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After committing last summer to Illinois-Chicago, Lucas Acevedo knew there was going to be a spotlight on him this spring as a sophomore infielder/pitcher for Lincoln-Way West.
Being a Division I commit at a young age brings a certain set of expectations. But there’s also comfort that comes with knowing where your future lies.
“There’s some pressure,” Acevedo said. “I put pressure on myself because I know what I’m capable of. But it’s honestly very relieving because now I can just keep playing the game and having fun.
“I’m not worried about recruiting anymore. That was the No. 1 school I wanted to go to.”
Acevedo, coming off a strong sophomore season for the Warriors, also stepped up big to lead his team to the semifinals of the Phil Lawler Summer Classic.
Lincoln-Way West went 3-0 in regional round-robin play, then beat St. Charles North 12-2 in a quarterfinal before losing 7-1 to Lake Park in a semifinal on June 28 at North Central College in Naperville.
“It was another good summer,” Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc said. “We got to see a lot of young guys play. Obviously, we wanted to make it to the championship and fell short, but overall it was good.”
Acevedo said it was a good chance for the Warriors to see what their lineup might look like next spring.
“We got to meet some of the younger guys who will potentially be coming up next year and start building our chemistry,” he said. “We’ve still got nine more months before the next high school season, so we’ve got a lot of time to keep developing these friendships.”
Acevedo went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs in the quarterfinal victory over St. Charles North.
“Lucas has very much improved his batting,” senior first baseman Jack Linko said. “His defense has always been great. This summer, he’s gained some power and he’s providing some really good offense.”
While fellow sophomore Conor Essenburg got much of the attention for Lincoln-Way West this spring, earning honors as the SouthWest Suburban Red’s player of the year, Acevedo was another key young star.
He was frequently used in key spots as a relief pitcher, going 4-3 with a 1.50 ERA, a save and 28 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings.
He hit .270 with a team-high 28 runs while providing steady play in the infield, mostly at second base.
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Acevedo is one of several key players expected to return next season for the Warriors (28-9), who won the SouthWest Suburban Red and a Class 4A regional title before losing to Lincoln-Way East in a Lockport Sectional semifinal.
“He played a consistent really good second base,” Zajc said of Acevedo. “He contributed on the mound and got a lot better at the plate. Having him going into his second year on varsity next year is going to be a big plus for us.”
Acevedo is excited to play college baseball near his family and friends.
“I never really wanted to go far from home,” he said. “I’ve always been a Chicago kid. I loved going to the city when I was younger. I know it’s only an hour drive from home, and if I ever have a big test and want to come home and talk to my mom about it, it’s not a far train ride.”
He hopes to continue doing a little bit of everything on the baseball field at Illinois-Chicago.
“I plan to be a two-way guy all the way into college if I can,” he said. “I don’t think I can pick one over the other. I love making an occasional start or relief appearance, but I also love being in that everyday lineup and being in those big spots as a hitter.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
