Libertyville’s Carson Holmes has been through the grind.
As one of the top returnees for the defending Class 4A state champion Wildcats, the senior left fielder has a perspective that’s valuable for less experienced teammates.
Holmes embraces that responsibility.
“You want to be that guy when the time comes,” he said. “We’re going to run into some tough games later on. When things get tough, we’re going to have to rally, and we’ll talk to the guys and let them know I’ve got their back and everybody else has everybody’s back.
“That’s the motto. It’s going to battle.”
Batting third in the lineup, the 6-foot, 195-pound Holmes is often in the middle of that effort, and he reached base four times as top-seeded Libertyville defeated eighth-seeded Stevenson 13-3 in the Class 4A Hoffman Estates Regional championship game on Saturday.
Senior right-hander Chase Lockwood, an Illinois State recruit, pitched four scoreless innings for the Wildcats (26-10-1), who will play fourth-seeded Mundelein (22-10), another North Suburban Conference rival, in the Libertyville Sectional semifinals at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
The Wildcats scored nine runs in the third inning with the help of seven walks, three hit batters and an error. Holmes had the only hit, a two-run single.
“I saw a good pitch, swung and put a pretty good bat on it,” he said. “We made him throw pitches, and he couldn’t make the adjustment, and we did.
“Everybody stayed true to themselves, and nobody went selfish. That’s what I like about our team. If they’re willing to give them, you take a walk.”
Holmes, who also was hit by a pitch and walked twice against the Patriots (20-17), batted .500 in seven postseason games last season. That included a home run in the regional final on the same field.
“We’re hoping for Carson that lightning strikes again,” Libertyville coach Matt Thompson said. “He has a great swing, good hands. Hitting in the three hole is not easy. He’s been there the whole year, we’ve had confidence in him and we trust him.”
After three Division I recruits graduated, the Wildcats have built a different lineup around Holmes. He expects to reprise his role as an offensive catalyst.
“I go up there and bat for my team,” he said. “I don’t go up there for me. I go up there and see ball, hit ball.”
Holmes, who entered the playoffs with a .412 batting average last year, is hitting .276 with two home runs and 23 RBIs this season. But he remains self-confident.
“I’ve had some ups and downs and have had better years, but I know I’ve had to keep my head high and have that next-game mentality and next-pitch mentality and try to compete,” he said. “I had to fight through that a little bit.
“You want to do well. But at the end of the day, if the team wins and you don’t do well, I’m still happy. You can’t win as one.”
Of course, Holmes knows hitting isn’t his only job.
“He’s a big vocal leader, especially in the outfield,” Libertyville senior right fielder Jack Cenar said. “We’re always out there together, and you’ll always hear him communicating with us, helping direct us and making sure we’re making the right plays.
“He’s just a really good all-around player and is really important to the team.”
Holmes, who was also a two-way starter on the line for the Libertyville football team, is ready to deliver.
“Playing baseball is the best time of the year, without a doubt,” he said. “It’s really fun. This is the expectation here. Win regionals today, and now it’s giddyap and go for the next step.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
