By Marty Maciaszek

There was no way the kid nicknamed "Ballgame" was not going to take the ball for what was at the time the biggest baseball game in Prospect history.

The morning of the Knights’ first appearance in a supersectional, head coach Ross Giusti was a bit leery about starting junior ace Jack Landwehr on the mound.

Giusti’s apprehension had nothing to do with Landwehr’s ability to handle such a pressure-packed moment. It had everything to do with handling a workload where he would be coming back on three days’ rest after throwing a 125-pitch, complete-game sectional semifinal victory.

"I said, ‘How do you feel and what do you want to do?’" Giusti said. "He said, ‘What do you think I want to do? I want the ball. Give it to me.’"

What Landwehr gave the Knights was another complete-game display of competitiveness and ability in an 8-2 victory over No. 5 Glenbrook North in a Class 4A supersectional in Rockford.

And on the final day of the high school baseball season, Landwehr completed a magical season for himself and Prospect as the program claimed its first state trophy by taking third place with a 2-1 victory over No. 6 Mount Carmel.

"That kid is the most incredible competitor I’ve ever had," said Giusti.

It translated into an amazing season for Landwehr whether he was pitching, hitting or playing third base. As one of the most coveted uncommitted Class of 2012 prospects, Landwehr posted a 14-2 record on the mound to shatter the 24-year-old single-season Prospect victory record of 11. He had a 2.38 ERA with 114 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 85.1 innings.

At the plate, Landwehr served as the team’s cleanup hitter, finishing with a .443 batting average with 14 doubles, 3 homers and 45 RBI. He struck out only 8 times in 122 at-bats.

When Landwehr played third base he was the guy Prospect wanted the ball hit to as he provided Gold Glove-caliber defense.

But Landwehr would probably go to any position just as long as he was playing.

"I love baseball and I want to play every day," said Landwehr, who earned Prep Baseball Report first team All-State honors. "If I had a game every day it would be great. I love practicing and being with the guys."

It didn’t take long for Landwehr to show he could play with the older guys. Landwehr started his sophomore season with his classmates as Giusti didn’t see a need to rush him to a varsity team that had plenty of experienced seniors and juniors.

Landwehr was definitely not on a level playing field with the Prospect underclassmen. Trevor Stocking, who was the school’s sophomore coach last year before joining the varsity as an assistant this season, gave Giusti a clear scouting report.

"Stocking came up after the second week and said, ‘You have to bring him up,’" Giusti said. "He said it was embarrassing he’s even playing at this level."

Landwehr made a lasting impression in his varsity debut. In a nonconference game at Grant, he got a couple of hits and allowed only two hits and an unearned run in 5 innings of relief to get the victory.

"Going into the summer before my sophomore year I met with coach Stocking and he said I had a great chance of being a varsity baseball player and I had to work at it," Landwehr said. "Before I got moved up I played my heart out and Stocking told Giusti to give this guy a chance, he could be a big help to you."

Little did anyone know just how much Landwehr would end up helping the Knights. His sophomore year was a nice prelude, as he hit .361 with 19 RBI and went 5-0 on the mound with an 0.92 ERA in 30.1 innings.

But one of the best seasons in Prospect history was still ahead at a school that produced big-league players Dave Kingman and Tom Lundstedt and Cubs manager Mike Quade. A season where nothing Landwehr did surprised anyone.

"Jack is just Jack — you can’t tell that kid no," said Prospect senior outfielder Peter Bonahoom, who set the school’s career home run record after the supersectional victory. "He could have thrown 150 pitches and we’d still be confident with him on the mound. The kid is unbelievable."

His final game of the season on the mound at Joliet’s Silver Cross Field was further proof. Landwehr allowed only two hits in the final four innings, threw 68 of his 100 pitches for strikes, didn’t go to a three-ball count on a Mt. Carmel hitter and hit 88 mph on the stadium radar gun in the seventh inning.

"I’ve always been a competitor," Landwehr said. "Ask any of my friends who’ve played backyard football with me. I’ve always had the competitiveness in me."

Said Giusti: "He won’t allow other kids to take the field if they aren’t enjoying the game. As much as he is a competitor, he enjoys being on the field every time he steps on it. And so many people have said they really enjoy watching No. 18."