When he first started high school at Sandburg — before he was talked into playing football and then blossomed into an all-state wide receiver — Charlie Snoreck was all about baseball.
Now that Snoreck is getting set to play college football at Concordia St. Paul, his baseball days are numbered. It’s time for the senior outfielder to make the most of what’s left.
“I’m trying to soak it in,” Snoreck said. “It’s one last ride, I guess you can say. I haven’t always put in all my time and effort into baseball because I was focused on football. But this year, I have nothing to lose, so I might as well leave it all out there.
“Just have fun with your boys and finish out your baseball career in a good way.”
Snoreck made sure Wednesday was a good day. He went 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, an RBI and a run to help the visiting Eagles earn a 7-4 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Lincoln-Way West in New Lenox.
AJ Macak hit a three-run homer and pitched the final two innings without allowing a run to record the save for Sandburg (11-6, 3-4). Ethan Neakarse threw three innings in relief, allowing one earned run on three hits and striking out four, to pick up the win.
Quinn Durkin and Prairie State recruit Alex Aguirre each added two of the Eagles’ 11 hits.
Illinois-Chicago commit Lucas Acevedo went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Notre Dame recruit Michael Pettit had an RBI double for the Warriors (12-4, 4-3). Kentucky recruit Conor Essenburg, Drury commit Anthony Vita and Carson Paulas reached base three times apiece.
Macak’s three-run blast in the second inning gave Sandburg a 5-0 lead.
“We came off the bus looking to score some runs early and put some scare in their bones,” Macak said. “We put up two in the first and then we just continued to roll and roll and roll.”
Snoreck, meanwhile, delivered an RBI single as part of a two-run first inning for the Eagles, who were in search of a spark after getting swept by Lincoln-Way Central in their last two-game conference series.
Snoreck has been playing baseball since he was 5 years old, but his high school athletic days played out differently than he initially expected.
“When I was a freshman, I was all baseball,” he said. “My friends convinced me to play football and I ended up loving it. Things jumped from there. I started becoming a good football player and, at the end of the day, I decided football was going to be the route to go.”
But there’s one more opportunity to shine on the baseball field. Snoreck, who mainly hit leadoff last season, has consistently been in the middle of the order this spring and was in the cleanup spot Wednesday.
“At the beginning of the year, it was definitely something to adjust to,” Snoreck said. “Usually when you hit first or second, they’re throwing you fastballs, not too many curveballs.
“I’m definitely seeing more curveballs now, though. It took me a few games to get adjusted and it’s kind of starting to click now.”
Sandburg coach Jim Morsovillo sees Snoreck locking in.
“He’s starting to get hot,” Morsovillo said. “He gives us senior leadership, a ton of experience having been up since midway through his freshman season, and he always gives us a competitive at-bat.”
Snoreck’s football career has made him ready for anything on the baseball field.
“There are times where I need a big hit in a big moment and I’ll be like, ‘Who cares? I’m going to get after it and get a hit right here,’” he said. “I think that’s what football has done for me.
“There’s nothing like those Friday night lights. You’re used to that pressure, so when you step out here, it kind of dies down a little bit.”
