Andrew’s Jason Rediger is a two-sport athlete with dual passions, each being fueled by a different parent.
Jason’s mom, Lisa, is a huge hockey fan. His dad, Bob, got Jason into baseball and passed on his love for that sport. On the ice and on the field, Jason has given both parents plenty to cheer for.
“I’ve played both sports since I was a young age,” Rediger said. “They kind of both got me into their different sports. It’s fun.
“They always ask me which one I like better and I always say, ‘I don’t know.’ I get into baseball season and I like baseball. I get into hockey season and I like hockey. It’s hard to choose.’”
Currently, the senior infielder is trying to make the most of his final baseball season with the Thunderbolts.
Rediger produced a lasting memory Wednesday, ripping the first grand slam of his high school career to spark visiting Andrew on its way to a 13-4 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Homewood-Flossmoor in Flossmoor.
Augustana recruit JT Iles reached base four times, scored four runs and produced two RBIs for the Thunderbolts (8-8, 2-3), who drew 11 walks. Drew Alexander went 2-for-4 with two runs, a double and three RBIs.
“We just want to get on base any way we can and I think we did a great job with that,” Iles said. “Antonio Brown is a great pitcher, and our approach was just to jump on him early and we did.”
Mick Babcock earned the win in relief, throwing four shutout innings and allowing just one hit.
Calvin Stuckey Jr. went 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI for H-F (10-7, 2-5). Illinois-Chicago recruit Mikey Watson finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and Jalen Webb went 2-for-3 with a run.
Rediger, meanwhile, delivered the big blow in a five-run third inning, blasting a two-out grand slam to right field to give the Thunderbolts a 10-4 lead.
“I was figuring, with the bases loaded, he was going to have to come after me,” Rediger said. “I was ready for the fastball, and I caught it out front and I knew it right away.
“I kind of forgot it was a grand slam at first and then I hit first base and I realized, ‘Oh, wow.’ I’ve hit a few homers in high school but never a grand slam, so that was cool.”
It was the second home run of the season for Rediger, and Iles was not surprised to see him hit one well beyond the fence.
“When I look at him, I see, honestly, just danger,” Iles said. “When I’m on the bases, I know he’s going to put a good swing on it and he’s going to wreak havoc.
“On that grand slam, I knew right when he swung the bat that he had hit it good.”
Andrew coach Dave DeHaan also has confidence in Rediger’s ability to drive in runs, slotting him in the cleanup spot in the lineup.
“He’s a very powerful hitter and he’s got a great swing,” DeHaan said. “That was a big swing with two outs. I was proud of us for scoring a lot of runs with two outs. We haven’t done that most of this season.”
Rediger feels his spring so far has mirrored that of his whole team, which has been mixed with both hot and cold streaks.
“I’ve kind of been up and down so far this season, but I feel ready to get going now,” Rediger said.
Hockey helps Rediger with riding the wave.
“It’s about having a short-term memory and knowing how to be unfazed,” Rediger said. “I’m taking all that competitive nature from hockey and all the little things I’ve learned through that sport.
“I think it translates to baseball.”
