Junior infielder Eddie Olszta has a name that carries quite the legacy at Providence.
Olszta’s father and grandfather, both also named Ed, are members of the school’s Hall of Fame and both went on to play in the minor leagues.
That’s quite a name to live up to, but Olszta tries not to let it burden him.
“A lot of people say it must be a lot of pressure to fill those shoes, but I don’t really feel that at all,” Olszta said. “Everybody’s their own player, and I have confidence that I’m a good player, too.
“I just try to learn from my dad because he’s my biggest teacher when it comes to baseball and life.”
Olszta is starting to write his own chapter in the family story. He came up with a pair of big hits and reached base three times Wednesday, helping the host Celtics top Andrew 5-1 in a Class 4A Providence Sectional semifinal.
Cooper Eggert pitched six innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits while striking out six for the Celtics (29-8). He also went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Oklahoma recruit Enzo Infelise finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run and got the save on the mound, while Mitch Voltz singled, walked and scored a run.
Providence’s Eddie Olszta (20) gets a lead off from third base against Andrew during the Class 4A Providence Sectional semifinal in New Lenox on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Second-seeded Providence plays at 11 a.m. Saturday in the sectional championship game against top-seeded Lincoln-Way West (30-4), a 5-2 winner over Lincoln-Way Central. The Celtics beat the Warriors 3-1 on May 11.
Austin Cusack had an RBI single for sixth-seeded Andrew (25-12). Nolan Kendall added a double and Danny Moss threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.
Olszta singled as part of a two-run first inning for the Celtics, walked during a three-run second and doubled in the fourth. He continued a late-season surge.
“I feel like I’ve been seeing the ball better lately and feeling more relaxed and in the zone at the plate,” he said. “The ball seems a lot bigger at the plate.”
Growing up, Olszta always expected to play baseball at Providence, with hopes to continue with the sport well beyond high school like his dad and grandpa.
Providence’s Jackson Smith (17) tags out Andrew’s Jack Loconte (2) during the Class 4A Providence Sectional semifinal in New Lenox on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
“I kind of knew from a young age that baseball was going to be my thing,” he said. “I always loved watching it, and my whole life always revolved around baseball.”
Providence coach Mark Smith has seen Olszta elevate his game this season to make a difference for the Celtics.
“He’s got the pedigree and the bloodline, that’s for sure,” Smith said. “He’s a quiet, reserved kid who just plays the game of baseball. He’s easygoing. He doesn’t think too much. He just goes out there and plays. We love having him.”
Eggert, meanwhile, was perfect through four innings on the mound — something that has become a trend for him.
“The last game I was perfect through four also, so the confidence has been there,” Eggert said. “The confidence keeps building, for sure. It definitely helped getting an early lead.”
Providence’s Eddie Olszta (20) controls a ground ball against Andrew during the Class 4A Providence Sectional semifinal in New Lenox on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
In Saturday’s regional championship game against Homewood-Flossmoor, Providence was shut out for seven innings before pulling off a 2-1 win in the eighth.
The Celtics made sure to get their bats going early this time.
“I feel like the difference was we were looking for more fastballs and we had a better approach,” Olszta said. “We were patient, waiting for that pitch we could handle, and when we got that pitch, we put a good barrel to it.”
Of course, Olszta has some good role models to lean on for hitting advice.
“It’s nice because when I’m struggling my dad can relate to me about when he was struggling, and he tells me to stay out of my head and stay confident,” Olszta said. “When we’re going good, he tells me not to get too cocky because that’s when things start going downhill.”
