Will Rewers Leads St. Rita to State Championship Bid

Will Rewers delivered an outstanding performance for St. Rita, guiding the Mustangs back to the state championship for the first time since 2019. The senior pitcher experienced a flurry of emotions after the game. “I can’t even put it into words,” Rewers expressed. “I’m surprised I’m not crying right now. I probably will when I get home, but it’ll be tears of joy.”

The St. Ambrose recruit shut down Nazareth’s powerful lineup, throwing a two-hitter and striking out ten to lead St. Rita to a 2-0 triumph in the Class 3A Crestwood Supersectional at Ozinga Field. Julio Gutierrez contributed by going 2-for-4 with a double and a run, while Frank Garofalo singled and scored, helping the Mustangs secure their fifth state trophy with a 28-12 record.

The Mustangs will face East Peoria (27-13), who defeated Geneva 8-1, in a state semifinal at Slammers Stadium in Joliet on Friday at 10 a.m. Gutierrez expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m at a loss for words now. I’m really thrilled to do this with my teammates.”

Rewers restricted Nazareth (29-10) to only two hits: a single in the third and another in the sixth inning. He allowed two walks and hit one batter, conceding no other baserunners.

Rewers successfully retired Florida State recruit Landon Thome twice, holding the highly-regarded MLB prospect and son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome to a flyout, strikeout, and a walk. Reflecting on this, Rewers said, “When I face players like Thome, I ensure no one’s on base. The strikeout in his third at-bat really motivated me and the team.”

Improving his record to 8-1, Rewers boasts a 2.47 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 51 innings. His senior season followed elbow surgery as a freshman. Rewers explained, “It wasn’t full Tommy John but a partial reconstruction. Midway through my sophomore year, I returned and learned to pitch using my whole body.”

“Will’s a top performer,” Gutierrez said. “To pitch a shutout in a supersectional is something only elite pitchers do.” Rewers’ impressive display secured St. Rita coach John Nee’s admiration, who anticipates sharing Rewers’ story with future Mustangs.

Reflecting on his performance, Rewers concluded, “This is the best game of my life. The only thing that could surpass it is playing for a state championship.”