designated-hitter Eric Lopez. He went on to name junior Andrew Tubek, junior Ryan Noon and Kulkulka as players who have exceeded expectations.

"This is a good group of guys as far as working, listening and paying attention to detail," said the coach, whose sentence was interrupted by one of his players slapping a "North Suburban Conference Prairie Division Champs" sticker on his chest.

"They have an upbeat attitude," he continued as if on cue. "And all year long, we've done a good job of never being out of games."

There are still worlds to conquer this season.

regional so we can be there."

Lakes has beaten all the teams in the Wauconda Regional (Wauconda, North Chicago and the two Grayslakes), so the possibility of the Eagles soaring for a bit longer remains high. PREP BASEBALL