For three straight years, Noah Sloane faced the same crushing news: he didn't make the Lincoln-Way Central baseball team. Most athletes would have walked away. But Sloane, now a senior, did something remarkable—he got stronger, faster, and refused to give up.

This spring, Sloane finally stepped onto the field as a Knight for the very first time. And not just as any player—he's become one of the team's most reliable pitchers. His journey from three-time cut to college commit (he signed with Wisconsin-Platteville) is the kind of underdog story that reminds us why we love sports.

"You have to be persistent," Sloane said. "My mom and dad pushed me through it. There were a lot of times where I wanted to quit, but they pushed me through."

That persistence paid off in a big way on Friday. The senior right-hander delivered another strong performance, striking out three and allowing just three earned runs over four innings to earn the win as the visiting Knights held on for a 4-3 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over Andrew in Tinley Park.

Sloane's transformation didn't happen overnight. After being told he was "too small" in his first two attempts, the former cross country runner hit the weight room hard, packing on 25 pounds of muscle. That extra strength boosted his fastball velocity and caught the attention of college scouts last summer.

Illinois Wesleyan recruit Conor McCabe provided the offensive spark, going 2-for-4 with a three-run double in the fifth inning to put the Knights (13-11, 6-5) ahead for good. McCabe, who's watched Sloane's journey up close, couldn't be happier for his teammate.

"He's been a top three guy in this rotation for the whole season," McCabe said. "It's pretty awesome to see. He's got a great story after not making the team. He's got some grit. He didn't give up and it's showing on the field."

Luke Tingley finished 3-for-3 with a home run for Lincoln-Way Central, while Devan Lovingfoss pitched the final three innings without allowing a run to earn the save. On the other side, Connor Vrastil went 2-for-2 with a double, a run, and an RBI for Andrew (11-14, 2-9), while Nolan Kendall doubled and scored.

For Sloane, now 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings, every inning on the mound is a reminder of how far he's come. "Glad I stuck with it," he said. And judging by his performance this season, so are his teammates.