Sean Popp got just four at-bats his entire junior season, spending most of last spring cheering from the bench as St. Laurence won the Class 3A state championship.
Playing time this year was far from a guarantee, either. Popp, a senior infielder, was not a starter at the beginning of the season. But he never gave up.
“I’ve been waiting a couple years now for my opportunity but not playing didn’t make me stop working hard,” Popp said. “If anything, it made me work harder. As soon as I got the opportunity, I just let that hard work pay off. It’s awesome.”
And when a teammate’s injury opened the door for Popp, he took full advantage.
The Oakton recruit continued his strong play Monday, producing a pair of hits and three RBIs to lead the host Vikings to an 11-4 win over Brother Rice in Burbank that clinched the Catholic League Blue title.
Louisville recruit Cory Les went 2-for-2 with a triple and three RBIs for St. Laurence (29-1, 13-0). He also pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, striking out five and not allowing a run to record the save.
Kentucky commit Tristan Steger homered and TCU recruit Jimmy Benson earned the win, allowing four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Last season, St. Laurence was in the same situation, needing just one win in its final Catholic League Blue games against Brother Rice to win the title but got swept by the Crusaders.
“Winning state was great, but we definitely had this circled for a whole year now,” Les said. “It was 365 days of waiting. We wanted this one really bad.”
It was also a Do It Stevie’s Way Tournament game as the Vikings clinched their pool to advance to next week’s semifinals.
Northwestern recruit Nolan Ramoley went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Brother Rice (21-9, 11-2), while Purdue Northwest commit Treylan Webster finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run.
Popp, meanwhile, came through with a two-run single during a five-run second inning that gave St. Laurence a 6-0 lead. He added an RBI single in the fifth as the Vikings responded with five more runs after the Crusaders pulled within 6-4.
“Sean’s been an instrumental part of our team this year,” Les said. “No one else really sees the hard work he does in the offseason but we all do. He’s probably the first one in and the last one out every single day.
“Him stepping up has been huge. He’s a role model for all the players on our team now.”
Popp got the chance to be a full-time starter after senior first baseman Adrian Perez was injured in late March. Perez left some big shoes to fill.
“There was some pressure,” Popp said. “At the same time, I had great guys around me who gave me the confidence that I needed to know that I can help the team win.
“Adrian has been helping me the whole way with my tips at first base and my approach at the plate. He’s been a great role model.”
Popp has stepped up to hit .449 with 31 runs, 13 doubles and 35 RBIs. St. Laurence coach Pete Lotus has certainly been impressed.
“At the beginning of the season, knowing ‘AP’ was back and Sean wasn’t starting, Sean could have cashed it in and not worked hard, but he’s one of the hardest workers,” Lotus said. “He’s just been tremendous for us.
“You always tell guys, ‘Stay ready, you never know when you’ll get your chance.’ He’s the perfect example of that.”
Days like Monday made the wait well worth it for Popp.
“There’s just the enjoyment of making that big play, getting that big hit,” he said. “You’ve got to live for that.”
