Trevor Wallace didn’t rest on his laurels after the Libertyville baseball team won the Class 4A state title last year.
Sure, Wallace proudly displays his championship medal and ring in his home. But few Lake County student-athletes, if any, can top what the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Wallace has done during his senior year as he succeeded all-state quarterback Quinn Schambow, started for the boys basketball team and succeeded all-state shortstop Cole Lockwood.
“Right after state, I had a game the next day for my summer team, and that slid into football,” Wallace said. “I had one day off after football, and then it was basketball tryouts.
“It’s definitely a lot, but I grew up playing all the sports and always loved it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Given Wallace’s resume, it’s probably not surprising that the Wilmington College commit has moved into a leadership role for the baseball team.
“Before, I would do what I could, but I knew I didn’t have that top voice,” he said. “On the field, it’s making sure the infielders know what to do in certain situations and how to help direct the outfield.”
By the same token, Wallace also recognized last season that a select few of his teammates were the keys to the Wildcats’ playoff run, even though he was a sure-handed starter at second base and was one of six regulars who hit at least .300.
“Last year, I was hitting down in the order, and I basically just did what the team needed me to do,” he said. “If I made an out, I knew the top of the order was coming up and there was probably a 50% chance one of them would get on and score.”
Most of those players — including Schambow and Lockwood — have graduated. But the defending North Suburban Conference champion Wildcats (10-5-1, 3-1) expect to make another postseason run, and Wallace is one of the primary stakeholders this time around. He’s batting .348 with 13 RBIs and 18 runs scored from the second spot in the order.
“Hitting No. 2, there’s a lot more pressure because I’m one of those guys who needs to hit,” he said. “I’m definitely hitting better. I made a couple of little adjustments with my approach but nothing major. I’m definitely more confident, and it’s much more fun for me personally.”
Libertyville coach Matt Thompson lauds Wallace’s bat control and the fact that he’s still doing the little things at the plate, like moving runners over.
“One of the cool things about Trevor is how much of a team player he is,” Thompson said. “He’s more consistent this year. In the past two years, there were times where he’d get antsy and pop it up. We tell our guys that line drives or ground balls will give you a chance. He’s recognized that and matured as a hitter.”
Moving to shortstop also wasn’t a reach for Wallace, who has played the position a lot for his travel team. He had conversations with Thompson about the switch as far back as last summer.
“We were excited to see where he’d be at shortstop,” Thompson said. “We knew his arm would play, and he’s made some incredible plays there. I feel like we haven’t missed a beat there.”
Thinking ahead, Wallace made sure to observe Lockwood and pick his brain about ways to best play the position.
“I feel like it’s been a good transition,” Wallace said. “He was a pretty vocal shortstop on the field, so I’m being more vocal out there. Seeing him and how it helped the team, it’s been something I’ve incorporated into my game.”
Lockwood’s younger brother, Chase, has played with Wallace for the better part of a decade and noticed the change immediately.
“You can tell there’s a different mindset this year,” Chase Lockwood said. “He’s stepped up big time, and he holds himself to a higher standard. He’s a phenomenal athlete and someone the younger guys can look up to to see how to handle yourself.”
Lockwood’s nod to Wallace’s athleticism isn’t lip service, of course. Wallace started seven games at quarterback and threw for 1,244 yards and 16 touchdowns with only one interception. Then he was a starting guard.
“It’s obviously pretty challenging, but it’s also fun to be able to do all that I do,” Wallace said. “My body has taken a beating, with my back in football, and I messed up my ankle in basketball. That’s along with the mental side of it. But it’s all worked out well.”
Wallace isn’t done yet.
“Since the end of last year, we’ve talked about how we could be able to go on another good run,” Wallace said. “I always thought it would be fun to play in college, and I knew I would play somewhere, so I’m glad it worked out.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
