After transferring to St. Laurence from Timothy Christian, Samuel Chin wasn’t eligible to play last season on the varsity. He spent a year pitching for the junior varsity and getting ready.
Receiving his first crack at playing varsity this spring, the junior left-hander didn’t imagine he would be in the position to start a game with a trip to state on the line.
“Coming in, I didn’t know what kind of role I was going to be in, if I was going to be a starter or a reliever,” Chin said. “I’ve been kind of finding my way, and it was obviously great to get to pitch in a game like this.”
Chin was ready for the moment Monday night, throwing four no-hit innings as the Vikings pulled out a 2-1 victory over Simeon in the Class 3A Crestwood Supersectional at Ozinga Field.
Daniel Coyle produced the game-winning RBI single in the fifth inning for St. Laurence (35-5). Enrique Villanueva added an RBI, while Mickey Lotus singled and scored.
Louisville recruit Cory Les earned the pitching win in relief, throwing three shutout innings.
The Vikings clinched the fifth state trophy in program history and will make their first state appearance since 2021, taking on Troy Triad (33-6) at 10 a.m. Friday in a semifinal at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet.
“It’s surreal,” Les said. “It’s something we’ve been talking about since last year every single day. There was one goal to get here, and now we’re two games away.”
Chin felt the pressure early, walking the first two hitters of the game in facing Simeon (20-13-1). One came around to score. But he settled in from there, allowing just one more walk and no hits in four innings. He struck out three.
Chin said he was honored that pitching coach Adam Lotus had faith in him to make such a big start.
“Coach Adam gave me the ball and trusted me,” Chin said. “I’ve never been in this position before, but he trusted me with it and that meant a lot.
“Even though the first inning was a little rough and I didn’t have my best stuff, I battled and got through four innings.”
After some early season struggles, Chin (4-2) said he gained confidence when he recorded the wins in back-to-back starts against Hanover Central on April 26 and Loyola on May 3, throwing six shutout innings in both.
He certainly has made a believer out of head coach Pete Lotus.
“He pitched great,” Lotus said of Chin. “He didn’t give up a hit. He’s been doing it all year. Going through the Catholic League Blue, he did a really good job pitching against some really good teams.
“Obviously, in a game like this, it’s a different environment, but aside from a couple walks at the start, he did great.”
It was Chin’s ability to shake off the shaky start that most impressed Les.
“It’s definitely his poise,” Les said. “You can see it out there. He doesn’t really get fazed by anything. He walked the first two guys and he didn’t panic. He’s not aiming out there — he’s just letting it go. He’s confident.
“I trust him like a brother out there and I know he’s going to execute.”
With the Vikings down 1-0 in the fourth inning, they loaded the bases with no outs. Villanueva put the ball in play to drive in Les on a fielder’s choice to tie the game.
That was all St. Laurence got that inning, but Coyle delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the fifth.
“It obviously wasn’t our best game, but that’s something we’re going to do,” Villanueva said. “We’re going to outexecute any opponent.”