Colin Campbell, who commits to Louisville in eighth grade, becomes Brother Rice’s spark plug. ‘Sets the tone.’

Colin Campbell committed to Louisville way back in eighth grade, so there was a big spotlight on him before he even got to Brother Rice.

Handling those kinds of expectations has not always been easy for Campbell, who is now a junior infielder. But he’s learned how to turn what once felt like a burden into a positive.

“It was pressure at first but you just switch it to motivation,” Campbell said. “If some kid talks stuff about you or says you’re overrated or whatever, you just turn that into motivation and use it the right way.”

Campbell has certainly been doing that this spring for the Crusaders.

He continued to provide a spark from the leadoff spot Saturday, coming through with two doubles and two runs to lead visiting Brother Rice to a 12-2 Catholic League Blue win over St. Rita in five innings in Chicago.

Boston College recruit Luca Agne went 2-for-3 with two runs, a double and four RBIs for the Crusaders (17-8, 7-1), while Joey Escobarete finished 3-for-3 with two runs out of the No. 9 spot.

“I’m just trying to put the ball in play, get on base and do something for my team,” Escobarete said. “We’ve got a lot of great hitters in this lineup and we all push each other.”

Texas A&M commit Brady Cunningham struck out seven over three innings, allowing one earned run on three hits to earn the pitching win for Brother Rice. He also added an RBI single.

Nick Cegielski came up with a pinch-hit double and scored a run for St. Rita (15-6, 4-4). Heartland recruit Colin Quinn and Ryan Jones each chipped in with RBI singles.

Campbell, meanwhile, got the Crusaders rolling away. He led off the game with a double down the left field line and then scored on a wild pitch to start a three-run first inning. Brother Rice scored six more times in the second, with Campbell contributing another double.

Campbell is hitting .416 with 25 runs and 15 RBIs this season. He moved to the leadoff spot a couple weeks ago and has been thriving there, according to Brother Rice coach Sean McBride.

“He’s an energy player,” McBride said of Campbell. “When he’s going, and he has been all year, I think our team feeds off that. The last three games, he’s led off the game and smoked some balls.

“I think that sets the tone.”

Campbell has learned to put less pressure on himself. And while becoming a high-major recruit in eighth grade meant high expectations, it has taken a weight off his shoulders in another way.

“It’s been really nice knowing where I’m going and not having to worry about it,” Campbell said. “Some kids are under all this pressure to try to do big things to get recruited.

“I’ve never had that pressure and I can just play. And Louisville is a great school and a great baseball program, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

Campbell grew up around baseball. His interest in the game sparked from watching his older brother, Nick, compete at Stagg and Joliet Junior College.

“I just kind of fell in love with the game then,” Colin said. “All my siblings did go to Stagg, but I just think Brother Rice was the right spot for me.

“Coming in here, there’s great competition and I love that. It just makes you a better player.”

Escobarete is glad Campbell made the choice to become a Crusader. He’s now their spark plug.

“Colin is getting on base mostly every time,” Escobarete said. “It really gets our energy going and gets our momentum rolling.”

And Campbell, for one, is definitely having fun playing that role.

“I kind of like being the leadoff guy,” Campbell said. “You set the tone for everybody.

“Starting this game with a leadoff double, it just sets the tone all day.”