After starting season on the bench, Kaden O’Leary lights up at the plate for Lockport. ‘Did what I did best.’
In his first varsity season, Lockport’s Kaden O’Leary had to have some patience as he waited for a chance to prove himself. On the Porters’ season-opening trip to Tennessee, O’Leary did not start in any of the four games, but the junior infielder/pitcher stayed ready. “When we went to Memphis, I didn’t play much and I was OK with it,” O’Leary said.
“I was just on the top step, cheering on my teammates and waiting for my moment. “When the moment came, I just did what I did best. ” O’Leary came through with a big pinch-hit double in Lockport’s fifth game of the season.
He’s been in the starting lineup ever since, working his way up to batting fifth in the order while swinging a hot bat. O’Leary continued that surge Saturday, going 4-for-4 with four singles, a walk and two runs as the Porters mounted a big rally before losing 8-7 to Joliet West in nine innings in the WJOL Tournament championship game at Slammers Stadium in Joliet. Grand Valley State recruit Drew Satunas drove in two runs and scored another for Lockport (5-5), while Purdue Northwest commit Jack Schiek produced a game-tying two-run double with two outs in the seventh.
Lewis recruit Adam Kozak scored two runs. Bobby Malinowski , the son of Lockport coach Scott Malinowski , delivered the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth for Joliet West (6-2-1), which won its first WJOL Tournament title. “You’re completely torn,” Scott Malinowski said of watching his son beat his team.
“I experienced it last year when I coached against him for the first time, but obviously this moment, with the championship on the line, was something else. “I just feel really grateful. Not many people are going to be able to live that moment.