Tingley’s Perfect 5-for-5 Day, Shutdown Bullpen Rally Lincoln-Way Central Past Joliet Catholic 13-6

NEW LENOX, Ill. — Facing an early five-run deficit, the Lincoln-Way Central varsity baseball team mounted a spectacular comeback on Wednesday afternoon, scoring 12 unanswered runs to defeat visiting Joliet Catholic 13-6 in a non-conference clash.

Joliet Catholic jumped on the Knights immediately, hanging three runs in the top of the first inning and three more in the second to build a commanding 6-1 advantage. However, the Lincoln-Way Central bullpen completely flipped the script.

Senior Will Kedzior and junior Tyler Arnold took over on the mound and slammed the door, combining for six brilliant shutout innings of relief. Kedzior stabilized the game, allowing just two hits and striking out three over his three innings of work. Arnold was nearly perfect in his three frames, yielding a single hit and striking out one to completely neutralize the Joliet Catholic bats.

With the pitching locked in, the Knights’ offense went to work dismantling the deficit. Senior Luke Tingley was an absolute force at the plate, turning in a flawless 5-for-5 performance. Tingley drove in three runs and scored twice to anchor a relentless 16-hit Lincoln-Way Central attack.

The dramatic turnaround began in the bottom of the second inning. Trailing 6-1, the Knights erupted for five runs to immediately erase the gap and tie the game at 6-6. Lincoln-Way Central maintained that momentum into the bottom of the third, pushing three more runs across to take the lead for good.

Senior Austin Welch matched Tingley’s run production, delivering a massive 3-for-5 day at the plate with a double and three RBIs. Senior Conor McCabe added a pair of hits, two runs scored, and an RBI, while sophomore Des Gill collected two hits and drove in a run. Senior David Schultz consistently applied pressure on the basepaths, drawing a walk, getting hit by a pitch, scoring twice, and swiping a pair of bases.

The Knights tacked on three insurance runs in the fifth inning and one final tally in the sixth to pull away comfortably. By pairing a lockdown relief effort with an explosive top-to-bottom offensive showing, Lincoln-Way Central secured the 13-6 victory in decisive fashion.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• 1st Inning: Joliet Catholic opens the game with three runs; Lincoln-Way Central answers with a single run in the bottom half.

• 2nd Inning: Joliet Catholic extends its lead to 6-1. Lincoln-Way Central responds with a massive five-run outburst to tie the game at 6-6.

• 3rd Inning: Lincoln-Way Central scores three runs to take its first lead of the day, 9-6.

• 5th Inning: Lincoln-Way Central adds three insurance runs to widen the gap.

• 6th Inning: Lincoln-Way Central caps the scoring with one final run to secure the 13-6 win.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: Luke Tingley (5-5, 3 RBI, 2 R); Austin Welch (3-5, 1 2B, 3 RBI); Conor McCabe (2-4, 1 RBI, 2 R); Des Gill (2-4, 1 RBI); C. Lovingfoss (1-2, 2 R, 2 BB); Connor Kelch (1-4, 1 R); Shawn Mowry (1-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB); Brady Rossa (1-1, 1 2B); David Schultz (2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 SB); Nico Bartkus (1 R, 1 SB).

• Joliet Catholic: Statistics not provided (8 Team Hits).

PITCHING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: Will Kedzior (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K); Tyler Arnold (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K); Noah Sloan (1.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K).

• Joliet Catholic: Statistics not provided.