Cullen Winters’ Multi-Sport Success at Mount Carmel

Cullen Winters aims to win championships in both football and baseball during his junior year at Mount Carmel. As a defensive back, Winters was instrumental in helping the football team secure the Class 8A title in the fall. Now his talents in baseball have brought the team close to achieving similar success.

Winters expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Winning it in two sports in one year would be pretty cool. I have the experience from football to help me, and hopefully we can get it done in baseball now, too.” His performance on the baseball field has been pivotal in their success. In a recent game, Winters hit the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning, leading Mount Carmel to a 6-3 victory over Sandburg in the Class 4A Crestwood Supersectional at Ozinga Field.

Triton-bound Logan Fernandez contributed with a two-run double, while Brady Holland, who is committed to Georgetown, added a double, a run, and an RBI. Jonathan Osornio, committed to Cowley, also delivered a crucial pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth inning.

“I knew I had to put the ball in play,” Winters said. “I just found a hole. It was a pretty big moment. Then Johnny (Osornio) came through after that. It was awesome.”

Lewis recruit Jake Matise played a crucial role, managing to escape a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning before securing the win in the eighth. The victory sets the stage for Mount Carmel to play on Friday at Slammers Stadium in Joliet in a state semifinal.

Sandburg, which saw a two-run homer from Giovanni Longo, kept the game tied at 3-3 in the seventh. Nick Seaman’s single and Lucas Rosas’s sacrifice fly contributed to the tie before Matise’s efforts brought Mount Carmel back into contention.

Mount Carmel’s coach, Brian Hurry, acknowledged Winters’ competitive spirit, seeing his transition from football to baseball. “Cullen is a fierce competitor,” Hurry noted. “His mentality, confidence, and poise have translated well into baseball.”

Winters also highlighted his preparation, saying, “I did some extra hitting before the St. Laurence game, and the first pitch I saw, I hit a double.” His contributions include going 5-for-9 with three RBIs in games at the Brother Rice Sectional.

As Mount Carmel seeks a state championship, Winters remains a crucial asset. Coach Hurry and the team continue to rely on his skills and determination to bring home another title.