Operating outside of spotlight works as Logan Fernandez leads Mount Carmel to state. ‘Never let that faze me.’

In a Mount Carmel lineup featuring four high-major Division I recruits, it can be easy to overlook Logan Fernandez.

Fernandez, a senior outfielder, is a Triton commit. Compared to some of his teammates, he does not have the most imposing physical presence. But he’s the Caravan’s No. 3 hitter for a reason.

And he’s used to being underestimated.

“I’m just a kid from the city,” Fernandez said. “I’ve always been like that. I’ve always been surrounded by kids who have a little more of a spotlight than me. I’ve never let that faze me.

“I just go out there and play ball.”

Fernandez has been a consistent star for the Caravan (30-10), who are set to take on Libertyville (29-10-1) at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 4A state semifinal at Slammers Stadium in Joliet.

He ranks third on the team in batting average at .385 and RBIs with 39 and is fourth in runs with 33. He also has hit seven doubles and two homers.

“I’m just keeping it simple,” Fernandez said. “It’s sticking with what works and trying not to think too much. I feel like people get caught up in their own heads and I just try to go play in dummy mode. Not thinking about it.”

A prime example of what can happen when opponents underestimate Fernandez occurred Monday in Mount Carmel’s 6-3 eight-inning win over Sandburg in the Crestwood Supersectional.

With a runner on second and two outs in the fifth, Sandburg elected to intentionally walk Illinois recruit Joey Ireland to get to Fernandez.

Fernandez responded by ripping a two-run double down the left field line. That gave Mount Carmel a 3-0 lead before the Eagles rallied late to force extra innings.

“I took that as disrespect, you know?” Fernandez said. “I didn’t like it. It’s kind of hard to intentionally walk anybody on our team the way our lineup is. One through nine, we’re all hitters and everybody can get it done.”

Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry always has faith that Fernandez will do the job.

“Logan has been such a great hitter for us,” Hurry said. “He’s so steady and consistent and he has come through for us so many times.”

Fernandez actually started high school at Jones before transferring to Mount Carmel after his freshman year.

“I played travel ball with some of the Mount Carmel guys and I knew how good of a team they had and I was excited to be a part of it,” Fernandez said. “Now it’s like I never transferred in. It feels like I’ve been here the whole time.”

Fernandez and several other members of the senior-laden Caravan were on varsity as sophomores in 2024 when they lost to eventual 4A state champion Providence in a supersectional.

Now, they have brought the program back to state for the first time since 2015.

“It really showed that over the last two years, the boys got better,” Fernandez said. “We’re all better. We’re all seniors. This was the expected outcome for us this time.”

Mount Carmel was seeded fourth in the Brother Rice Sectional and had to knock out highly touted St. Laurence and the host Crusaders just to get to the supersectional before the wild, long night against Sandburg.

Senior pitcher Jake Matise, a Lewis recruit, knows it’s been quite a ride.

“It’s draining but we have two more to win,” Matise said. “We’re going to put everything we have into these last two games to win state.”

Fernandez, for one, is ready to play his part.

“I love this team and all these guys and it means everything to get to state with them,” he said. “We know how good of a team we have and we just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”