South Cook News

Three Lemont High School student-athletes have announced their commitments to play collegiately beginning in Fall 2022. They include softball player Lexi Liptak (Eureka College) and baseball players Austin Belsan (Hope College) and Ethan Painter (McKendree University).

Austin Belsan – Career Highlights

• Is in his second year playing for head coach Brian Storako

• Serving as a team captain as a senior in 2022

• Expected to play a significant role as the team’s starting shortstop

• Made his varsity debut as a junior in 2021, appearing in 30 games

• Batted .278 with six doubles, a triple, 18 RBIs and 27 runs scored

• Hit .412 with runners in scoring position and drew 15 walks while striking out just 11 times in 98 plate appearances

• Was successful on 23-of-24 stolen base attempts

• Lemont finished with a 23-11 record, posted an 18-1 league record to win the South Suburban Conference-Blue Division title, and captured the IHSA Regional

• Plays travel baseball with Top Tier

• Has earned multiple all-tourney accolades playing travel baseball

• Also played varsity boys’ golf and varsity boys’ basketball during his prep career

• High Honor Roll student and a National Merit Commended Student

• Will play for head coach Stu Fritz at Hope College, an NCAA Division III institution that is located in Holland, Mich., and is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Fritz has guided the Flying Dutchmen to nine MIAA titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances in 28 seasons. Hope went 25-15 in 2021

Lexi Liptak – Career Highlights

• Is in her second season playing for head coach Chris Traina

• Serving as a team captain as a senior in 2022

• The coaching staff expects her to battle for a starting position at either second base or right field

• Made her varsity debut as a junior in 2021, appearing in 17 games

• Batted .200, collecting four hits and driving in two runs

• Used frequently as a runner and was perfect on eight stolen base attempts while scoring 11 times

• Lemont posted a 28-5 record and finished as the 2021 IHSA Class 3A State Runner-Up

• The team was a perfect 19-0 in South Suburban Conference play and won 26 of 28 games to close the season

• Plays travel softball for Palos Power Premier

• Will play for head coach Juell Hodges at Eureka College, an NCAA Division III institution that is located in Eureka, Ill., and is a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Hodges is in her first season leading the Red Devils.

Ethan Painter – Career Highlights

• Is in his second year playing for head coach Brian Storako

• Expected to serve as a relief pitcher and reserve infielder

• Made his varsity debut as a junior in 2021, appearing in 11 games

• Went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in limited plate appearances

• Also was perfect on seven stolen base attempts and scored 10 runs

• Lemont finished with a 23-11 record, posted an 18-1 league record to win the South Suburban Conference-Blue Division title, and captured the IHSA Regional

• Plays travel baseball with the Wheatland Ducks

• Has twice been cited as the Tournament MVP while playing travel baseball

• Honor Roll student

• Will play for head coach Andrew Stepp at McKendree University, an NCAA Division II institution that is located in Lebanon, Ill., and is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Stepp is in his third season as coach of the Bearcats.--

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