By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

After helping lead Oak Park-River Forest HS to a Class 4A state championship as a junior, 1B Nick Kowalczuk has opened his senior campaign in resounding fashion.

To say that the 6-foot-3, 220-pound University of Michigan recruit is locked in this season would be a gross understatement. In Oak Park’s season-opener against De La Salle last Wednesday, Kowalczuk ripped a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh to give the Huskies an 8-7 victory. Kowalczuk finished the game 2-for-5 with two RBI.

Ho hum.

On Saturday, in a double-header sweep of West Suburban Silver foe Glenbard West, Kowalczuk enjoyed a day to remember. In Game 2, the physically imposing right-handed hitter went 3-for-3 with three home runs and seven RBI. One of his bombs was a grand slam that put the finishing touches on a 10-0 rout. He also hit a two-run bomb and a solo shot.

In Game 1, Kowalczuk went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and was hit by a pitch. All told, he scorched Glenbard West by going 5-for-6 with four extra-base hits and nine RBI.

“He’s locked in,” said Oak Park coach Chris Ledbetter. “Two of those home runs took me back a few years with the old bats. You just don’t see home runs hit like that with the new bats anymore. Two of those balls everyone in the park knew they were gone. He’s driving the ball to all three fields.”

On Thursday, Kowalczuk was walked twice during a loss to Glenbrook South for the defending state champs. For the week, Kowalczuk went 7-for-11 with five extra-base hits, three of which were homers, 11 RBI, two walks and was hit by a pitch.

Not a bad opening week.

The Porsche Exchange salutes Kowalczuk for his hard work and success.

Past Porsche Exchange Player of the Week Winners