Brother Rice’s Luca Agne
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didn’t need much time to validate the trust of the coaching staff.The junior infielder earned a promotion, moving up to the coveted cleanup spot of the batting order for the Crusaders. It was only one step up, but Agne was adamant about making an impression.
“The coaches wanted to switch things up and I felt like it really worked out,” he said. “I’ve been in the five hole this whole spring, but the big thing was just doing my job and producing runs.”
Consider that job done for at least one day.
Agne came through Tuesday afternoon and blasted a two-run double, sparking host Brother Rice to a 7-0 victory over Lincoln-Way Central at George Sedlacek Field in Chicago.
Senior left-hander JJ Manos struck out six while scattered three hits and a walk for the Crusaders (4-4). Junior infielder Brady Cunningham added two hits, two RBIs and two runs.
Senior outfielder Luke Tingley tallied two of the five hits generated by the Knights (3-2).
Agne, meanwhile, continued to pay dividends for the Crusaders as a transfer from Plainfield North. His double drove in both Cunningham and Louisville recruit Colin Campbell.
Familiarity helps. Agne, Cunningham and Campbell are joined by five other players on Brother Rice from the Lockport-based Cangelosi Sparks travel program.
“You’d never tell that he was a transfer the way he has so easily blended in with everybody on the team,” Campbell said of Agne. “I’d call Luca one of our glue guys.
“He brings a different type of grit and gets the boys going.”
Agne brings quickness, speed and a remarkably accurate glove to Brother Rice’s lineup. He has a perfect fielding percentage through the first eight games.
“Luca is a versatile player, works extremely hard and plays the game with confidence,” Brother Rice coach Sean McBride said. “He fits right in and has brought an energy and edge every day that translates throughout the team.”
A natural left-handed hitter who throws right, Agne became a switch-hitter four years ago.
“So far I haven’t faced a left-hander, so I’ve only batted from the left side, but I’m really two different hitters,” he said. “I get at balls differently from the left side. On that double, I just drove a four seam fastball gap to gap. From the right side, I’m more of a base hit guy.”
As a sophomore last season, Agne started at shortstop and helped Plainfield North win a regional title. He comes to a Brother Rice program that took fourth place in the state in Class 4A last spring.
Not looking to upend the hierarchy, Agne has been eager to fit in and not make any waves.
“I’m just a gritty player,” he said. “I’m going to run, work hard, and do whatever it takes to help the team win. I feel like I’m a great addition to the team — just ready to help them keep rolling.”
Agne is the youngest of five kids. His two older brothers, Anthony
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and Joey, played baseball at Plainfield North. After a stop at Joliet Junior College, Anthony played at Purdue Northwest.“He was the one who kept me going and kept pushing me and stayed on me all the time,” Luca said. “My brothers gave me that competitive mindset and the push to always want to win.
“I feel like that’s always been a habit for me.”
Agne’s other passions are golfing and fishing. The family has a pond in the backyard. He loves solitude and quiet. Baseball, however, is a different beast.
“I love being around the guys,” he said. “The sport is amazing, and I love the way you play it. I love the effort and the grind, and how fast paced it is. It’s always been a love for me.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.