While in the batter’s box, Lincoln-Way East senior Max Polad heard the musings loud and clear from the Lincoln-Way Central student section.
“You should go back to modeling.”
“Go play in the dollhouse.”
The words were meant to fluster Polad.
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But No. 3 hitters in the lineup don’t get rattled.
They get inspired.
“When I was younger, I was a model,” he said. “I was the first-ever American (Girl) boy doll model. It felt good to shut them up.”
Not once, but twice. Polad blasted two homers Monday to help Lincoln-Way East to a 5-2 SouthWest Suburban crossover win in Frankfort.
Senior pitcher Landen Looper (6-0), a Louisville commit, struck out 11 and allowed five hits and one walk over 6 ? innings. Dan Hiemer recorded the final two outs to earn the save for Lincoln-Way East (17-2, 3-0).
Zak Keegan had two RBIs and Jake Petak added an RBI single during a four-run fourth inning.
Polad’s first homer not only tied the game up, it gave the Griffins a huge lift. Lincoln-Way Central starter Matt Maloney hadn’t allowed a hit through three innings.
“Up until Max’s first homer, I don’t think we squared a ball up,” Lincoln-Way East coach Eric Brauer said. “After the homer, we strung together a bunch of good at-bats.”
For Lincoln-Way Central (11-3, 4-1), Ryan Kraft homered for the third straight game. The Indiana commit also singled and doubled.
While Polad has taken some good-natured ribbing from his teammates about his modeling career, he said Monday was the first time he had ever heard anything about it from an opposing team during a game.
The homers were the seventh and eighth on the season for Polad, a power-hitting third baseman, and both were no-doubt shots.
“It felt awesome,” he said. “We all have known each other our entire lives. But it motivated me.”
After the first home run, which tied the game 1-1, Polad waved to the student section before crossing home plate.
He acknowledged getting caught up in the moment.
“I got around third base and my emotions took over,” Polad said. “It popped in my head to wave.”
After the second homer, which increased the lead to 5-1, Polad emphatically stepped on home plate.
“That’s something we’ve been doing as a team all year,” Polad said. “We picked that up from Vanderbilt.”
Keegan wasn’t surprised to see Polad rise to the occasion.
“He’s done that all year,” Keegan said. “He’s stepped up in crucial spots. The first home run turned around the momentum.”
Keegan’s two-RBI single isn’t something fans will see every day. With the bases loaded, Keegan hit a squibber down the first base line that started in fair territory, then veered well into foul territory before spinning back in fair territory.
The ball stopped 10 feet from the first base bag, but allowed two runs to score for a 4-1 lead.
“I saw the side spin and it started to go into fair territory,” Keegan said. “I said to myself, ‘I have to sprint this out.’ It was a crucial time in the game.”
Lincoln-Way Central coach Mitch Nowicki was disappointed in his team’s inability to execute during key moments.
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“We’re letting big situations get to us,” he said. “That shouldn’t happen. We need to compete better. But I’d rather lose this one than in the regional or sectional.”