Explosive Offense Powers Lincoln-Way West Baseball Past Shepard in 14-4 Run-Rule Victory

After spotting the visitors a two-run lead in the top of the first inning, the Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team unleashed a relentless offensive assault, pounding out 12 hits en route to a 14-4 run-rule victory over Shepard in Tuesday’s home non-conference matchup.

Shepard took advantage of early miscues to scratch across a pair of unearned runs against Lincoln-Way West starter Matt Oberts in the opening frame. However, the early 2-0 deficit merely awakened the hosts’ bats. Lincoln-Way West immediately answered with a four-run rally in the bottom of the first to take control, kicking off a streak of four consecutive innings with at least one run scored.

Jackson Mansker was the offensive catalyst for Lincoln-Way West, recording a perfect 3-for-3 afternoon at the plate while scoring twice. He was a constant nuisance on the basepaths as well, swiping a game-high three stolen bases. As a team, Lincoln-Way West utilized a hyper-aggressive approach on the bases, tallying seven steals to consistently position runners in scoring position. Quinten Lange added two steals while reaching base safely in all three of his plate appearances.

When they weren’t manufacturing runs with their legs, the hosts were driving the ball into the gaps. Five different Lincoln-Way West batters—Owen Weber, Carson Paulas, Max Silic, Conor Broders, and Owen Chudzinski—ripped doubles in the victory. Paulas finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Kaden Killeen maximized his opportunities, crossing the plate three times and driving in a pair of runs on one hit.

On the mound, a quartet of Lincoln-Way West pitchers combined to hold the Shepard offense to just three hits. Jacob Howard earned the victory after tossing two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out a team-high four batters. Kellen Schulte provided two crucial innings of scoreless relief, and Jake Carlson closed out the pitching duties with a flawless, hitless frame.

Leading 11-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lincoln-Way West offense mounted one final rally. The hosts pushed across three runs to reach the 10-run threshold, triggering the run rule and securing the decisive victory in walk-off fashion.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

(Note: Baseball is scored by innings)

Scoring Drives

• First Quarter (Inning)

  • Shepard: 2 Runs (Unearned)

  • Lincoln-Way West: 4 Runs

• Second Quarter (Inning)

  • Lincoln-Way West: 3 Runs

• Third Quarter (Inning)

  • Lincoln-Way West: 3 Runs

• Fourth Quarter (Inning)

  • Lincoln-Way West: 1 Run

• Fifth Quarter (Inning)

  • Shepard: 2 Runs

• Sixth Quarter (Inning)

  • Lincoln-Way West: 3 Runs

Individual Statistics

• PITCHING:

  • Lincoln-Way West: Jacob Howard (W) 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K; Kellen Schulte 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K; Matt Oberts 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K; Jake Carlson 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.

  • Shepard: Stats not reported.

• BATTING:

  • Lincoln-Way West: Jackson Mansker 3-3 (2 R, 3 SB); Carson Paulas 2-3 (2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI); Owen Weber 1-1 (1 2B, 1 BB); Quinten Lange 1-1 (1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB); Owen Chudzinski 1-1 (2 R, 1 2B, 1 BB); Max Silic 1-2 (1 R, 1 2B); Conor Broders 1-2 (1 2B); Kaden Killeen 1-2 (3 R, 2 RBI); Michael Pettit 1-2 (1 R, 1 SB); Jacob Howard 1-3 (1 R, 2 RBI); Peyton Globke 0-1 (1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SF).

  • Shepard: Stats not reported.

• FIELDING:

  • Lincoln-Way West: Owen Weber 7 PO; Kevin Thatcher 2 PO; Conor Broders 2 PO; Kellen Schulte 2 PO; Michael Pettit 1 PO; Jacob Howard 1 A. Team: 1 Error.

  • Shepard: Team: 2 Errors.