Powerful experience for Libertyville in Arizona

The high school baseball national record books got an update over Spring Break, and Libertyville had a part in it.

The Wildcats weren't exactly on the right side of history, but they got an up-close viewing of an amazing run by one of their contemporaries.

While playing in the Horizon National Tournament in Arizona, Libertyville ran up against a Miami Gulliver Prep team that features one of the top prospects in the nation. Joe Dunand, who happens to be the nephew of Alex Rodriguez, certainly played like he was going to be the next Major League superstar in his family.

Dunand hit 8 home runs in 8 consecutive at-bats, including 2 against Libertyville. The previous national high school record for home runs in consecutive at-bats was six.

Overall, in 12 at-bats in the tournament, Dunand hit 9 home runs.

"The kid was amazing," Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said of Dunand. "When you looked at him, it seemed like you were looking at Alex Rodriguez. He had a lot of the same mannerisms, and the same look. He's a really good player."

Good showing:

Against some of the top teams in the nation, Libertyville put together a 2-2 record out in Arizona over Spring Break.

The Wildcats beat a top team from Arizona and a team from Colorado that had played in its state championship game four of the last five years. Their two losses came to Dunand's Miami Gulliver Prep team and the No. 2-rated team in Arizona.

"Having not even practiced yet, and going against high-caliber teams with 12 to 15 games under their belts, I think we did pretty well," Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said. "We've got some kids returning from last year who have put some high expectations on themselves."

The Wildcats are coming off a season in which they finished second in the state.

Shortstop Jimmy Govern, and pitchers Andrew Mack and Mitch Townsend were all named to the all-tournament team in Arizona.

Mack pitched both of Libertyville's wins and Townsend was also tough on the mound.

Drawing attention:

Besides the nephew of Alex Rodriguez, one of the other main attractions in Arizona was Libertyville catcher Evan Skoug.

The senior lefty has already committed to TCU, but also has all kinds of pro scouts charting his every move. There were a handful of scouts stationed behind home plate at most of Libertyville's games in Arizona.

"It's not surprising," Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said. "Evan's got a cannon for an arm and he can get home runs and big RBI from that left side, which is where everyone is looking to get a big hitter. Evan's got it all."