Even after Luke Kavois broke his wrist crashing into a wall during Stagg baseball’s spring trip to Myrtle Beach, he didn’t give up on the season.
Neither did his teammates or outgoing coach Matt O’Neill. And now the Chargers — seeded 12th among 18 teams in the Lincoln-Way West Sectional and 8-27 in the regular season — are the unlikeliest of regional champions.
First, Stagg ousted seventh seed Marist, the East Suburban Catholic co-champ, 9-7 in 11 innings in the regional semifinals on May 29.
Then, Kavois — a sidearming right-hander who was projected as a platoon catcher and outfielder — pitched the game of his life on May 31 to beat second-seeded Lincoln-Way West 4-1 for the regional title.
Kavois threw two-hit, shutout ball over 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out none. Andrew Speh, who singled home two runs in the fifth, got the final four outs.
While still wearing a cast on his left wrist during his recovery, Kavois would take a bucket of balls and throw to keep his arm in shape for a call no one really knew would come.
But it did, and Kavois earned the first start of his high-school career against the Warriors (28-8), who beat the Chargers 18-0 and 11-2 in the regular season.
O’Neill had a hunch Kavois’ odd motion and ability to throw strikes could cause problems for Lincoln-Way West. He was right.
“He’s an unconventional sidearm guy who doesn’t throw very hard,” O’Neill said.
Speh took care of the rest, as he did against Marist.
First the senior, who is going to play junior hockey in Minnesota, turned in “one of the best defensive plays I’ve ever seen,” O’Neill said.
Then Speh hit the tiebreaking, two-run homer in the top of the 11th.
So O’Neill, in his 19th season, had a little longer to lead the Chargers with longtime assistants Tom Syska and Mike Darrah, two of his college baseball teammates at St. Xavier.
“For the kids to show up every day at 8-27 — it has very little to do with the coaching staff,” O’Neill said. “Just a good group of kids. …
“Baseball is really the only sport where most of the time, the not-better team has a chance.”
It just needs a little belief and a little magic. Just ask Stagg.
Here’s a look at the other local regional finals:
Class 4A
Mount Carmel 10, Lyons 2: Joey Ireland hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the host Caravan (23-14) rolled to victory.
Kolin Adams was 1-for-3 with three walks, a homer, three runs and three RBIs for Mount Carmel. Connor Elenteny got the win, allowing three hits and two runs (none earned) over six innings.
Justin Heydorn was 2-for-3 for Lyons (22-11-1).
Nazareth 10, Oak Lawn 0: Landon Thome was 4-for-4 with a triple, double, two runs and two RBIs as the host Roadrunners (31-6) won their eighth straight regional and 21st overall.
Jimmy O’Connor went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs for Nazareth. Chase Zidlicky got the win, striking out four and allowing two hits over four innings. Oak Lawn finished 23-14.
Class 3A
De La Salle 17, Lindblom 0: Francisco Rodriguez had a single, double, homer and four RBIs as the Meteors (13-22) won their own regional. Kaleb Navarro struck out six over four innings to earn the win.
Oak Forest 3, Evergreen Park 0: Rowan Smyth was the hard-luck loser for the host Mustangs, allowing four hits and three runs (none earned) over 5 1/3 innings. Evergreen Park finished 27-10, setting a program record for wins.
St. Laurence 8, Tinley Park 4: The host Vikings (32-5) rallied from a 4-0 deficit to win their own regional.
Connor Marino was 3-for-3 with three runs for St. Laurence and Mickey Lotus went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and two RBIs. Jimmy Benson threw three innings of shutout relief for the win.
St. Rita 14, Marian Catholic 10: The host Mustangs (17-20) won their third straight regional as sophomore Jayden Ibarra was 3-for-4 with a double, triple and four RBIs. Jayden Rivera had three RBIs, one more than Colin Quinn and Angel Castro.