As a sophomore in 2023, Tadgh Callaghan played a big role on the pitching staff for Brother Rice’s Class 4A state runner-up baseball team. He figured to be one of the team’s aces last season.
An injury derailed those plans as Callaghan suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament last January and missed the entire 2024 season.
Now, he’s back and ready to make the most of his senior year.
“The worst part was just not being out there on the field with my boys,” Callaghan said. “Every day last year, I just wanted to go be in batting practice and be able to throw the ball around.
“I think that’s why I want this so bad this year.”
Callaghan came through on senior day Friday. The St. Xavier recruit allowed just one earned run on one hit over 4 1/3 innings as the host Crusaders squeaked out a 2-1 win over Evergreen Park.
Anthony Cartolano went 2-for-2, scored a run and delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the fifth inning for Brother Rice (19-1), which extended its winning streak to 18. JD Maloney earned the win on the mound, striking out two and allowing one hit in two-thirds of an inning.
Illinois State recruit Jackson Natanek contributed an RBI single, then pitched the final two innings for the save. He struck out four and surrendered just one hit.
“My mentality is to strike every single guy out,” Natanek said. “Have that killer closer mentality and let them know right away, ‘I’m better than you.’ So you’ve already lost before I even throw it.”
Evan Snyder-Murphy threw four stellar innings in relief for Evergreen Park (15-6), allowing one earned run on one hit and one walk and striking out two. Starter Michael Rodriguez, a South Suburban College commit, surrendered one run on three hits in two innings.
Lewis recruit Rowan Smyth had a single, three walks and a run, while Noah Munoz provided an RBI single.
Callaghan, meanwhile, issued five walks and hit a batter, but he made big pitches when he needed to. That’s what Brother Rice coach Sean McBride expects from the senior right-hander.
“It was great to see him out there,” McBride said. “He’s had some moments this year, and I think he’s still trying to find his way back. He had some free passes, but he’s a tough kid and he knows how to fight out of those situations.”
Callaghan said he was close to being cleared to pitch again when the Crusaders had their 2024 season end with a sectional semifinal loss to Mount Carmel.
That was heartbreaking.
“I was so close to coming back so it was tough,” he said. “I ended up pitching a week or two after we lost. Now when I pitch, I’m just trying to prove what I could have done for them.”
Natanek is thrilled to have Callaghan back to enhance the pitching staff. Callaghan has been working out of the bullpen often to set up Natanek in his closer’s role.
“It’s really good,” Natanek said. “He’s a big leader for us. The state (runner-up) team our sophomore year, he was a huge part of that. It’s huge having him back on the mound for us.”
On a day with little offense, Cartolano provided the biggest spark.
Cartolano legged out an infield single and scored on Natanek’s base hit in the first inning, bunted for a single in the third and came through with the key sacrifice fly in the fifth.
“Just small ball,” Cartolano said. “I’m not a big dude. I don’t hit home runs, but I can hit singles and doubles, use my speed.”
That helped make it a memorable senior day for Callaghan.
“It was awesome,” Callaghan said. “It’s so great to be back out here and we’ve got such a good group this year. I get to do this with some of my best friends.”
