Junior Shines on Bengals Baseball Senior Day

On a day reserved for honoring the seniors, it was a junior who stole the spotlight.

Pitching in his first start of the season, Oak Forest’s Kyle Linares threw a complete-game two hitter in the Bengals’ 5-0 win over T-F South on Senior Day Tuesday at Bengal Field.

“I was nervous because it was my first start since freshman year,” Linares said. “I just wanted to make sure I went out there and threw strikes.”

And boy, did he ever.

With 10 strikeouts on a chilly, 57-degree day, Linares kept the Rebels’ hitters guessing all afternoon. His lone mistakes came on singles in the fourth and seventh innings respectively.

“No one knows about Kyle Linares,” Oak Forest head coach Thad Gatton said. “He shut down a pretty good team today in basically his second start of his career. He has a lot of movement and a good curve ball. He can be dangerous for us. He is our x-factor, our ace in the hole.”

A Senior Moment

As the team celebrated its 20th victory of the season behind timely hitting, steller pitching, and a four-run second inning, the day began with a sentimental pre-game tribute to seniors Tim Barry and Bobby Sheppard.

Already Illinois’ all-time career leader in home runs and RBIs, Barry received a special Senior Day gift for his momentous career achievement. Alongside his parents, Tim was presented with the record-breaking home run baseball encased and stitched marking his milestone.  He also signed a ball that will reside in the athletic department’s hall of fame trophy case for future generations of Bengal students and athletes.

“It was exciting getting the baseball today,” Barry said. “It was an honor (to break the record) both individually, and for the school.”

An emotional Kim Barry spoke about her son’s remarkable achievements.

“It meant a great deal,” Kim said. “We’re really sad to see him go.  He’s accomplished a lot and we’re very proud and supportive parents. He’s going to do well.”

Tim plans on pursuing his education and baseball career at Kansas State University.

Along with Barry, senior leader Bobby Sheppard was also honored alongside his parents Bob and Janice.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Janice said. “It really is. To see him at this point in his life, I was really proud.”

 “Bobby’s our leader,” Gatton added. "He’s our go-to kid. He’s our catalyst on the field. He’s the kid hitting behind Tim Barry, and that’s a difficult situation to do. Bobby’s an absolute leader and a kid I go to with any questions or anything that needs to be dealt with.”

Unfortunately for the two seniors, neither would record a base hit during their last regular season home game. Barry finished the game 0-for-3, and reached on an error.  Sheppard went 0-for-2 with a walk.

Cody Murray (2-for-2 with two singles), George Jester (2-for-3), and Jason Hine (1-for-3) paced the 20-4 Bengals.

Oak Forest enters its last weekend of the regular season with a road game Friday at Homewood-Flossmoor.

“We needed this win going into the playoffs,” Sheppard said. “They’re big conference rivals, so this was good.”