Ethan Jablonski and Ean Ankney remember meeting for the first time at a Lakes baseball camp a few weeks before their freshman year began.
They had heard about each other through travel baseball, so Ankney approached Jablonski and asked him whether they could warm up together.
“I was super nervous about playing for my school freshman year, but Ean made it really easy,” Jablonski said. “He grabbed me and instilled confidence in me.”
Since that introduction, Ankney and Jablonski have been throwing partners before every practice and game for four years, with the exception of a brief time in 2024 after Jablonski was elevated to the varsity team.
That may not change anytime soon. Ankney and Jablonski, who have become close friends, will play baseball together at Augustana College after they graduate in May.
The 5-foot-10, 155-pound Jablonski, who has been Lakes’ starting shortstop for two seasons and bats first in the lineup, was the first one to commit in November. Augustana coaches contacted him after they watched him hit a walk-off double to end a tournament game in Indianapolis last summer, and then he visited campus with senior pitcher Brett Beerbower.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Ankney, a first baseman and relief pitcher who bats third, was Lakes’ quarterback for three seasons. But he wanted to play baseball at the next level.
“After football, I was still worried about recruiting,” Ankney said. “But after Ethan committed, they asked him if he knew of any corner infielders to recommend. Last summer, they had seen both of us play, but maybe they thought I’d be playing football.”
Ankney welcomed the opportunity.
“Ethan going there was a big part of me going there,” he said. “It will definitely create a layer of comfort, and it will be nice to room with someone I’ve known for a long time.”
Jablonski feels the same way.
“Once Ean committed, I was super happy,” he said. “I was a little nervous about going to college. But with him going, I know I’ll have someone to lean on.”
The Eagles (14-3-1, 7-1), who sit in second place behind five-time defending Northern Lake County Conference champion Grayslake Central, have learned they can lean on Ankney, including in his role as a closer. He performed that job to perfection on Saturday, when he struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh of Lakes’ 2-1 win over Deerfield.
Ankney produced an even more dramatic conclusion to a game last year when he picked off a Vernon Hills runner at first base to seal a 1-0 win.
“The calm man is the strong man,” he said. “It’s fun to pitch in those high-leverage situations. As I’ve grown, I’ve learned to embrace the pressure and the need to live up to the moment.”
Lakes baseball coach Brett Hill, who is also an assistant in football, has come to appreciate Ankney’s personality.
“He’s one of those kids who has the right mix of moxie without coming across as cocky,” Hill said. “He has a positive energy and is able to keep everyone focused when we need it and also loose when we need it. It’s cool to watch his demeanor.”
So it wasn’t surprising when Ankney spoke to his teammates after the Eagles’ 5-0 loss to defending Class 4A state champion Libertyville on Thursday.
“I wanted to let the guys know that we could compete with anyone and that we have to believe in ourselves,” he said. “They just got us that day. It doesn’t matter what situation, we’re good, and every single one of us belongs.”
No one understands Ankney’s ability to convey that better than Jablonski, who has become a confident leadoff hitter for the Eagles.
“I’ve learned to really like it and have gotten comfortable taking on that role,” Jablonski said. “I hit a home run to lead off the first inning last week against Grayslake North, and it was pretty cool — probably one of the best things I’ve experienced on a baseball field.”
Ankney, of course, will be around to witness any more cool moments in the future.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
