Lake Central Uses Big Fourth Inning to Hold Off Lincoln-Way Central 3-2

A critical three-run rally in the fourth inning proved to be the difference as the Lake Central varsity baseball team edged visiting non-conference opponent Lincoln-Way Central 3-2 on Saturday afternoon in St. John, Indiana.

The game was a tight, low-scoring affair defined by excellent pitching on both sides. Lake Central sophomore Josh Sautter tossed a complete game to earn the victory, scattering eight hits over seven innings while allowing just two runs—only one of which was earned. Despite not recording a single strikeout, Sautter relied on his defense, which turned a double play, to efficiently navigate the Knights’ lineup on just 84 pitches.

Lincoln-Way Central (25-26) out-hit Lake Central 8-6 in the contest and struck first on the scoreboard. After two scoreless innings, the Knights broke through in the top of the third. Senior Brady Rossa sparked the offense, finishing the day 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while sophomore Des Gill also provided two hits and scored a run. The Knights’ third-inning run gave them an early 1-0 advantage.

However, the momentum shifted in the bottom of the fourth. The Lake Central lineup, which had been held in check, erupted for three runs against the Knights’ pitching staff. Senior Keegan O’Bryan was the catalyst for the Lake Central offense all afternoon, recording three of his team’s six hits with a perfect 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Senior Victor Villegas, junior Connor Friesema, and junior Brayden Walls also added hits for the home team. Walls reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances, drawing two walks, getting hit by a pitch, and swiping a pair of stolen bases.

Following the fourth-inning surge, Lincoln-Way Central’s bullpen clamped down. Junior Patrick Mayhugh threw three scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and striking out four. Senior D. Lovingfoss was equally impressive, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings while surrendering just one hit and striking out four to keep the Knights within striking distance.

Lincoln-Way Central mounted a late rally in the top of the sixth inning, pushing across an unearned run to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Knights continually put the ball in play, striking out zero times in the game, but they were ultimately hindered by stranding eight runners on base. Sautter and the Lake Central defense held firm in the seventh to secure the one-run victory.

Game Summary

Score by Innings

Scoring Drives

• 3rd Inning: Lincoln-Way Central strikes first to take a 1-0 lead.

• 4th Inning: Lake Central rallies for three runs to take a 3-1 advantage.

• 6th Inning: Lincoln-Way Central scores an unearned run to trim the deficit to 3-2.

Individual Statistics

• LINCOLN-WAY CENTRAL BATTING: Brady Rossa (Sr) (2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI); Des Gill (So) (2-4, 1 R, 1 SB); Shawn Mowry (Sr) (1-3); Conor McCabe (Sr) (1-4); C. Lovingfoss (So) (2 HBP).

• LINCOLN-WAY CENTRAL PITCHING: Patrick Mayhugh (Jr) (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K); D. Lovingfoss (Sr) (2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K); Grady Flannigan (Sr) (0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K).

• LAKE CENTRAL BATTING: Keegan O’Bryan (Sr) (3-4); Victor Villegas (Sr) (1-2, 1 R, 1 BB); Connor Friesema (Jr) (1-3, 1 SB); Brayden Walls (Jr) (1-1, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 SB); Andrew Brower (Sr) (1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB).

• LAKE CENTRAL PITCHING: Josh Sautter (So) (7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K).