In an unforgettable moment for Brother Rice, Treylan Webster delivered a speech that echoed the spirit of Jason Heyward’s famous address during a rain delay in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. On a crucial Wednesday night, with Brother Rice’s season on the verge of collapsing, Webster inspired his teammates with heartfelt words.
‘It’s always good to have someone talking to you,’ Webster said. ‘In those moments, I remind them, ‘You’ve worked all your life for this. It’s not time to panic. We’ve got each other and we’re going to do it together.”
Webster not only motivated his team, he demonstrated his determination on the field. With two outs, he hit a game-tying RBI infield single, sparking the Crusaders to overcome a four-run deficit. This led to a 7-6 win over Reavis in eight innings during the Class 4A Brother Rice Sectional semifinal in Chicago.
Brady Cunningham, committed to Texas A&M, launched the comeback with a three-run homer in the seventh inning. Colin Campbell, heading to Louisville, walked and scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the eighth. The Crusaders clinched their victory, moving them forward in their playoff run.
Aidan Dillon contributed by pitching three hitless innings to secure the win. ‘We had faith that it was going to happen,’ Cunningham stated. ‘Everyone was staying together, rooting for each other.’
The Crusaders, ranked second, will face Mount Carmel in the sectional championship on Saturday. Jonathan Liesen of Reavis, a Morton College recruit, showcased his skills with a home run and three runs scored.
As the game neared its end, Reavis threatened an upset with Webster at bat and the bases loaded. His timely hit, a high chopper, turned the tide for Brother Rice.
‘Obviously, there were a little nerves but they were good nerves,’ Webster reflected. ‘I knew I was going to come through for my team. It was not pretty, but I got it done.’
The admiration for Webster runs deep among his teammates. ‘Trey’s been our guy all year,’ Cunningham said. ‘He supports everyone and keeps us motivated.’
Sean McBride, Brother Rice’s coach, has witnessed Webster’s transformation. ‘Trey’s grown into this incredible leader and the baseball gods reward that.’
Webster’s journey in sports began at age five with baseball and later included wrestling, which honed his resilience. ‘In wrestling, you learn to get back up after a setback. They beat us the first half of the game but you never quit.’
Webster’s actions ensured the Crusaders fought back. ‘I got to first base and everyone’s cheering. We live to see another day,’ he said.
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