Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez.

Crestwood – The second game of the Chicago High School Baseball Classic, hosted by Black Baseball Media on April 12, featured a showdown between the Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School Vikings (7–6) and the Lane Tech College Prep High School Champions — a matchup that turned into a pitching duel worth watching.

On the mound for the Vikings was junior Jack Kinsella, while the Champions sent out sophomore Charles Lust.

In the bottom of the first, Isaiah Martin stepped up to bat and hit a hopper to first. The defender had to choose whether to make the play at home — he did, but the throw came just a tad too late, and Tyler Trapp slid in safely.

Lane Tech took the early lead, 1–0.

The score remained unchanged until the top of the sixth. Kinsella had racked up six strikeouts before junior Jamir Scott came in for relief.

Lust, meanwhile, stayed on the mound for Lane Tech.

With two outs and runners on first and second, Homewood-Flossmoor’s number 27 hit a dribbler right up the middle, bringing in Arthur Stamps for the game-tying run.

But Lane Tech’s Miles Mazanowski stopped the bleeding, making a clutch catch in foul territory to end the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, HF’s defense stepped up big with three quick outs — two of them coming by way of strikeouts.

To close the inning, Lane Tech brought in Hunter Smith, who notched a strikeout. Alex Ziegler followed with a key play from third, and Trapp hauled in a pop fly for the third out.

Bottom of the seventh — Trapp came out swinging, ripping a double to start the inning. But HF wasn’t out of it yet.

Mateo Morales caught a pop fly, and Nick Calomino made a great play in left field. HF then intentionally walked a batter, followed by Mazanowski drawing a walk of his own.

With Trapp now on third and the batter facing a 2–2 count, with 2 outs, he took matters into his own hands — stealing home to seal the game.

FINAL: Lane Tech 2, Homewood-Flossmoor 1.

On the day senior second baseman Tyler Trapp recorded a triple, a double, a walk, two runs, and two stolen bases — including the game-winner — he was named the WCCN Player of the Game.

Sophomore pitcher Charles Lust pitched six innings, posted a 1.17 ERA, and tallied eight strikeouts.

For Homewood-Flossmoor, pitcher Jack Kinsella recorded six strikeouts, and junior Jamir Scott added four more.

Watch the news package on YouTube (linked below), Facebook or Instagram @ Will Cook County News.

Special thank you to Sam Williams (Black Baseball Media), Brandon Williams (Simeon head coach) and Romey Bracey (Kenwood head coach).

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