Lincoln-Way West Overcomes Wild Start, Blasts Past Stagg 21-11 in Six-Inning Slugfest

A chaotic, high-scoring shootout quickly turned into a commanding victory for the Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team on Wednesday, as the Warriors rode a massive nine-run third inning to a 21-11 run-rule victory over Stagg. What began as a dizzying exchange of double-digit runs over the first two frames ended with a dominant display of relief pitching and relentless offense by the home team.

The opening two innings resembled a home run derby more than a conference matchup. Stagg exploded out of the gate, putting up five runs in the top of the first. Lincoln-Way West immediately answered with five runs of their own in the bottom half. The visitors then doubled down in the second, plating six runs to take an 11-5 lead, only for the Warriors to storm back with a five-run response.

Trailing 11-10 entering the bottom of the third, Lincoln-Way West flipped the script permanently. The Warriors’ offense batted around, capitalizing on Stagg’s pitching woes and defensive miscues to erupt for nine runs, taking a 19-11 lead that completely demoralized the visitors.

Lincoln-Way West’s bats were explosive from top to bottom, hammering out 16 hits and taking advantage of five Stagg errors. Jackson Mansker was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored, four RBIs, and a double. Michael Pettit provided the power, smashing a home run and driving in four runs on a two-hit day while crossing the plate four times. Jacob Howard also left the yard with a home run, finishing with three RBIs, while Max Silic blasted a triple and drove in three.

While the offense put on a clinic, it was the relief pitching of Owen Chudzinski that truly secured the victory. Entering the game after a tumultuous start from the Warriors’ staff, Chudzinski was a revelation. He completely shut down Stagg’s previously scorching lineup, throwing three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, and striking out three batters to earn the win. His stabilizing presence allowed Lincoln-Way West to turn a shootout into a blowout.

Unlike Stagg, who committed five fielding errors on the day, the Warriors’ defense played flawless, error-free baseball behind their pitchers.

Lincoln-Way West added a single run in the fourth inning and pushed across the game-ending run in the bottom of the sixth to trigger the 10-run mercy rule, sealing the 21-11 conference win.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Note: Table reflects innings 1-6 as baseball is played in innings rather than quarters.

Scoring Drives

• Quarter 1 (1st Inning): Stagg opens the game with a 5-run explosion; Lincoln-Way West answers with 5 runs to tie.

• Quarter 2 (2nd Inning): Stagg plates 6 runs to retake the lead; Lincoln-Way West responds with 5 runs.

• Quarter 3 (3rd Inning): Stagg is held scoreless for the first time; Lincoln-Way West takes over the game with a massive 9-run rally.

• Quarter 4 (4th Inning): Lincoln-Way West extends its lead with 1 run.

• Quarter 5 (5th Inning): Both teams held scoreless.

• Quarter 6 (6th Inning): Stagg remains scoreless; Lincoln-Way West pushes across 1 run to enact the mercy rule and end the game.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Stagg: Team Totals: 9 Hits, 11 Runs. (Note: Individual player statistics for Stagg were not provided).

• Lincoln-Way West: Jackson Mansker 4-4, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 2B; Michael Pettit 2-4, 4 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR; Max Silic 2-2, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 3B; Quinten Lange 2-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 2B; Carson Paulas 2-4, 3 R; Jacob Howard 1-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR; Luke Stoner 1-3, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 2B; Owen Weber 0-2, 1 RBI; John Juarez 1-1, 1 R, 1 RBI; Kevin Thatcher 1 RBI.

PITCHING:

• Stagg: (Note: Individual pitching statistics for Stagg were not provided).

• Lincoln-Way West: Jacob Howard 1.2 IP, 5 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 BB, 2 K; Luke Gouty 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K; Owen Chudzinski (W) 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

BASERUNNING (STEALS):

• Stagg: (Note: Individual baserunning statistics for Stagg were not provided).

• Lincoln-Way West: Matt Oberts 1, Carson Paulas 1, Quinten Lange 1.