Baseball: Stevenson hangs on against Mundelein

It might have seemed it was Stevenson's game to win.

Starting pitcher Jacob Rosenkranz pitched no-hit ball for 4 innings on Wednesday in the Patriots' North Suburban Conference rematch with Mundelein, and leadoff hitter Jack Housinger was half way to a cycle after two at-bats.

Mundelein scored its first 2 runs without the benefit of a hit. No matter, the Mustangs had the go-ahead runs in scoring position in the visitors' seventh. That's when Stevenson reliever Nickolas Wang registered the final out, securing the Patriots' 4-3 win.

Stevenson (6-4-1, 2-1) avenged Tuesday's loss, as Mundelein fell to 8-3 and 4-1.

Housinger, who's headed to Xavier University for more baseball next year, told the tale of his friendship with fellow shortstop Ryan Patel of Mundelein.

"He's one of my best friends," Housinger said. "He's an unbelievable guy. We've been playing together since we were 8 years old. Our families are close."

Housinger had the game's first hit. His first 3 at-bats produced one more single and a two-bagger.

Still, the senior wanted to play up his team in this key win.

"I really like this group we have this year," Housinger said. "This team really works well together. We also have a lot of talented juniors."

Winning pitcher Rosenkranz had no complaints about getting pulled with a no-hitter going. He was just pleased that he was able to shut down the potent Mundelein attack.

"Last year, I struggled against Mundelein," Rosenkranz said. "I had a good fastball today, and both my curve and changeup were working. I think we have one of the deepest pitching staffs."

Mundelein hit the scoreboard first. Rosenkranz surrendered a pair of walks in the second. Catcher Mason Schaller drove in the run on a groundball to Housinger.

Stevenson put its bats together in a four-run third inning. It started innocently enough with a walk and bunt single from Caleb Evans. Housinger's ringing double brought in a run. Isaiah Hart hit behind the runner, and his single to right brought in a pair of runs.

Nick Bonk's double brought in the fourth and final run of the game for the Pats.

Housinger's pal, Patel, broke up the no-hitter in the fifth off Wang. In picking up the save, Wang threw a rare fastball.

"I'd say he threw 70 percent curves," Rosenkranz said.

Stevenson threatened to add runs in the home half of the fifth. Housinger added another single, and Hart had a two-bagger chasing him to third. Mundelein brought in left-hander Rahul Champaneri, who fanned two in a row to stop the rally.

Wang retired the first two hitters in the seventh. However, Ben Holly's single kept the game alive before another curveball ended it.