St. Laurence High School’s Jimmy Benson, standing tall at 6-foot-8, began playing golf around 18 months ago and joined the school’s golf team last fall. Although golf didn’t come naturally to Benson, his competitive spirit shone through, much like his pitching in baseball. ‘I’m not very good at golf,’ Benson admitted. ‘But I just like being competitive.’
On the baseball field, Benson’s focus is razor-sharp. ‘My goal every time out is to throw up a zero,’ he stated. He aims to prevent any baserunners, recognizing the threat they pose. This mindset was evident on Saturday, as Benson pitched a flawless game. The TCU commit recorded a perfect game with five strikeouts, leading the Vikings to a 5-0 win over Oak Lawn in the Class 4A St. Laurence Regional final.
The standout performance took place in Burbank, with Benson receiving strong support from his team. Junior catcher Tristan Steger added to the scoreboard with a two-run double. The top-seeded Vikings, now 35-2, are set to face fourth-seeded Mount Carmel, with a record of 27-10, in a Brother Rice Sectional semifinal.
Senior infielder Mickey Lotus contributed both offensively and defensively. He executed an RBI bunt single and stole home to score the first run. His defensive plays in the seventh inning played a crucial role in maintaining Benson’s perfect game.
Oak Lawn’s junior starter Hamza Abdelfattah and senior reliever Eli Kulpinski combined efforts for four strikeouts, allowing only one hit, before St. Laurence broke open the game with a four-run sixth inning.
This win elevated Benson’s record to 7-1, marking his second career no-hitter. Previously, he defeated Mount Carmel on May 10, 2025, with a score of 9-0. Benson threw strikes with outstanding precision, landing 58 of his 84 pitches within the strike zone during the Oak Lawn matchup.
St. Laurence coach Pete Lotus praised Benson for his exceptional command. ‘When he’s throwing strikes, he’s talented,’ Lotus observed. ‘He’s perfect when he pounds the zone and keeps hitters guessing.’
Beyond the field, Benson is admired for his cheerful personality, though once in play, his intensity emerges. Steger noticed Benson’s focus early on. ‘There’s always confidence with Jimmy on the mound,’ Steger said. ‘Even during warm-ups, I know it will be challenging for the opposing team.’
Benson skillfully kept the game under control, only reaching a three-ball count once. Facing new teams, his fastballs, known for their unpredictable movement, prove hard to hit initially.
Although Benson once played basketball, his stature and left-handed pitch guided him to pursue baseball seriously. Reflecting on his height and development, he remarked, ‘I’ve been big since I was little. At about 12 or 13, I realized my potential.’
Last year, Benson’s impressive record of 11-1 helped St. Laurence capture the Class 3A state championship. Finally pitching a perfect game was a significant achievement for him and his team. ‘The most important thing is our win,’ Benson concluded. ‘The goal is always to advance.’
Report by Patrick Z. McGavin, freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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