Lincoln-Way East’s Ty Hudik felt renewed by getting a second chance.
After being removed earlier for a pinch hitter, Hudik didn’t worry. He didn’t question the rationale behind the move. The senior infielder decided to focus on what was still in front of him.
“No matter what, you always have to keep the train rolling and move guys along,” he said. “We have a solid team top to bottom. My job is just go and get on base so the next guy can get up.”
The next time? Hudik came back up and delivered.
He smashed an RBI single during a three-run seventh inning as the host Griffins rallied for an improbable 9-8 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over Lockport in Frankfort.
Senior outfielder Rocco Triolo delivered a walk-off RBI double in the seventh to cap the comeback for Lincoln-Way East (25-4, 12-2). Triolo, who also hit a solo homer, finished 4-for-5 with two runs.
Senior infielder Jack Schiek came through with two RBI doubles among three hits and scored twice for the Porters (22-8. 13-1). Senior outfielder Adam Kozak added two hits and three RBIs.
With the Griffins down 8-6 to start the bottom of the seventh, sophomore pitcher Keegan Crabtree led off with a double. Hudik’s one-out single brought Crabtree home and ignited the comeback.
“He was a big reason we won the game,” said Crabtree, who struck out four and scattered four hits and two walks in four innings. “I had to start it for my team. I trust him every time he comes up.
“He’s got a ton of power and he really hits the heck out of the ball.”
Hudik never flinched despite being removed for a pinch hitter his previous at-bat.
“He came back and showed some really good grit and toughness,” Lincoln-Way East coach John McCarthy said. “He hit a ball when we needed him to hit a ball. He’s been around us a ton.
“I’m just really happy for him. It’s not easy to hit the ball at that moment.”
Hudik also illustrated another crucial part of the game. The batting order is statistically random. What matters is what you do when your number is called, even if you’re batting ninth.
“It’s not demeaning or anything like that to hit in the bottom of the order,” Hudik said. “Batters one through nine have the same meaning. You have to get the job done.
“It’s not going to bring me down just because I’m not batting first or third.”
Hudik, a Maryville commit, is a left-handed hitter. It allows him to create opportunities.
“A lot of right-handed hitters are going to see the ball go away and I have the advantage of the ball coming into me,” he said. “I’m able to turn on the ball and just drop that barrel.”
A three-year varsity player, Hudik also has sharpened his skills through work and repetition.
“My sophomore season, I wasn’t an everyday starter, but I just came in and filled a role,” he said. “When I had an opportunity, I was able to get the job done.
“Now, these last two years, I’m being the one who others lean on.”
His sophomore year also overlapped with the final year of his older brother Matt, who’s now a standout outfielder playing at Illinois Wesleyan. Matt was Ty’s a big on him influence growing up.
The two brothers lived in Frankfort Square, playing football and basketball. Matt provided the outline for a path forward, but Ty developed perseverance, toughness and resilience all his own.
“I just wanted to do what he was doing,” Ty said. “Baseball has been my whole life, being with my brother. He broke records after records when he played here.
“I’m just trying to follow in his footsteps and live up to what he did.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
