Hitting in the ninth spot, Mount Carmel senior right fielder Haiden Lajcin knows there’s some pressure when he steps up to the dish.
He’s looking to turn the lineup over to the top of the order, a stacked Caravan lineup filled with Division I hitters.
So for Lajcin, while he’s hitting ninth, his mindset is purely leadoff.
Which he’s got plenty of experience with.
Lajcin’s three-run triple jump-started Mount Carmel’s offense in a 10-0 season-opening win in five innings over Morgan Park on March 18 at Ozinga Field in Crestwood.
“I usually bat first or second,” Lajcin said. “Honestly, it’s more the mentality. Batting ninth, a lot of pitchers see the nine-hole and give you lots of fastballs. They think you’re an easy out. I take advantage of that and hit the fastball. I’ll take advantage when I get it.”
Seniors Brady Holland (three RBI, double), Pancho Vazquez (two runs, two walks, single), T.J. McQuillan (two triples, RBI, run) and Christian Clark (two runs) led a balanced offensive attack.
Senior Jake Matise picked up the win for the Caravan with his shutout four innings, allowing just two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Senior Thomas Sosinski struck out the side to end the game in the fifth.
While the Caravan lineup and pitching staff feature a number returning starters with Division I talent, Lajcin comes in as a relative unknown.
He played a bit of a platoon role as a junior, splitting time in the outfield.
This season, he’s looking to make himself a permanent part of the lineup.
“It’s such a blessing,” Lajcin said. “I’m very blessed to be here at Mount Carmel. There is a lot of history and a lot of great players out of here. I want to contribute as much as I can and play my game. I know my game is good enough.”
Lajcin, a 5-10, 165-pounder, is a Calumet College recruit. His triple put Mount Carmel up 3-0 to start a six-run second.
“I want to get on base and cause havoc,” Lajcin said. “I’m looking to hit the ball hard on the ground. I don’t have as much power as a lot of the guys. My job is to hit it hard so the guys can score and I can get on base and run.”
A bit of a baseball nerd, Lajcin said he enjoys watching elite outfielders from Barry Bonds to Ken Griffey Jr. to Mariners star Julio Rodriguez.
McQuillan, a Wake Forest recruit, said Lajcin is a huge asset.
“I don’t think of him as a nine-hitter,” McQuillan said. “He could be at the top of the lineup on any team. You see him working in the cages all the time, the late nights, talking with him. He’s a ballplayer. It’s really good to see all the work he’s putting in paying off.”
Matise, a Lewis recruit, was dominant in his four innings.
He headlines a pitching staff featuring Ian Tosi (Miami) and Connor Elenteny (Notre Dame).
“I just try to go out there and do my job,” Matise said. “Nothing else to it. Every game, no matter big or small, March or June, I think, ‘Let’s keep it going!’ Every game, you want to go out and throw strikes and trust the guys behind you. My mindset is the same going into this year.”