Rossa and Tingley Homer as Lincoln-Way Central Powers Past Sandburg 7-4

The Lincoln-Way Central varsity baseball team flexed its muscles at the plate Monday, using a pair of home runs and a relentless mid-game offensive surge to secure a 7-4 home conference victory over Sandburg.

Seniors Brady Rossa and Luke Tingley provided the primary fireworks for the hosts, anchoring a lineup that generated 11 hits on the afternoon. Rossa delivered a spectacular performance, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Tingley also left the yard in a crucial spot, launching a home run and driving in a team-high three runs to shift the momentum permanently in Lincoln-Way Central’s favor.

After two quiet innings to open the contest, Sandburg broke the ice with a run in the top of the third. The visitors’ lead was short-lived, however, as Lincoln-Way Central responded immediately. The hosts erupted for a three-run outburst in the bottom half of the frame to take a 3-1 advantage.

Sandburg cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the fourth, but the home squad once again had a swift answer. Lincoln-Way Central hung another three-spot on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning, extending its cushion to 6-2. The resilient Sandburg offense pushed two more runs across in the fifth to keep things interesting, but the hosts tacked on a final insurance run in the bottom half to cap the game’s scoring.

Beyond the power hitting of Rossa and Tingley, senior Conor McCabe turned in a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Junior Tyler Arnold also played a key role as a table-setter, collecting a hit and crossing the plate twice, while sophomore Des Gill contributed an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

On the mound, senior Owen Novak earned the victory after battling through 4.1 innings of work. Novak allowed three earned runs on eight hits, striking out two and walking four. When Sandburg threatened in the middle innings, senior Nolan Bartkus was called upon in relief and completely shut the door. Bartkus tossed 2.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball, striking out two batters and walking two to securely preserve the win.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• 3rd Inning

  • Sandburg: 1 run scored.

  • Lincoln-Way Central: 3 runs scored.

• 4th Inning

  • Sandburg: 1 run scored.

  • Lincoln-Way Central: 3 runs scored.

• 5th Inning

  • Sandburg: 2 runs scored.

  • Lincoln-Way Central: 1 run scored.

Individual Statistics

• BATTING:

  • Lincoln-Way Central: Brady Rossa 2-3, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R; Luke Tingley 1-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R; Conor McCabe 2-4, 1 2B, 1 R; Tyler Arnold 1-3, 2 R; C. Lovingfoss 1-2, 1 BB; Des Gill 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 SF.

  • Sandburg: (Stats not provided)

• PITCHING:

  • Lincoln-Way Central: Owen Novak (W) 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K; Nolan Bartkus 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.

  • Sandburg: (Stats not provided)