Latest news with #Benet
Chicago Tribune
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Luke Wildes returns less than 6 months after ACL surgery. For Benet, which is ‘more than just a team' to him.
Everyone would have understood if Benet senior Luke Wildes had decided to skip this baseball season. The second-leading receiver on the football team, Wildes suffered a torn ACL in the regular-season finale and had surgery on Nov. 12, meaning it was highly unlikely he could recover in time. But there was a catch, as there often is with Wildes. He wasn't ready to say goodbye. 'That's all I wanted to do, focus on my knee and nothing else,' he said. 'That became my life, just trying to get back on the field and help this team out.' But why rush back instead of taking some time to prepare for his baseball career at St. Johns River State College in Florida? 'It was more than just a team,' Wildes said of the Redwings. 'It was a family, and I wanted to put them in the best spot possible by getting myself as healthy as I can before the season started.' Wildes missed the first 13 games this season before making his debut as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of a game against Marist on April 21, less than 5 ½ months after his surgery. His return stunned teammates like sophomore first baseman Quinn Rooney. 'It's just amazing he was able to come back,' Rooney said. 'We didn't even think he was going to play, but he just kept going and actually got a starting spot and probably was one of the biggest contributors we have.' Indeed, Wildes batted .338 with a home run, 16 RBIs and 17 runs scored in 25 games. He also pitched in four games, recording a 1.75 ERA with nine strikeouts over four innings. Wildes capped his high school career by going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored during Benet's 8-5 loss to St. Laurence in the Class 3A state championship game in Joliet on Saturday. He also made three excellent catches in right field, including a sliding effort in foul territory, during a four-batter span bridging the fifth and sixth innings. 'The fact that he was out here is a miracle and just kind of shows his dedication, his work ethic, his love for his teammates, our coaches and our program,' Benet co-coach Jorge Acosta said. 'He had no business being out here this season and just worked his tail off all winter long and got back.' Wildes was limited at first. He wasn't allowed to run the bases, wear cleats or play when the grass was wet. By the end of the season, Wildes was doing all those things. Then he tweaked his shoulder while throwing a runner out at the plate during Benet's 6-3 victory over Washington in the Geneseo Supersectional. 'He hasn't really been able to throw since,' Acosta said. 'So we just kind of told him, 'Hey, man, take it easy and don't throw unless you actually need to.' 'Then he uncorked a couple of really good throws today, and it was massive. He battled for us.' The Redwings (27-13) battled the favored Vikings (37-5) by rallying from deficits of 2-0 and 5-2. Rooney's home run highlighted a two-run fourth inning, and senior center fielder Josh Gugora's RBI double scored senior third baseman Merrick Sullivan to tie it at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth. But after Wildes made a basket catch to record the first out of the sixth, St. Laurence took the lead on an RBI double by Daniel Coyle, who pitched the final three innings to get the victory, and then added two more runs in the seventh. Wildes singled sharply to right with two out and nobody on base in the seventh to keep the Redwings alive. 'Next man up,' he said. 'That's what was going through my head.' Coyle retired Gugora on a grounder to short to clinch St. Laurence's first state title. But the Redwings walked away with their first state trophy. 'It's a dream come true,' Wildes said. 'Every little kid from the moment they start playing baseball, they want to go to the state championship and win a trophy. That's what we did today.' What will Wildes do next? After watching his inspiring return from injury, Acosta won't put limits on him. 'He's got a huge future ahead of him,' Acosta said. 'Luke is just a physical specimen and … it's going to be really, really fun to watch him wherever he ends up in terms of after junior college.' Wildes has big dreams. 'I want to play in the show,' he said. 'It's always been a goal for me.'
Chicago Tribune
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
For Benet's Nathan Cerocke, neither precipitation nor Cary-Grove can rain on hit parade in state semifinals
Junior second baseman Nathan Cerocke went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored as Benet defeated Cary-Grove in the Class 3A state semifinals on Friday. Rain fell early in the game at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet, but that didn't slow down Cerocke. As the leadoff hitter, he kick-started the Redwings, who scored a run in the first inning, four runs in the third, one run in the sixth and five runs in the decisive seventh. He was involved in the scoring in three of those four frames. Cerocke also turned a double play that got Benet out of trouble in the sixth after Cary-Grove tied the game at 6-6. Junior pitcher Lucas Kohlmeyer got the win in relief for the Redwings (27-12), who will play St. Laurence (36-5) in the state championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Chicago Tribune
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Forget pitch clocks. Jonny Rossi works fast for state-bound Benet. ‘I do kind of mess with people.' And win.
Benet senior Jonny Rossi pitches like a guy who has somewhere to go. In the process, he has helped take the Redwings to a place they've never been. 'I work a little bit different than everyone else,' Rossi said. 'I work fast, so I do kind of mess with people. I like to do that. It's kind of my thing. 'It wasn't always that, but I kind of embraced it and use it to my effectiveness.' Rossi doesn't let any moss grow when he's on the mound. The Webster commit wastes no time between pitches, much to the delight of his teammates and fans. 'I've always liked when Jonny pitches just because he's always working quick,' Benet senior infielder Merrick Sullivan said. 'When he's on his game, it's 1-2-3, and we're right back in the dugout. 'I'm a big fan of him working quick. Most of the time it works for him, so I love it.' There has been a lot to love about Rossi's performance for the Redwings (26-12), who have advanced to the state semifinals for the first time and will play Cary-Grove (25-12) in Class 3A at the Joliet Slammers' Duly Health and Care Field at 1 p.m. Friday. An All-East Suburban Catholic Conference pick, Rossi is 6-0 with one save and has a 2.20 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings. 'We talk with a lot of our pitchers about getting into a rhythm, a nice pace, which Jonny does,' Benet co-coach Jorge Acosta said. 'He sometimes goes a little too fast, so he's probably the one where sometimes we have to tell him to slow down a little bit, like. 'Hey, man, let's breathe through two pitches.' 'But when he gets in a good rhythm, he works fast, infielders stay in it, our dugout stays in it. I think it's to his advantage because he's able to throw multiple pitches and keep you off balance.' On Monday, Rossi did exactly that. He allowed only one run over 5 1/3 innings in Benet's 6-3 victory over Washington in the Geneseo Supersectional. 'It was super fun,' Rossi said. 'I really enjoy playing in big games with a lot of people there. 'Obviously, we had never won that game before, so it was a cool chance to make history, and we came through.' Rossi pitched at his customary pace against Washington, although he was oblivious at times to the effect. 'One of the pitches I threw was a flyout to right,' he said. 'Our first baseman, Quinn, was like, 'I was turned around.' 'Most of the time I don't even realize that. I'm so go-go-go, sometimes the fielders are a little off balance. But it's fun. I think they sort of embrace it too.' Slow pitchers can cause fielders to lose focus, but that's rarely the case when Rossi pitches. 'When I'm in the field, I feel confident when he's on the mound,' Sullivan said. 'I'm always ready for a ball, but I'm confident that he's going to get a lot of weak contact and a lot of bloops in the air. 'He's been a great leader all throughout the year. He's been tough as nails, so I'm loving it.' Rossi, in turn, is grateful for his defense. He can throw three pitches for strikes, including the change-up, which is his favorite. 'I don't throw 90 to 95 (mph),' he said. 'I'm not going to strike out 15 a game or something crazy. So I just rely on my fielders, and they do an awesome job. Merrick made some awesome plays at third.' Rossi has been Benet's No. 3 starter this season but would be a No. 1 or No. 2 on many teams, according to Acosta. The Redwings have two Division I recruits: senior left-hander Jake Rifenburg, a Northwestern commit slated to start Friday, and senior right-hander Gino Zagorac, a Wichita State commit. 'It's been a good setup for us,' Acosta said. 'He has accepted his role, which helps. A lot of times it's hard for kids to kind of buy into that, but these guys are all really good friends. 'He's a kid that we have ultimate confidence in regardless if it's a bullpen or a start.' The Redwings are two wins away from the ultimate prize, their first state title. 'It would be awesome,' Rossi said. 'We sort of knew coming into this year that we had a chance. 'We had our rough patches. We kept working, and we're making a run.'
Chicago Tribune
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Benet's Josh Gugora likes high stakes. ‘I always want to have that chance.' With history to make, he delivers.
Benet's Josh Gugora was ready to take his team to an unprecedented place. The senior center fielder stepped into the moment with self-belief and full awareness of the stakes. 'I'm always confident in myself and in any of those situations,' Gugora said. 'I always want to have that chance, either at the plate or in the outfield. If they want me to deliver, I'll do my best.' Gugora delivered on Monday night, that's for sure. His two-run double in the first inning of the Class 3A Geneseo Supersectional sparked a four-run frame, propelling the Redwings to an historic 6-3 victory over Washington. Sophomore first baseman Quinn Rooney went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Benet (26-12), which will make its first appearance in the state semifinals against Cary-Grove (20-12) at Slammers Stadium in Joliet at 1 p.m. Friday. Senior pitcher Jonathon Rossi scattered six hits and a walk while striking out three in 5 1/3 innings to get the win. Gugora, an Illinois Wesleyan commit who went 1-for-3 and also scored a run against Washington (28-10), got it started. 'I got down 0-2 in the count, and I really just wanted to put the ball in play,' he said. 'I waited for the right pitch. It was a curveball, a high pitch, and I just put a barrel on it.' The moment reverberated for the Redwings. 'That team came in cocky before the game and talked a lot after Josh's double,' Benet senior outfielder Luke Wildes said. 'They didn't really say anything the rest of the game. 'Josh is just a great young player. He's so smart and confident, and mentally he never lets anything in center field or the plate get to him.' Senior third baseman Merrick Sullivan agreed that Gugora's hit was important. 'That just really set the tone,' Sullivan said. 'They quieted down, and it just elevated everybody. 'That moment just showed how much he has worked. He's always positive. He might go 0-3 or 3-3. You never know because he's a great leader.' That moment was particularly gratifying for Gugora, who missed part of his junior season with a broken finger. 'I played a decent amount last year, but going into this year, I felt like I had to take a bigger step,' he said. 'I had to be a leader, understand my role and build the confidence of everybody on the team.' During the offseason, Gugora worked to get stronger, faster and more agile. He also played a lot of golf. Like baseball, golf can be mentally demanding. 'They both get really tough out there,' Gugora said. 'You just have to breathe and learn how to trust yourself. In the end, you know you are the only one in control of everything, and you just go for it.' Like the Redwings have done. Despite their fourth-place finish in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, Gugora said he and his teammates knew this kind of success was possible. 'Going back to my earliest days, as a freshman or sophomore, it was always our dream to get to state,' he said. 'We had some tough losses but competitive games in our conference, and that just brought everybody together.' Gugora said the Redwings didn't feel weighed down by the past. 'We're already one of the best Benet baseball teams ever,' he said. 'It's a dream come true for me. That double, that's as big a moment as I've ever had.'
Chicago Tribune
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
A sacrifice fly? Think again, Quinn Rooney. ‘It just kept going.' He makes sure Benet keeps going too.
Benet sophomore first baseman Quinn Rooney put his head down and ran hard after hitting the towering fly ball to right field. It wasn't until he got to second base that he realized what he had done. Kaneland junior right fielder Carter Grabowski drifted back and got ready to catch what everyone figured would be a sacrifice fly. Then he signaled that he couldn't find the ball. That's because it was gone for a tie-breaking three-run home run. 'I actually didn't think it was a home run,' Rooney said. 'I thought it was like a sac fly to the right fielder. But as I was rounding second, I saw the home plate umpire point like that, and I just got really excited.' So did Rooney's teammates, who mobbed him after he crossed home plate with what turned out to be the decisive run in Benet's 5-4 victory in the Class 3A Kaneland Regional championship game. Rooney's first home run of the season, coming in the fifth inning, capped a five-run rally by the second-seeded Redwings (23-12), who advance to the Kaneland Sectional semifinals to play top-seeded Burlington Central at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Third-seeded Kaneland (25-11) led 2-0 when junior second baseman Nathan Cerocke and senior third baseman Merrick Sullivan led off the inning with singles for Benet. Senior right fielder Luke Wildes walked to load the bases for senior center fielder Josh Gugora, who hit a slow tapper to third. An errant throw home allowed two runs to score. Rooney followed with his decisive swing. 'Off the bat, I was excited because, all right, at least that's one, you know, if it was a sac fly,' Benet co-coach Jorge Acosta said. 'He caught enough to backspin it, and it just kept going and got out of here. It was awesome, a good moment for him.' Rooney has had many good moments this season. The Redwings originally planned to use him as a pitcher, but he impressed so much at first base during the preseason that he earned the starting spot there. 'He's been one of our biggest clutch hitters all year long,' Acosta said. 'I think this is his fourth or fifth game-winning hit. 'He had a couple walk-off hits back-to-back days against Naperville North and Carmel. He's very calm in big spots and keeps things simple. He just finds a barrel, and good things happen.' Not much good was happening in this game for the Redwings, who had mustered only two singles off Kaneland junior pitcher Hayden Foster through the first four innings. But Foster's day was done after Rooney's homer. 'I just had to stay relaxed just like any other at-bat,' Rooney said. 'You can't tense up in those tough moments but just got to show up for your team.' The Redwings know they can rely on Rooney to do so. 'He's been huge all year coming through in big spots,' Benet senior pitcher Gino Zagorac said. 'As a sophomore especially, it's tough. 'There's a lot of pressure on you, but he's thrived through all the pressure, and he's came up in big spots for us a lot throughout the year. You've got to give a lot of credit to him for staying composed.' Zagorac (3-2), a Wichita State recruit, stayed composed despite some struggles with command. He walked four and hit a batter but allowed only two hits and struck out six, leaving after issuing a leadoff walk in the sixth. 'It was tough in the beginning trying to find my all my pitches, and then as the game went on, I was able to throw three pitches in the zone for strikes,' Zagorac said. 'That helped me keep them off balance and battle through even though I didn't have my best stuff.' Benet junior Lucas Kohlmeyer pitched two innings to get the save. Rooney helped him by making a diving catch for the first out of the seventh inning and then grabbed a grounder and tossed the ball to Kohlmeyer for the second out. Northwestern-bound senior Jake Rifenburg is scheduled to pitch for Benet on Wednesday. Zagorac said 'the entire school' has confidence in Rifenburg, while Rooney said the Redwings have confidence in themselves. 'We've been battling all year, but we just got to keep going,' Rooney said. 'We're just going to keep winning games, eventually getting to state. That's the goal.'
