Energized Plunkett, Libertyville again sink Mundelein

Sometimes athletes are at their best when that adrenaline's pumping.

That was the case Thursday afternoon for Libertyville starting pitcher Andrew Plunkett.

Plunkett pitched a 2-hit complete game as the host Wildcats beat Mundelein 4-3 in North Suburban Lake action. It was the Cats' second win over their rival in as many days.

"It's Mundelein and it's always fun playing them. The adrenaline was really going today," said Plunkett, who fanned 4 and walked three while upping his mark to 4-2 on the mound.

"It's always great beating them, let alone twice in the same week," he added. "I just try to forget about the last inning and throw first-pitch strikes."

Libertyville, now 16-8 overall and 6-4 in the NSC Lake, gave Plunkett all of the support he would need after putting all 4 of its runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth frame.

Up to that point, the Cats were hitting the ball sharply but right at someone. Then, the bats came alive in that fourth inning as cleanup hitter Ben Manski got things started by smacking a 1-out single to right. Coach Jim Schurr then called for a hit-and-run, which was executed perfectly when Sean Ferraro roped a single to right with Manski on the move to third. An errant throw allowed Manski to race home for the first run on what ended up being a close play at the plate.

Then with two outs, Nick Neumann laced a double to the gap in left-center field that scored Ferraro. Hunter Reimers followed with a single to plate Neumann. And Noel Joseph, who was pinch running for Reimers, ultimately scampered home on a wild pitch for the Cats' final run.

"That hit and run was executed well and we had really good approaches at the plate today," said Schurr. "We're finally getting those 3 or 4 more swings in our at-bats."

Mundelein answered back quickly, scoring all 3 of its runs in the top of the ensuing inning.

With one out, Carter Naughton lined a single to right-center to score Reese Dolan, who had reached base on an error to lead things off. Brendan Murphy had walked and later scored after lead-off hitter Sam Osisek had also reached base on an error. The Mustangs' third and final run came when Nick Stricker's groundout to second scored Naughton.

"Give their (Libertyville's) pitchers credit," said Mundelein coach Todd Parola, whose guys fell to 19-7 overall and 7-2 in the Lake. "We've been embarrassed the last two days. Today, we came a little unraveled in that fourth inning. We need to make some adjustments and maybe switch some things up on offense."

Mundelein starting pitcher Nick Brune was locked in a pitcher's duel with Plunkett before being relieved in that pivotal fourth inning. In 3⅔ innings, Brune slipped to 7-2 on the year after allowing 4 runs on 8 hits to go along with a walk and 2 strikeouts.

Meanwhile, forgetting that bad inning worked wonders as Plunkett settled down to retire the final six batters he faced.

At the plate, Ferraro finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored while Chase Patterson also went 2-for-3 with a double.

Weather pending of course, Libertyville will host New Trier today at 4:30 while the Mustangs are back in action Saturday morning when they entertain Montini.