Colin Campbell had a solid sophomore year for Brother Rice.
He hit .350 and was a strong defender at second base for a Crusaders squad that finished fourth in Class 4A.
But Campbell knew he had be better this season in a far bigger role.
He was plenty good in a 15-1 road win over Reavis on March 24. Campbell finished with three hits, two RBI, a run and a stolen base.
“Coach (Sean) McBride challenged me before the season and told me I needed to step up,” Campbell said. “He said the team needed a little bit more out of me. I respect that. I agree. I had more in me last year. It’s good to see the results right now, but it’s the beginning of the season.”
Also starring were juniors Brady Cunningham (two hits, two RBI, two runs), Anthony Cartolano (three hits, two doubles, three RBI, three runs) and Luca Agne (two RBI), sophomore Gavin Helpingstine (two RBI, two runs) and senior Trey Webster (two runs).
Senior Braydon McKendrick picked up the win, giving up a run on two hits and two walks over three innings with five strikeouts.
Campbell, a 5-10, 165-pound middle infielder, is a Louisville recruit.
He’s been on the move in a big way this spring, jumping from the seven-spot last year to the three-spot in the lineup this year. He also moved to shortstop.
“Last spring was a big learning moment and year,” Campbell said. “It was my first time out there seeing all those arms in this environment. Now, I’m super comfortable in this spot. … I step up to the challenge.”
Brother Rice (3-3 through last week) scored nine runs in the first, sending 14 batters to the plate. Campbell had two RBI singles in the rally.
McBride said he challenged Campbell because he knows what his star shortstop is capable of.
“Colin is a kid who’s dominated every level most of his life,” McBride said. “He’s always been very confident and had that edge and belief. He had tough times offensively but he still hit .340 something. Look at the history books, only elite guys have those years as sophomores. Colin is always hungry for more and expects more of himself.”
Cartolano, Cunningham (Texas A&M) and Campbell provide quite the potent top third of the Rice lineup.
From there, it’s still dangerous up and down the order.
“(Cartolano) is one of the best leadoff hitters in the state of Illinois,” Campbell said. “Brady is great. My role, it’s as a sneaky three-hole hitter. I like that lineup. I like seeing those two guys in front of me. They get on base most of the time, and it’s RBI time from there.”
Seniors Parker Zasada (single, walk, run, two stolen bases) and Jonathan Liesen (RBI double) led Reavis, which was 3-2 entering this week.
The Rams traveled to Alabama and Florida March 27-April 2.
Coach Kyle McKinley liked the fight he saw in his team.
“We’ve got to be able to rebound. The wheels fell off early, so you want to see a sense of pride out there,” McKinley said. “Our kids did that. We competed. I can’t question that.”
Reavis also played St. Laurence and has private-school powers Mount Carmel and Nazareth on its schedule.
“We have a tough week coming up and then we come back for conference,” McKinley said. “These games really set us up for that. We’re prepped for those games.”