Lincoln-Way West’s Ian Hazelip didn’t win over his coach because of his power.
No, the junior designated hitter who bats in the cleanup spot won the admiration of coach Jake Zajc because of the way he approaches each at-bat.
Hazelip started the season on the bench and made some pinch-hit appearances but soon worked his way into the starting lineup for the Warriors.
“Whether he got a hit or not, he had quality at-bats, and those quality at-bats are the ones that pay off,” Zajc said of Hazelip. “When you make good contact, good things can happen.”
Good things happened in the first inning Tuesday afternoon as Hazelip hit his first varsity home run — a two-run shot — to help ignite the unbeaten Warriors to a 10-3 SouthWest Suburban Red victory over Andrew in New Lenox.
Hazelip went 3-for-4 to raise his batting average to .422 for Lincoln-Way West (21-0, 8-0). Kansas State recruit Conor Essenberg, who went 4-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, struck out 10 in four-plus innings to record the pitching win.
Loras commit Ben Shea also had two hits and pitched three innings for the Warriors, while Anthony Massa homered and scored three runs.
Jacob Miller led Andrew (16-7, 4-4) with two hits, including a two-run homer in the seventh. Nate Dudek allowed one run in 3 1/3 innings after the Thunderbolts trailed 9-0 after two innings.
With an eye-popping record, the Warriors realize that opposing teams are out to get them, but Hazelip’s blast highlighted a five-run first inning that got things started on the right note.
“It felt great,” Hazelip said of the homer. “I didn’t know if I got all of it or not. It ended up going out, and I just enjoyed the moment.”
The moment also had some humor in it.
Usually, when Lincoln-Way West players hit home runs, they are greeted in the front of the dugout and everyone jumps around and celebrates.
For his fist varsity homer, Hazelip tapped helmets with a few of his teammates at the plate and was ignored by the others until he got in the middle of the dugout. Then, the delayed jumping and yelling finally commenced.
As much fun as that moment was for him, Hazelip is not planning on swinging for the fences all that often. The approach he has been using so far has worked out just fine.
“I’m more of a guy who tries to stay on the barrel,” he said. “Stay level. Get the ball in play.
“Don’t change anything. Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t do too much.”
Essenburg also likes Hazelip’s mindset.
“He’s a super-competitive hitter,” Essenburg said. “He doesn’t make outs very often. He’s always on the barrel.”
Offensively, Essenburg was on the barrel four times as well. On the mound, with the exception of six walks, the junior left-hander had a day worth celebrating.
Essenburg said he struggled against the Thunderbolts last spring and wanted better results.
“Last year, I was off against them,” Essenburg said of facing Andrew. “I had no location. I didn’t hit well. I focused on it and wanted to be 100 times better than last year.”
Hazelip, meanwhile, is enjoying his first 21 games on the varsity.
“The start to the season is unbelievable and incredible,” he said. “So far, the energy has been there. The crowds have been there. It’s great.”
Hazelip has a passion for the game because he likes the challenge it brings.
“It’s nothing like any other sport,” he said. “It’s the only sport where failure is a major thing. You are not going to succeed 100% of the time. That’s a tough thing to deal with, especially at a young age.
“But I just look forward to the next at-bat.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
