Early Comeback, Six-Run Sixth Inning Propel Lincoln-Way Central Past York 13-3

NEW LENOX, Ill. — After surrendering three quick runs in the opening frame, the Lincoln-Way Central varsity baseball team completely flipped the script, scoring 13 unanswered runs to defeat visiting York 13-3 in a non-conference matchup shortened to six innings on Monday afternoon.

York capitalized on early opportunities to take an immediate 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, fueled by a two-run single from Mason Shorter and an RBI base hit from Will Bute. However, the Knights’ offense was unfazed, responding with a massive four-run outburst in the bottom half of the inning to instantly reclaim a 4-3 advantage. Lincoln-Way Central never trailed again.

Senior pitcher Will Kedzior settled in beautifully after the rocky first inning. Shaking off the early unearned runs, Kedzior blanked the Dukes over the next three frames. He ultimately earned the victory, allowing just two hits and one earned run over four innings of work while striking out six batters and working around four walks. Senior Noah Sloan was dominant in relief, slamming the door with two perfect, hitless innings and a strikeout to keep York’s offense entirely grounded.

With the pitching staff locked in, the Knights’ lineup methodically dismantled the York bullpen, pounding out 12 hits as a team. Senior Luke Tingley and sophomore Des Gill were the undisputed catalysts for the Lincoln-Way Central offense, identically turning in spectacular 3-for-4 performances. Both Tingley and Gill laced a double, drove in two runs, and crossed the plate twice to anchor the relentless attack.

Seniors Shawn Mowry and Conor McCabe also provided significant power for the hosts, each ripping a double and driving in a pair of runs. Senior Austin Welch added to the onslaught with a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Leading 4-3 entering the bottom of the second, Lincoln-Way Central tacked on two more runs to extend their cushion to 6-3. After adding a single insurance run in the fifth, the Knights put the game completely out of reach in the bottom of the sixth.

Batting around the order, Lincoln-Way Central erupted for six runs in the final frame, overwhelming the Dukes’ pitching staff to trigger the 10-run mercy rule and walk off with a decisive 13-3 victory.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• 1st Inning: York jumps out to a quick 3-0 lead. Lincoln-Way Central immediately answers with four runs in the bottom half to take a 4-3 advantage.

• 2nd Inning: Lincoln-Way Central tacks on a pair of runs to extend its lead to 6-3.

• 5th Inning: Lincoln-Way Central scratches across a single insurance run.

• 6th Inning: Lincoln-Way Central explodes for six runs, ending the game via the run rule.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: Luke Tingley (3-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R); Des Gill (3-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R); Austin Welch (2-4, 1 RBI, 2 R); Shawn Mowry (1-3, 1 2B, 2 RBI); Conor McCabe (1-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R); Dominic Milo (1-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB); C. Lovingfoss (1-3, 1 RBI); Tyler Arnold (1 R, 1 HBP); Daniel Houston (1 BB); Connor Kelch (1 BB, 1 HBP); Nico Bartkus (1 SB).

• York: Mason Shorter (1-3, 2 RBI, 1 R); Will Bute (1-3, 1 RBI); Chris Winton (1 R, 1 BB, 2 SB); Jack Hansmann (1 BB); Charlie Martin (1 BB); Evan Mendiola (1 BB).

PITCHING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: Will Kedzior (W, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K); Noah Sloan (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K).

• York: Will Kellam (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K); N. Patterson (1.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K); Matt Young (1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K); Anthony Massel (L, 0.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K).