Baseball: Battle of L-Way is West Side Story

Touching All the Bases: Lincoln-Way Central received a two-run double from Greg Wymer and a bloop RBI single from Rick Amaya to tie the score at 4-4 in the third inning. While it appeared that a back-and-forth contest would ensue, the Warriors responded by sending 13 men to the plate and scoring nine runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 13-4 lead. The Knights never responded, scoring just a single run in the final four innings. And West claimed a 14-5 victory.

Patch’s MVP: On a day where his team backed him with plenty of offensive support, Lincoln-Way West starting pitcher Matt Bishop labored through an outing where he didn't have his best command. Bishop walked four men and hit two batters while surrendering five runs to pick up the victory. The Knights had a chance to get back in the game against Bishop and the Warriors in the fifth, but Bishop induced a popout and flyout to get out of a bases loaded jam while only allowing a single run.

Lincoln-Way West Leaders: Leadoff man Dan Fifer went 3-for-4 with two runs, catcher John Keefe was 2-for-2 with a pair of triples and walks, Luke Morgan tripled in three runs, Tyler Kopp was 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs, Travis Wysong went 3-for-3 with a walk, double and two RBIs and Luke Andrade went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Lincoln-Way Central Leaders: Tyler Gellinger tripled and walked 3 times and Greg Wymer belted a two-run double.

Quotable I: Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc on preparation for playing a fellow New Lenox school. "On the way over, we talked about having a mindset and visualizing what you are going to do coming off the bus, and we've struggled with that. We've just got to keep harping and have to lead them and guide them, (teach them) that you have to come to the field each day and have the same approach and attitude."

Quotable II: Lincoln-Way Central coach Sean Bieterman: "They beat us pretty good today, and they cashed in on everything we didn't execute. But that's the nice thing about baseball. We played five games this week and have a bunch of games next week. I told the kids to focus on what you need to get better and stronger and come together as a group. We won't make more of it than what it is and come back to play on Monday."

Team Records: Lincoln-Way West 13-7, Lincoln-Way Central 12-11-1.

What’s Next: Lincoln-Way West faces Joliet West on Saturday, while Lincoln-Way Central is off Saturday before resuming Monday against Lockport.