Cullen Winters Aims for Dual Championship Success at Mount Carmel

Cullen Winters is determined to secure victories in both football and baseball during his junior year at Mount Carmel. He played a crucial role as a defensive back when the football team clinched the Class 8A title. Now, his performance as an outfielder is driving the baseball team toward a similar achievement.

Winning it in two sports in one year would be pretty cool, Winters said. I have the experience from football to help me, and hopefully we can get it done in baseball now, too.

Winters ensured his team got closer to this goal by delivering the deciding RBI single in the eighth inning. Mount Carmel secured a 6-3 victory over Sandburg during the Class 4A Crestwood Supersectional at Ozinga Field.

Triton commit Logan Fernandez contributed a key two-run double, while Georgetown recruit Brady Holland added a double, a run, and an RBI. Cowley commit Jonathan Osornio chipped in with a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth. Mount Carmel’s Cullen Winters (14) was seen diving into home plate against Sandburg, ensuring a crucial run on Monday, June 8, 2026.

Pitcher Jake Matise, a Lewis recruit, worked through a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning, later finishing strong in the eighth to win the game. Mount Carmel will compete at 7 p.m. Friday at Slammers Stadium in Joliet, facing the winner of the Schaumburg Supersectional between Lane Tech and Libertyville.

I just needed to get my team out of that to keep us in the game, Matise said regarding the seventh inning. I had to get us out of that jam, any way possible.

Sandburg, with a record of 23-13, leveled the game at 3-3 in the seventh with a crucial hit by Giovanni Longo and a sacrifice fly from Benedictine commit Lucas Rosas. Despite having the bases loaded with two outs, Sandburg couldn’t take the lead as Matise’s pitching forced a flyout.

Winters then stepped up, securing a pivotal single to drive in the go-ahead run. He expressed his determination to excel in this moment:

I knew I had to put the ball in play, Winters stated. I just found a hole. It was a pretty big moment. Then Johnny came through after that. It was awesome.

Winters demonstrated consistency by going 5-for-9 with three RBIs across two games during the Brother Rice Sectional.

This playoff run, Cullen’s been clutch hitting and in the field, Matise commented, highlighting Winters’ defensive prowess in rain-soaked conditions.

Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry praised Winters’ competitive spirit traced back to football:

Cullen is a fierce competitor, Hurry noted. He’s confident, poised, and ready to compete. I’m glad he plays baseball.

Winters shared his preparation tactics:

I did some extra hitting before the St. Laurence game, Winters mentioned. The first pitch I saw that game, I hit a double. That sparked the hot streak.

With his confidence high, Winters is motivated to achieve his dual championship goals by maintaining his momentum.