Brady Rossa has waited a long time for his chance to shine for Lincoln-Way Central.
Rossa, a senior infielder/outfielder, was unable to crack the regular lineup last season and came into this spring unsure if he would be a starter. But he kept grinding.
“You’ve just got to be hopeful,” Rossa said. “Be aggressive. Make the most of opportunities. This is my senior year. You don’t get much baseball in your life. So, when I got a chance, I had to take advantage of it.”
Has he ever. Rossa has worked his way into the cleanup spot for the Knights.
He produced quite a memorable moment Monday afternoon, blasting his first high school home run — a two-run shot — that sparked host Lincoln-Way Central to a 7-4 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Sandburg in New Lenox.
Luke Tingley added a three-run homer for the Knights (11-4, 4-0), while Illinois Wesleyan recruit Conor McCabe went 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Owen Novak, also an Illinois Wesleyan commit, earned the win on the mound after allowing three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Rossa finished 2-for-3, chipping in with a double and scoring twice. But his towering homer to left field that gave the Knights a 3-1 lead in the third inning? That was unforgettable.
“I was sitting on the fastball and he threw it low and in and I just golf-swinged it away,” Rossa said. “It felt great off the barrel, and that feeling when all the guys are cheering for you, there’s nothing else like it.
“It was amazing. I’ve been close before. I’ve had a couple in summer ball, but it’s just different when you do it for your school, in front of all your guys. It meant more.”
Solomon Mitchell went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run to lead Sandburg (11-5, 2-4). South Suburban College commit Aidan Barrera finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI and pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs.
Rossa, meanwhile, has gone from a base-running specialist to a breakout star for Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt.
“He’s an awesome story,” Kutt said. “We’ve had a number of conversations, he and I, over the last couple years and I told him, ‘Just keep doing what you can do.’
“Last year, he was pinch-running a lot and I told him I loved his approach to the game. Even when he wasn’t in there every day, he was doing what he could to help us win.”
Now, Rossa is contributing in a big way with his bat, hitting .391 with nine RBIs.
“I tried to work my way up and be persistent,” Rossa said. “Last year, I didn’t start off very well and I wasn’t able to earn myself a spot, but it was hard work in the offseason.
“My coaches have confidence in me and trust in me. I’m just taking their trust and running with it.”
Rossa also plays football and got some experience with taking on a bigger role last fall when he stepped in as one of the Knights’ running backs after a season-ending injury to Tingley.
In both sports, Tingley has watched Rossa wait patiently then thrive.
“I’ve seen him work really hard in all sports and it’s great to see him finally get his chance and play well,” Tingley said. “It’s a great feeling for me just watching it, so I’m sure it’s especially great for him.”
Some of Rossa’s ability to maintain belief in himself through the setbacks is owed to a family legacy.
“My dad, Nick, was a four-year varsity starter in baseball at Plainfield Central and he taught me everything I know,” Rossa said. “My grandpa and great grandpa both played in the minor leagues.
“So, I always knew I could do it. Baseball is in my blood.”
