Jason Heyward delivered the most famous speech in Chicago Cubs history during a rain delay in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.
On Wednesday night, with Brother Rice’s season seemingly slipping away, Treylan Webster had some words of encouragement for his teammates that deserve their place in Crusaders lore.
“It’s always good to have someone talking to you,” Webster said. “In those moments, I always have to remind them, ‘You’ve worked all your life for this. It’s not time to panic. You’ve got this. We have each other and we’re going to do it together.’”
Webster not only provided the inspiration. He then backed up his words.
The Purdue Northwest-bound senior catcher produced a game-tying RBI infield single with two outs as the host Crusaders rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh and pulled out a 7-6 victory over Reavis in eight innings in a Class 4A Brother Rice Sectional semifinal in Chicago.
Texas A&M recruit Brady Cunningham ignited the comeback for the Crusaders (28-10) with a three-run homer in the seventh. Louisville commit Colin Campbell walked and scored the winning run on a wild pitch with two outs in the eighth.
Aidan Dillon pitched the final three innings without allowing a hit to earn the win.
“We had faith that it was going to happen,” Cunningham said. “Everyone was staying together, rooting for each other.”
The second-seeded Crusaders will host fourth-seeded Mount Carmel (28-10) at 11 a.m. Saturday in the sectional championship game.
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Morton College recruit Jonathan Liesen homered and scored three runs for sixth-seeded Reavis (24-13). Juan Avila and Anthony Perez each had two RBIs while Robert Soto Jr. struck out six over 6 2/3 innings, allowing six earned runs.
The Rams were one out away from the upset when Webster came to the plate with the bases loaded in the seventh and the Crusaders trailing 6-5.
He hit a high chopper to the left of the mound, hustled down the line and was safe when Reavis could not complete a tough play.
“Obviously, there were a little nerves but they were good nerves,” Webster said. “I knew I was going to come through for my team. It wasn’t pretty, but I got it done.
“I couldn’t have done it without all these guys. I’m just really blessed to have another day with them.”
And his teammates certainly feel that way about Webster.
“Trey’s been our guy all year,” Cunningham said. “He’s the guy supporting everyone during their lows and rooting them on in their highs. We’d be nowhere without Trey, honestly.
“He’s been a huge mentor for me and I love him so much. I’ll get emotional talking about him because he’s the one keeping us going this whole time.”
Brother Rice coach Sean McBride has seen Webster blossom in that role.
“I knew Trey when he was in seventh grade and he didn’t talk at all,” McBride said. “Now, he’s firing up the guys. He got emotional in front of everyone after this win.
“At Brother Rice, we ask you to grow up here. Trey’s grown into this incredible leader and the baseball gods reward that.”
Webster has played baseball since he was 5 years old but also dipped into wrestling when he was younger, which he believes made him grittier.
“In wrestling, you’re going to lose,” Webster said. “You’re going to get punched in the mouth. That’s what happened in this game. They beat us the first half of the game but you never quit.
“You come back, stay tough, show resilience.”
Webster made sure the Crusaders did that. And the result was magical.
“I got to first base and everyone’s cheering,” Webster said. “I’m happy. We live to see another day.
“I’m going to remember this my whole life. I’m never going to forget it.”