Carson Holmes Steers Libertyville Wildcats in Regional Triumph

Libertyville’s senior left fielder Carson Holmes plays a crucial role for the defending Class 4A state champion Wildcats. As a top returnee, Holmes offers vital guidance to his less experienced teammates. He embraces this leadership, emphasizing teamwork. ‘You want to be that guy when the time comes,’ Holmes says. ‘We’re going to run into some tough games later on. When things get tough, we’re going to have to rally, and we’ll talk to the guys and let them know I’ve got their back and everybody else has everybody’s back. That’s the motto. It’s going to battle.’

Batting third, the 6-foot, 195-pound Holmes anchors the team’s efforts, having reached base four times as Libertyville trounced eighth-seeded Stevenson 13-3 in the Class 4A Hoffman Estates Regional championship game. Senior right-hander Chase Lockwood, committed to Illinois State, pitched four scoreless innings, leading the Wildcats (26-10-1) to face Mundelein (22-10) in the Libertyville Sectional semifinals.

The Wildcats amassed nine runs in the third inning, aided by seven walks, three hit batters, and an error. Holmes stood out with a two-run single. ‘I saw a good pitch, swung and put a pretty good bat on it,’ he explains. ‘We made him throw pitches, and he couldn’t make the adjustment, and we did.’

Holmes, hit by a pitch and walked twice, had a batting average of .500 in seven postseason games last season, including a home run in the regional final at the same field. ‘We’re hoping for Carson that lightning strikes again,’ says Libertyville coach Matt Thompson. ‘He has a great swing, good hands. Hitting in the three hole is not easy.’

Following the graduation of three Division I recruits, the Wildcats reorganized their lineup with Holmes as a key offensive player. ‘I go up there and bat for my team,’ Holmes states. ‘I don’t go up there for me. I go up there and see ball, hit ball.’ Entering playoffs with a .412 average last year, Holmes is currently hitting .276 but remains optimistic. ‘I’ve had some ups and downs and have had better years,’ he reflects, ‘but I know I’ve had to keep my head high and have that next-game mentality.’

Beyond batting, Holmes contributes as a vocal leader on the field. ‘He’s a big vocal leader, especially in the outfield,’ notes Libertyville right fielder Jack Cenar. ‘He’s just a really good all-around player and is really important to the team.’

Holmes, also a two-way starter in football, is excited to continue playing. ‘Playing baseball is the best time of the year, without a doubt,’ he shares. ‘It’s really fun. This is the expectation here. Win regionals today, and now it’s giddyap and go for the next step.’

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.