Jacob Howard delivered a strong performance at the plate, but Lincoln-Way West fell to Southside (AL) 6-4 in a nonconference matchup.
The game took place April 1, 2026, at a neutral site with the venue listed as TBD.
Lincoln-Way West struck first with a run in the opening inning, but Southside answered quickly and pulled ahead with a three-run fourth inning that proved to be the difference. Howard led the Warriors offensively, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, and two RBIs. Michael Pettit also had a big day, finishing 3-for-4 and scoring a run as Lincoln-Way West totaled seven hits. The Warriors chipped away late, scoring once in the fourth and adding two more in the fifth to stay within striking distance, but couldn’t close the gap. Despite the loss, Lincoln-Way West played clean defense, finishing without an error and turning a double play.
On the mound, Jackson Heinlen took the loss, allowing five runs over 3.2 innings. Emmett Carlson provided relief, giving up one run over 2.1 innings while limiting damage and keeping the game within reach.
Lincoln-Way West showed resilience throughout and will look to carry that momentum forward into its next game.
