As a freshman last year, Providence’s Enzo Infelise was called up to the varsity a few weeks into the season and became the cleanup hitter shortly thereafter.
That was an intense role, but one Infelise embraced right away. And the sophomore catcher knows it has helped him have huge success this spring.
“I kind of want the pressure situations,” Infelise said. “It’s fun to be in them. We play good teams all the time. That’s what you want.
“We’ve got a lot of the same guys back from last year and I started making good friends with them last year. That makes things easier, and I’m starting to play lights out now.”
The Oklahoma recruit continued his hot hitting Thursday night, going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs as the Celtics and Lemont played to a 4-4 tie in pool play of the Do It Stevie’s Way Tournament at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet.
The game was called after nine innings due to time restraints.
Gavin Gomez went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, Jackson Smith was 2-for-4 with a run and Saint Louis recruit AJ Vinci allowed four runs over six innings for Providence (26-6-1), which won its pool and advanced to the semifinals of the 16-team tournament Saturday at Ozinga Field in Crestwood. The time and opponent are to be determined.
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had a huge two-run double, while Joe Pender was 2-for-5 with an RBI for Lemont (26-6-1). Ryan Klukas allowed three earned runs over five innings in relief.
Infelise, who has 32 RBIs, singled and doubled in his first two at-bats and was later walked twice. He raised his batting average to .553.
“He has a lot of confidence in himself,” Providence coach Mark Smith said of Infelise. “He doesn’t carry himself like a sophomore. Last year, getting a lot of varsity experience as a freshman and hitting in the four-hole, he grew up quick.
“It’s fun to watch him hit.”
Infelise committed to Oklahoma in March.
“I felt like I needed to be there and it was good spot for me,” he said. “I love their facilities and they’re moving to the SEC, so that’s going to be a lot of fun.
“I love the coaches — they’re really likable and easy to talk to. It’s a good program, too.”
Down 2-1, Lemont scored three times in the sixth inning. Pender’s RBI single tied it before Kelby came up with a two-out, two-run double.
Kelby struck out his other three times at the plate.
“Throughout the game, I was struggling a little bit,” Kelby said. “Pat (Gardner) had a tough at-bat before me, and I just wanted to go up there and pick him up.
“I wanted to give our team a chance. I was just trying to put the ball in play. He gave me a fastball down the middle and I just timed it up. It feels great.”
Lemont coach Brian Storako was not surprised to see Kelby, a senior infielder, shake off the strikeouts and step up in a big spot.
“He’s had a couple big hits for us this year,” Storako said of Kelby. “He battles. He got one when we needed it, put it on the button and had a big hit for us.”
Providence rallied with two runs in the seventh as Nate O’Donnell’s sacrifice fly tied it.
Lemont was not happy to settle for a tie, but Kelby knows Thursday’s battle will help down the road. He will take some confidence into the playoffs after his big double.
“Games like this are so fun,” Kelby said. “This is playoff atmosphere. We were excited. We know Providence is a great team. We just had to come out here, compete and play hard.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.