Before this season started, Libertyville senior third baseman Bode Rohrbach made a decision that has driven him ever since.
Rohrbach, who said he will attend Arizona and pursue a business degree, won’t play college baseball.
“It was tough,” he said. “That’s what I’m fighting for now. This could’ve been the last game I ever played, so I need to give it my all.”
The defending Class 4A state champion Wildcats can’t expect much more from Rohrbach, who went 2-for-3 with his third career home run, a three-run shot, and played flawlessly at third during a Libertyville Sectional semifinal against North Suburban Conference rival Mundelein on Wednesday.
Batting ninth, Rohrbach provided more than enough run support for senior right-hander Chase Lockwood, an Illinois State recruit who scattered six hits as top-seeded Libertyville defeated the fourth-seeded Mustangs 8-1.
“It was a wind bomb,” Rohrbach said, smiling. “I got put into the nine hole for a reason, just to score runs and manufacture runs.
“I got an outside fastball, which I was looking for. I got it into the air, and luckily the wind was blowing out. I had no clue it was going out but saw it had a chance, and it kept going.”
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Rohrbach’s homer, his second in as many postseasons, highlighted a four-run third inning for the Wildcats (27-10-1), who will play second-seeded Warren (24-10), another conference rival, in the sectional championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Senior outfielder Carson Holmes, another postseason hero, also had two hits and drove in two runs for Libertyville, which had split a two-game conference series against the Mustangs (22-11).
Rohrbach, whose grandfather Ken Rudolph was a catcher in Major League Baseball for nine seasons, including four with the Chicago Cubs, is enjoying another postseason run and is prepared to do his part.
“It feels different knowing I’m not playing after this season,” he said. “The pressure is gone. I’m just out here to have fun.”
Lockwood can tell.
“He works so hard and always has a smile on his face,” Lockwood said of Rohrbach. “He always shows up to practice and makes every play in the field. For a lot of guys, they sit on my fastball, then they roll it over to him, and he always makes the play.”
Rohrbach’s experience as a three-year starter also is valuable, according to Libertyville coach Matt Thompson.
“He can lead the guys who haven’t been here,” Thompson said. “It’s been really steady with him. We can trust him to make plays.”
Libertyville senior outfielder Jack Cenar, who hit an RBI double against Mundelein, said Rohrbach is a complete ballplayer.
“He’s a big part of our team and is always ready to make a play on the field,” Cenar said. “He’s ready for every situation and is a very good fielder and not afraid to do the little things, like bunting, at the bat.
“He’s got great speed and is good at stealing bases, and we saw the power today. He can drive balls down the line and uses every part of the field.”
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This story will be updated. Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.