Peyton Panozzo is proving to be a three-way threat while trying to lead St. Rita to a Catholic League Blue championship.
The junior shortstop and leadoff hitter has shown his value on offense and defense. And once in a while, Panozzo even gets to show off his pitching skills on the mound.
“He’s a baseball player, and that’s the best compliment you can give anybody,” Mustangs coach John Nee said. “Baseball people know what that term means, and that’s what he is.
“He’s a gym rat and just plays with great energy. He’s done a great job as our shortstop and our leadoff hitter and on the mound all year long.”
Panozzo put all of those skills on display Saturday in a crucial league game, helping St. Rita take down Providence 6-4 at Tom Dedin Field in New Lenox.
After hitting a two-run double in a five-run second inning for the Mustangs (20-8, 10-3), Panozzo made a huge catch of a line drive and turned it into a double play in the sixth. He retired the side in order in the seventh.
Oklahoma State recruit Sir Jamison Jones also doubled and drove in a run, while Maryville-bound Baker Shelhamer doubled in a run. Chris McGrath pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs.
Nate O’Donnell hit a two-run homer in the sixth for the Celtics (20-6, 10-3), who honored their 2014 Class 4A state championship team before the game.
Afterward, St. Rita, Providence and St. Laurence were tied for first in the league, each with a 10-3 record and one game remaining.
Panozzo, meanwhile, is relishing his role in the leadoff spot. Even though he’s only hitting .288, his on-base percentage is .510 thanks to 28 walks and getting hit by five pitches.
“I love to set the tone,” Panozzo said. “How I do in the first inning with my first at-bat is how the rest of the game is going to go. You have to set the tone somehow. I want to be that guy to set the tone.”
But in a twist of fate, it was how Panozzo ended a game in mid-April that kept St. Rita in the race.
After the Mustangs were no-hit on April 16 by St. Laurence, he had a walk-off single on April 18 to beat the Vikings 1-0 in eight innings. The Mustangs have gone 8-1 in their next nine games.
“Man, he is a competitor,” Jones said of Panozzo. “You look at him and he’s not the biggest kid, but he’s going to give you his ‘A’ game every day.
“He’s had a little injury, but he plays through it. He’s grinding and grinding. He’s an everyday grinder.”
The 5-foot-7 Panozzo has offers from St. Xavier, South Suburban and Morton, while Milwaukee has been taking a serious look at him.
Nee thinks more colleges will eventually come on board seeking Panozzo’s services.
“He’s a guy you have to see to fall in love with,” Nee said. “He doesn’t have any real ‘plus’ tools. But he’s a guy you learn to love every day by seeing him every day. That’s how we feel about him.”
Panozzo said his father, Mark, and grandfather, Dennis, played baseball on the high school and college levels. Peyton inherited his love of the game from them.
Why does Panozzo appreciate baseball? Because usually, there’s a next time to redeem yourself if you make out or commit an error.
“It’s not only about one thing,” he said. “You are going to get another at-bat if you strike out. You have to forget about stuff. I love that you get a chance to keep doing what you are doing.
“Nothing is permanent. Hall of Famers have three hits every 10 at-bats.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
