You could understand if Lincoln-Way Central’s Liam Arsich was a bit tired Wednesday night.
The Toledo-bound senior outfielder did a lot of sprinting around the bases, after all. Three triples worth, to be exact.
“That’s the most running I’ve probably ever done in a game, to be honest with you,” Arsich said. “I’ve never done that before. I was seeing the ball well, and I just tried to stick with my approach and drive it the other way.
“I wasn’t going for three triples, but it just happened.”
Arsich scored after all three triples, too. He also drove in a run, sparking the Knights to a 5-0 win over T.F. South in a Class 4A Andrew Regional semifinal in Tinley Park.
Conor McCabe had a double, two RBIs and a run and Cade Andrews added an RBI double for fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (20-10), which will play at 11 a.m. Saturday in the regional final against the winner of Thursday’s semifinal between Andrew (24-11) and Shepard (13-16-2).
Alex Panos struck out 10 in five shutout innings to earn the win, allowing four hits and two walks.
“I was trying to feel my stuff out early, attack guys and stay ahead in counts,” Panos said. “I wanted to let them hit it and just rely on my teammates.”
Blake Sims singled and drew a walk for 13th-seeded T.F. South (13-21-2). Juan Lozano, Abraham Serna and Kyle Smith each contributed a single.
Arsich, meanwhile, tripled in each of his first three at-bats, starting in the first inning when he scored on an error to give the Knights a quick lead.
He was ready to set the tone to begin his final postseason as a Knight.
“It’s sad knowing I’m coming down to my last games of high school,” Arsich said. “But I think we’re locked in as a team and we can make a deep run in the playoffs.”
Panos had a blast watching Arsich run around the bases. And he certainly appreciated the support.
“It was great,” Panos said. “It’s insane. I’ve never seen anything like that. When you’re pitching and your hitters help you out, it’s the best feeling. It relieved a lot of the pressure off me.”
Arsich is hitting .358 with 33 runs, 12 stolen bases and 10 RBIs. He’s also played a big role as a pitcher, compiling three saves and a 2.04 ERA in 24 innings.
Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt knows he can count on Arsich.
“Liam’s been awesome for us all year, both at the plate and on the mound,” Kutt said. “He’s a guy who we’ve leaned on in certain situations like (Wednesday) where we’re looking for an at-bat to break it open.
“He did that for us. He gave us some breathing room. He’s a senior trying to lead by example with his actions and with the way he carries himself on the field.”
The Knights led 2-0, with Arsich scoring both runs, before pulling away with three runs in the fifth inning. Arsich’s third triple highlighted the outburst.
Arsich has been committed to Toledo since before the start of his junior season, fulfilling a goal to play Division I baseball that he said he’s had his whole life.
“The pressure’s been off me,” Arsich said. “I don’t have to think about college. I can just go out there and play, have fun with my friends and try to make a big run with these guys my last time around.”
Whatever the results are, Arsich is going to be sure to savor his final moments with the Knights.
“I’ve got some of my best friends out here and playing with them makes my life,” he said. “We’re a big family and I love this sport.”
