No catcher, no problem for Lincoln-Way West
Butler football recruit Scroggins takes over behind the plate for Lincoln-Way West
Harrison Scroggins was all set to enjoy his senior season in the outfield, but unforeseen circumstances left Lincoln-Way West scrambling to find a catcher.
Scroggins had not caught in high school but played the position on rare occasions over the summer with his travel baseball team. He also spent some time behind the plate when he was younger, so he stepped up.
“It feels like it’s kind of necessary to jump in as a leader,” Scroggins said. “When there’s no one else to do it, you have to do it yourself.
“The energy from the team really helps and keeps you from doubting yourself and you just have to do what you can for the team.”
Scroggins’ sacrifice has been huge for the Warriors (10-2-1).
“We had a couple situations come up where guys couldn’t play and we needed a catcher,” LincolnWay West coach Jake Zajc said. “Harrison was like, ‘Coach, I’ve got it.’ He’s back there now. He’s getting better every game. He’s been tough. He’s been beat up a lot.
“We owe a lot to him for getting back there for the team and doing a good job for us.”
While Scroggins has provided a steady presence at catcher, he’s also producing at a high level hitting in the middle of Lincoln-Way West’s lineup.
He has a .475 batting average with 13 RBIs, including five during a wild 21-14 win over Oak Forest on Saturday, when he went 4-for-5.
Meanwhile, he’s getting used to the hardscrabble life of being a catcher.
“The toughest thing is the consistency of catching every game,” Scroggins said. “The soreness gets to you. You just have to push through it.
“The signs the coaches give get kind of confusing, but once you get used to it, it gets pretty easy.”
Scroggins is a two-sport athlete who played linebacker for the Warriors and is committed to play football at Butler. He’s keeping his options open for baseball.
“I’m thinking about maybe walking on to the baseball team too, but I don’t know yet,” he said. “I love playing both sports and I couldn’t ask for anything better from my time at Lincoln-Way West.
“I love the camaraderie from football and baseball. They’re two different worlds, but they feel like they’re the same.”
Knowing this could be his last season of baseball, Scroggins hopes to enjoy every moment — even the ones that hurt.
“With the catching, it’s hard to not want the games to go fast, but I really want it to go slow,” he said. “The pain is worth it. I’d rather it go slow than fast.”
Bengal bats blazing: Oak Forest
(10-6) is averaging eight runs a game.
Senior outfielder/pitcher Tyler Gentile has been one of the Bengals’ biggest run producers, hitting .333 with four home runs and 19 RBIs.
“I just wait for my pitch to come, and when it comes, I swing,” Gentile said. “I’m staying aggressive at the plate.”
Ryan O’Farrell has three home runs and 15 RBIs, while Raymond Schoenbeck is hitting .400 with eight RBIs.
“From top to bottom, I think our lineup’s great,” Gentile said. “From the first hitter to the last, we’re all phenomenal and we can all hit the ball.”
Mustang magic: Evergreen Park coach Mark Smyth has seen his team continue to fight through some tough losses and offensive struggles.
“Our guys battle,” he said. “We just need to find ways to score runs.”
Evergreen Park (9-11) came through Saturday with a big 4-3 upset of Mount Carmel.
Down 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Mustangs scored twice, with Alejandro Munoz getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to end the game.
Jack Hughes had two RBIs, while Grady Elwood held the Caravan to two runs in 5 ⅓ innings.