Libertyville senior outfielder Carson Holmes proved vital in the Class 4A state championship game, despite a rough patch leading up to the event. Holmes stepped up for his final high school plate appearance at Wintrust Field, Joliet, in the eighth inning, determined to make an impact.
Having gone hitless in the last ten at-bats with six strikeouts, Holmes opted to use a bat he trusted throughout the previous season. This decision was more psychological than anything else, aimed at breaking his slump. Holmes stated, “What I was doing wasn’t working, so I figured I’d try something else. I decided to go back to old reliable, and it paid off.”
His choice paid off remarkably as Holmes secured the game-winning hit. A single to left field enabled junior pitcher Madden Cotts to score, sealing Libertyville’s 7-6 victory over Maine South and clinching a second consecutive state title. Holmes described the play, “It was a full-count fastball high and in. At first, I was nervous that it was going to hang up long enough for the left fielder to get to it, but he wasn’t playing very shallow. After I saw it fall, it was an electric feeling.”
Tension ran high in the Libertyville dugout as senior shortstop Trevor Wallace recounted, “Two guys said, ‘He’s got his old bat. Watch, he’s going to get a hit,’” showcasing the team’s belief in Holmes, despite recent struggles. Holmes had been a fixture in the batting lineup, reinforcing trust and confidence within the team.
The Wildcats, with a 31-10-1 record, emphasized teamwork and resilience throughout their season. Holmes highlighted, “Even though I wasn’t playing well, I knew that the team would have my back. Every win was a team win. We played for one another, and by doing that we ended up right where we left off last year.”
Libertyville’s coach, Matt Thompson, expressed confidence in Holmes, even amidst challenges. Thompson stated, “During some ups and downs, we had talked to him and reiterated to him that ‘you’re our guy.’ He was still doing the right things at practice, hitting the ball well in BP. So we were confident in him.”
In a crucial turn of events, senior outfielder Jack Cenar scored the go-ahead run on a balk, providing Holmes the opportunity to relax and execute his hit successfully. Though Maine South scored a run in the bottom of the eighth, Holmes’ contribution proved decisive.
The victory adds another layer of achievement to Holmes’ collection. Holmes cherishes these memories, saying, “I’ve probably watched video of that last at-bat about 30 times, and there are recaps all over social media. I still can’t believe what happened. It was a perfect storm of us doing all the right things to win.”
The tale of Carson Holmes exemplifies perseverance and reliance on teamwork, capturing a moment that resonates in Libertyville’s sporting history.
Steve Reaven contributed as the writer for this piece.