Quinn Schambow’s all-state senior season as the quarterback for the Libertyville football team didn’t end with a championship.
But Schambow’s final season with the baseball team could, and his contributions loom large again.
“That was the goal coming into the year,” he said. “That’s the goal in any sport.”
It’s not a goal that many athletes accomplish, but Schambow and the Wildcats have a chance after he went 2-for-4 and scored the decisive run in the eighth inning of their 2-1 win against Normal Community in a Class 4A state semifinal at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet on Friday.
Schambow, an Oklahoma State baseball commit, also was exceptional behind the plate for junior right-hander Chase Lockwood, who didn’t allow an earned run in a complete game.
Schambow believes connections like that have a lot to do with the success of the Wildcats (35-4), who will play McHenry (36-4-1) in the state championship game at 7 p.m. Saturday with a chance to win their first title.
“I think that’s what drives teams to succeed,” he said. “I trust every guy on this team, and I guarantee not every team can say that.
“Everyone pulls their own weight, and I think that’s why we’re successful and why we’re here.”
Lockwood (10-0), who scattered five hits, walked three and struck out seven, went toe-to-toe with Indiana commit Gavin Swartz in a game that was scoreless through seven innings.
Lockwood didn’t have his best stuff during a three-inning outing against Lake Zurich in the Stevenson Sectional championship game, but he knew things would be different Friday as soon as he started warming up.
“In the pen, I threw my first pitch, fastball, and I always go low and away, and it was right exactly where I wanted it, and I thought, ‘These hitters don’t stand a chance,’” Lockwood said.
The Wildcats managed to push two runs across in the top of the eighth, which started with senior center fielder Mason Strader getting hit by a pitch. Schambow’s one-out single to right allowed the speedy Strader to reach third base, and Strader scored after Swartz made an off-target throw to third on Libertyville senior first baseman Joshua Holst’s comebacker.
Schambow scored the second run on junior designated hitter Carson Holmes’ single in the next at-bat.
“He left it up, and anything around the plate, I’m trying to put some power into moving the guy over and trusting the guy behind me,” Schambow said of his single. “And look what happened — two runs.”
The Wildcats needed both because Normal (36-5) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth. Lockwood struck out Carter Harris, though, to end the game with the potential tying run on third.
“There’s nothing better than going through a whole game with one dude,” Schambow said. “It’s insane. That doesn’t happen that much. Eight innings for a pitcher in a game is pretty hard to do, especially putting up zeroes.”
It’s not quite as hard to do with Schambow as the catcher.
“The defensive side of things from him does so much because when a guy gets a base hit, they’re not running,” Libertyville coach Matt Thompson said. “He calls a great game and can see hitters’ weaknesses after a single pitch and knows how to pitch to them, and in managing our staff, a lot of credit goes to him.”
Lockwood gives Schambow credit too.
“There are countless times when he’ll come up to the mound asking me what I want to throw, and I tell him, ‘It’s your game,’” Lockwood said. “Whatever he thinks will be good, I’ll throw right to his glove.
“I’ve shaken him off maybe twice this year, and I think both were hits.”
Schambow, who will attend the MLB draft combine that begins Tuesday, often makes it look easy. He started Friday batting .459 with 25 extra-base hits and 47 RBIs. But there’s more to his success than meets the eye.
“Going to different showcases and being on the national stage comes with a ton of pressure,” Thompson said. “The bigger the stage, the bigger the moment, and it doesn’t faze him. He actually lives for that and makes it fun for him.”
Schambow plays with a quiet confidence.
“I go up to the plate thinking I’m the best player in the country, and that’s how it’s got to be,” he said. “I think I’m the best player on the field at all times.
“A lot of the stuff I did in the offseason leads up to this and takes care of itself once the game starts.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
