Beating a rival on the road is not an accomplishment lost on Lincoln-Way West’s Reese Rourke.
With a long bus ride, plus different field conditions than at home and always the threat of crummy spring weather, the sophomore pitcher knows working fast and throwing strikes is paramount.
But when it all comes together, Rourke can shine like she did Thursday afternoon.
“Reese did a good job getting ahead of hitters,” Warriors coach Heather Novak said of Rourke. “Also, our defense made a number of great plays behind her.”
It helped as Rourke pitched a complete-game, 10-4 SouthWest Suburban Red victory over host Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort. She stranded seven runners while striking out three.
As the leadoff hitter, Rourke went 1-for-2 with a single, two walks, three runs and an RBI to pace Lincoln-Way West (7-5, 3-3).
The Griffins (12-6, 3-3) got a solid game sophomore catcher Mackenzie Bacha, who had three singles and scored. Senior designated player Averi Vander Woude scored twice and stole a base.
“We were kind of down at the beginning of the season,” Rourke said. “We needed this game to come back.”
Lincoln-Way West’s Reese Rourke takes off her face protection in between batters against Lincoln-Way East during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Frankfort on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Rourke wasn’t the only girl named Reese to do damage Thursday for the Warriors. Sophomore catcher Reese Forsythe, Rourke’s batterymate, singled twice, had two RBIs and scored a run.
The pair faced a potent Lincoln-Way East lineup but gave up just one run in the first inning. Rourke ended up retiring six in a row at one point before slowing down a bit in the seventh.
Sophomore outfielder Reese Cusack also walked and was solid defensively for the Warriors.
That’s right, Lincoln-Way West relies on three Reeses, and sometimes those pieces can get a little confusing. But when their game is on, things get a lot clearer for everyone.
“We never really know who is playing where because it’s always, ‘Reese go here, Reese go there,’” Rourke said with a laugh. “We figure it out.”
“The coaches get used to just saying our last names,” Forsythe said.
Forsythe is an interesting case. She wasn’t originally a catcher when she entered high school, but she said Novak saw something in her last season that put her behind the plate.
“Freshman year I played catcher because they needed a catcher,” Forsythe said. “So I filled my spot in there.”
Lincoln-Way West’s Reese Cusack controls a bouncing hit to right field against Lincoln-Way East during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Frankfort on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
All three were varsity players as freshmen, three of six freshmen on the team.
It tested their mettle early.
“We definitely got used to it, playing against people who were three, four years older,” Rourke said. “It was definitely difficult.”
But one key has made this season go smoother than last.
“We’ve created bonds between our teammates now that we’ve played for two years,” Cusack said. “It’s definitely easier.”
Leading off and pitching, Rourke realizes the role she plays.
“As soon as you see what the umpire is calling and being on the mound,” she said. “In this game, I noticed the outside corner was a little bit smaller, so as I got in the dugout, I told the team.”
College is a long way off for the Reeses, but all three have big-time aspirations.
Lincoln-Way West’s Reese Forsythe sets up behind the plate against Lincoln-Way East during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Frankfort on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Forsythe, for example, has a large burnt-orange Texas flag in her room, so she has her heart set on being a Longhorn someday.
“My dream school has always been Georgia,” Cusack said.
And while Rourke isn’t quite sure where she will end up, she has been going to a lot of camps.
Those are big dreams, but they appear to be on the right track.
“Just got to work hard to get there,” Forsythe said.
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
