Lincoln-Way West Outlasts Bradley-Bourbonnais in 10-9 Slugfest

The Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team showcased its offensive resilience on Thursday, surviving a wild, back-and-forth shootout to defeat visiting Bradley-Bourbonnais 10-9 in conference play.

After trading the lead five times throughout the afternoon, the Warriors (25-26) ultimately secured the victory by pushing across the decisive run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The high-scoring affair featured heavy hitting from both dugouts, with the two teams combining for 19 runs and 21 hits in a game that tested the depth of both pitching staffs.

Trailing 6-5 entering the bottom of the fifth, Lincoln-Way West engineered a massive four-run rally to seemingly take control of the game with a 9-6 advantage. However, Bradley-Bourbonnais immediately answered with a three-run surge in the top of the sixth, knotting the score at 9-9. Unfazed, the Warriors found the clutch late-game execution needed to plate the game-winner in their half of the frame and seal the victory.

Michael Pettit was an unstoppable catalyst at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, three runs scored, and a pair of stolen bases. Jackson Mansker delivered in the clutch, driving in a team-high three runs while finishing 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Carson Paulas consistently flipped the lineup, providing two hits, drawing a walk, and scoring twice. Jacob Howard reached base three times, adding a hit, an RBI, two walks, and a stolen base to the winning effort.

On the mound, Lincoln-Way West utilized three arms to navigate the potent Bradley-Bourbonnais lineup. Starter Owen Chudzinski opened the game, allowing two runs (one earned) over 1.2 innings of work. Jackson Heinlen absorbed the bulk of the innings in relief, striking out three batters over 3.1 frames while surrendering five runs. Emmett Carlson earned the hard-fought victory, taking over late to toss two innings. Carlson allowed two runs (one earned) and critically shut down the visitors in the top of the seventh to preserve the one-run lead.

Despite committing three uncharacteristic errors that extended innings for the visitors, Lincoln-Way West’s relentless offensive pressure and timely hitting proved to be the difference in a thrilling conference battle.

Game Summary

Score by Innings

Scoring Drives

• 1st Inning:

  • Bradley-Bourbonnais: 1 run scored.

  • Lincoln-Way West: 1 run scored.

• 2nd Inning:

  • Bradley-Bourbonnais: 1 run scored.

• 3rd Inning:

  • Lincoln-Way West: 3 runs scored.

• 4th Inning:

  • Bradley-Bourbonnais: 3 runs scored.

  • Lincoln-Way West: 1 run scored.

• 5th Inning:

  • Bradley-Bourbonnais: 1 run scored.

  • Lincoln-Way West: 4 runs scored.

• 6th Inning:

  • Bradley-Bourbonnais: 3 runs scored.

  • Lincoln-Way West: 1 run scored.

Individual Statistics

LINCOLN-WAY WEST BATTING:

• Michael Pettit: 2-3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 SB

• Jackson Mansker: 2-3, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB

• Carson Paulas: 2-3, 2 R, 1 BB

• Jacob Howard: 1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SB

• Matt Oberts: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI

• Owen Weber: 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB

• Quinten Lange: 0-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB

• Peyton Globke: 0-3, 1 BB

• Kevin Thatcher: 0-3, 1 BB

• Kaden Killeen: 0-0, 1 R

• Team Totals: .333 AVG, 9 H, 10 R, 8 RBI, 3 2B, 9 BB, 3 SB, 7 K

LINCOLN-WAY WEST PITCHING:

• Owen Chudzinski: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

• Jackson Heinlen: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

• Emmett Carlson: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (W, 1-0)

BRADLEY-BOURBONNAIS TOTALS:

• Batting/Fielding: 9 R, 12 H, 1 Error