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Ethan Highfill used his bat to help Sandburg take an early lead. He used his arm to make sure the Eagles would hold onto it.
It was a pretty typical day for the junior utility man, who has become accustomed to playing all over the field.
“Freshman year, I started as a catcher and infielder, then last year I changed to catcher and outfielder,” Highfill said. “This year, they told me they needed a first baseman, and I decided I’d step up and get the job done. I’ve played third and pitched.
“I feel like I’m a coachable player. I want to get the job done for the team and be a team player. If I need to be a utility player, I can do that.”
Highfill had two big hits Friday and threw the final 2 1/3 innings without allowing a run to earn the save as host Sandburg held on for a 5-3 nonconference win over Thornwood in Orland Park.
Colin Kissane had a double and two RBIs for the Eagles (8-2-1), while Jason Sullivan was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run and Cole Vazzana allowed one earned run in 3 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win.
Dasaan Lee went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and Derrion Howard produced an RBI single for Thornwood (4-7).
Sandburg bounced back after a tough 11-1 loss Thursday to rival Andrew.
“Our coaches talked about how we’re going to have a hump in the road at some point and that was probably that hump,” Kissane said of Thursday’s game. “We knew it wasn’t our day, so we had to come back out (Friday) and get the job done.”
Highfill singled and scored on Kissane’s double in the first inning. In the third, Highfill ripped an RBI triple into center field.
On the mound, Highfill did not allow a hit.
“Ethan did a nice job,” Sandburg coach Jim Morsovillo said. “He hasn’t gotten many innings on the mound yet, but we know he can step into that role, for sure.
“He’s been swinging the bat well. He’s squared some balls up. He’s helping us all over the place right now.”
Highfill took over as the pitcher in a big spot.
Thornwood had just pulled within 5-3 and had a runner at third with two outs. That runner advanced after Highfill, playing first base, fired the ball over catcher Victor Zaragoza’s head in an attempt to throw a runner out at the plate.
Highfill then induced a groundout to end the inning.
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“I made the error throwing home and I knew I needed to step up for my team,” he said. “Coach told me it was my turn on the mound, and I knew I needed to make up for my mistake.”
Thornwood coach Marcus Rodgers, meanwhile, sees his team coming together after last week’s spring break trip to Arizona.
“Even bigger than the games, we were able to build some camaraderie on that trip,” Rodgers said. “When you have a vested interest in your teammates, it definitely helps.
“The big thing for us (Friday) was our lefties threw strikes. When we do that, we’re a tough out. We’re a young team and we’re still trying to get those wrinkles out, but I really like the way we competed.”
Highfill, on the flip side, is always competing. He also plays football for the Eagles and coach Troy McAllister. He feels that has made him into a better baseball player.
“Coach McAllister has really gotten me a lot faster and more agile and that’s carried a lot into baseball,” Highfill said. “The strength from football helps on the baseball field, too.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
