Despite a determined effort, the Thornton Fractional South Red Wolves were defeated 5-0 by Lincoln-Way Central in the regional playoff held Wednesday at Andrew High School.
According to reports, the Knights established an early lead and maintained it throughout the game. Senior center fielder Liam Arsich played a pivotal role, scoring twice within the first three innings and adding another run in the fifth inning. Junior pitcher Alex Panos contributed significantly by pitching a shutout, effectively limiting the Red Wolves' offensive capabilities and extending his team's winning streak to four games.
Red Wolves junior pitcher Benny Gutierrez initially matched Panos's performance; however, Lincoln-Way Central capitalized on crucial opportunities. Senior catcher Cade Andrews and junior first baseman Connor McCabe each delivered RBI hits, further increasing the Knights' advantage.
Despite the final score, the Red Wolves demonstrated strong defensive skills. Senior outfielder Kyle Smith made a notable leaping catch to prevent a home run, while sophomore Juan Lozano displayed impressive hustle on the basepaths. The Red Wolves entered this game with a 13-20-2 record after securing a 13-6 victory on their Senior Night.
Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt acknowledged both his team's confidence and areas requiring improvement: "We’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the state. We’ll need to bring more energy Saturday."
Red Wolves coach Amir Wright expressed optimism about his young team’s potential: "We were close. Now we’ve got to work. Next year, we take the next step."