Mundelein aims for smooth finale
The state tournament hasn’t started, nor is the race for the North Suburban Conference title in its final nerve-wracking days, yet Mundelein baseball coach Todd Parola may get more stressed at this point in the season than any other.
Mundelein is typically one of the first high schools in Lake County to end its school year. In fact, the seniors, who get out even earlier than the rest of the student body, are preparing for finals now and will be going to prom tonight.
In less than two weeks, the seniors will be totally done with school and also will have graduated. Getting them to stay zeroed in on the fact that there is still about a month’s worth of baseball to play has been one of Parola’s biggest challenge year in and year out.
“That’s always been tough,” Parola said. “This time of year is when it’s time to keep the seniors focused. We try to persuade them to keep a similar routine, to get to sleep at a decent time. But if the only thing they have the next day is a baseball practice that starts at 3 in the afternoon, you know that’s not always going to happen. We’ve had some guys come to practice at 3 and it looks like they woke up at 2:30 after being out late the night before.
“Once our guys graduate, we’re never sure what’s going to happen with the seniors for the rest of the season.”
The good news for Parola, whose team is 19-3 and sitting in first place in the NSC Lake Division with a spotless 6-0 record, is that he’s got a pretty good vibe about this current group. He says that his seniors have been unusually focused and that they have never shown a let-up in leadership or dedication all season.
“They’ve never been unfocused and they’ve shown no indication of becoming that way either,” Parola said. “This group of seniors has a great attitude and a really good approach to the game.”
Infielder Chris Maranto, pitcher Ryan Borucki, catcher Jordan Wiegold and outfielders Bryan Wiener and Jordan Bregenzer are among those seniors who have set a business-like tone in the Mustangs’ dugout.
“I like all the leadership those guys are giving us,” Parola said. “They want to end their senior year in a big way.”
Borucki double-checking:
For someone who is in line for postseason Tommy John surgery to repair a ligament tear in his elbow, Ryan Borucki is feeling pretty good.
So good, in fact, that he’s going back to the doctor soon for a re-check and possible second opinion.
The Mundelein pitcher hasn’t hit the mound since an MRI gave him the bad news earlier this month that his high school pitching career was over, but at this point, he is practically pain free and is functioning well in his new role as first baseman.
“Ryan tells me that his arm feels great,” Mundelein coach Todd Parola said. “It’s pretty unusual for a kid with a Tommy John injury to be pain-free. I think that’s why he wants to go see a specialist, so they can take another look.”
Even though the Iowa-bound Borucki is no longer the Mustangs’ ace, he is still producing like a top-tier player. He is one of the team’s leading hitters and has been a rock in the infield.
“He’s had a great attitude and he’s continued to be a major contributor,” Parola said of Borucki. “He’s been a big reason for our success.”
Showdown looming:
Mundelein enjoyed its bye week in North Suburban Conference Lake Division play this week.
But there will be no easing back into the action for the Mustangs. They’ll be faced with their stiffest test of the season next week with two games against Libertyville, a team that is nipping at their heels.
Mundelein is 19-3 overall and 6-0 in Lake Division play with sweeps over Lake Forest, Lake Zurich and Warren. But at 14-6 overall and 5-1 in the Lake, Libertyville is red-hot with two wins this week over perennial division power Stevenson.
“Next week is huge for us,” Mundelein coach Todd Parola said. “Coming off a bye week, not to mention testing and our prom, I hope we’re ready for it.”