Mundelein swings into action
When asked to reflect on a better day in baseball, Mundelein outfielder Torr Randau drifted back to when he was a 12-year-old.
“I hit 3 homers in a game in Little League,” Randau said.
No, Randau didn’t do it again. But it surely was another day to remember.
After grounding out to second to open his day at Libertyville on Tuesday, Randau batted three times with the sacks loaded. He cleared the bases with a second-inning double. He roped a hit to center to drive home two more runs in the third. He again sharply singled home a run in the fourth.
Randau drove home 6 runs in five innings as Mundelein (21-3, 7-0) made a huge statement in the first meeting of these NSC clubs with a 15-3 thrashing of the Wildcats.
“This is what we talk about all of us hitting and taking good swings,” Randau said. “This was a big game for the conference.”
Three hitters into this one, Mundelein charged ahead as Chris Maranto took a Kyle Cibrario pitch over the 330-foot sign in right-center.
Libertyville (14-8, 5-2) chopped that lead in half in the home half of the first. Anthony Mack (2-for-3) had the lone hit of the frame for the home team.
By the time Mundelein finished batting in the second inning, the game was out of hand. Randau’s 3-run double was the big blow. Ryan Dolan had the homer of the inning. Mitchell Schulewitz, who scored 3 runs while batting ninth, chipped in an RBI single.
“We were obviously ready for this game,” said Mundelein coach Todd Parola. “We had a good day at the plate up and down the lineup.”
Mundelein’s offense wasn’t done. Hitting the homer in the third inning was Bryan Wiener, and it was a big blast to left. Randau had his 2-run single, and shortstop Will Farmer, who was introduced to the crowd as Will Ferrell, had a 2-run single in the 3-run fifth inning.
With his offense in high gear, winning pitcher Jared Mandel started cruising. He surrendered solo homers to both Darwin Townsend and catcher Evan Skoug.
“He had good stuff today,” Parola said. “But when we put up a seven-spot in the second inning, he settled down.”
Libertyville coach Jim Schurr wasn’t thrilled with his team’s pitching on this day. He used three pitchers in the five innings.
“They were hitting ahead on the count and sitting on the fastball,” Schurr said.
Even with this romp in hand, the Mustangs did have a scary moment. Connor O’Donoghue, a reserve outfielder, attempted a miracle catch in the fifth inning but toppled over the fence in the fifth inning.
“He made a great effort,’’ Parola said.
Both an ambulance and fire engine came to the rescue as O’Donoghue landed awkwardly.
“He was conscience and laughing and joking,’’ Parola said.