Last spring, Ian Tosi of Mount Carmel faced unexpected news after surgery. What was thought to be a minor procedure turned into Tommy John surgery. The intense rehabilitation that followed required perseverance. About 15 months later, the senior left-hander, who signed with Miami, displayed his dedication on the mound for the Caravan. He reflected, “I’ve worked every day to return from that surgery. I came back in 11 months, which is rare. I did it for my team, and I am proud of myself.”
On Wednesday, Tosi’s efforts paid off as he helped Mount Carmel upset top-seeded St. Laurence 12-8 in the Class 4A Brother Rice Sectional semifinal in Chicago. Tosi navigated four errors and six hits, holding the Vikings to four earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. Georgetown recruit Brady Holland and Wake Forest commit TJ McQuillan contributed to the win for the Caravan with home runs. Holland’s shot was a three-run blast, while Pancho Vazquez had two hits and two RBIs. Cullen Winters added three hits with a run and an RBI.
“It’s amazing, but we were confident in our win,” Tosi stated, dismissing the notion of an upset. “We believe we’re the better team.” Mount Carmel will face Brother Rice, who defeated Reavis 7-6, in the sectional championship game. St. Laurence’s standout was Louisville recruit Cory Les with a three-run homer, yet their quest for consecutive state titles ended.
Mount Carmel’s coach Brian Hurry commended Tosi’s resilience. “He’s been through so much over the past months. Few understand his journey to pitch again. It was a brave performance against a tough lineup,” Hurry said.
Tosi’s journey began with persistent elbow soreness that led to a diagnosis of a partial UCL tear. “I expected a minor repair,” Tosi recalled. “But woke up with a full reconstruction. I was initially upset, but it proved beneficial. The full surgery was crucial. I’m excited and my arm is improving.”
Despite a limited start to the season, Tosi managed a comeback, achieving a 5-0 record with a 1.46 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. His readiness for the playoffs was evident. “I promised to be ready for the playoffs, and I can now offer five to seven innings to help us win,” he noted.
Holland supported Tosi significantly, launching a crucial three-run homer in the sixth inning. “Constant scoring was necessary,” Holland explained. “I feel great beating them for the first time in four years.”
For Tosi, the victory was fulfilling. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve worked hard for this. I got emotional when the game ended. So many emotions, and I’m glad to help my team win.”