Mandel helps keep Mundelein unbeaten

Jared Mandel struck out seven over 5 shutout innings, as Mundelein’s baseball team stayed undefeated with a 5-1 win over Wauconda on Wednesday.

Mundelein (5-0) got 3 hits apiece from Ryan Dolan, Thomas Gandolfi and Will Farmer. Farmer tripled and doubled. One of Dolan’s hits was a triple, while Ryan Borucki also had a double for the Mustangs.

Mandel, a senior lefty, allowed only 2 hits in improving to 2-0. Zach Pawlowski threw the final 2 innings for Mundelein, allowing 1 unearned run.

Wauconda (1-1) got doubles from Brandon Gibis and Ryan Gick.

Libertyville 7, Carmel 2: Darwin Townsend earned the win, and Nick Coutre went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI for the Wildcats.

Townsend had 6 strikeouts in 5 innings.

“All three of his pitches were working and could locate,” coach Jim Schurr said.

Townsend also helped his own cause by driving in a pair of runs. Matt Vogt had 2 RBI, as well, for the Wildcats. Anthony Mack doubled.

Deerfield 17, Grant 11: The Bulldogs lost the slugfest, despite strong offensive games from Jared Helmich (2-for-2, double, walk, hit by pitch, 2 RBI) and Ryan Noda (2-for-3).

Grayslake Central 9, Vernon Hills 4: Kristian Meehan and Jon Gurchak each had 3 hits and combined for 6 RBI, as the host Rams won in six innings.

Grayslake Central (2-0) trailed 4-2 but scored 7 unanswered runs, plating four in the fourth and three in the sixth. Brett Mahr also had a pair of hits for the Rams. Meehan had a triple, while Gurchak hit a double.

Junior Kevin Peloza tossed 2 shutout innings in relief of starter Mark Ash, who tossed the first 4 innings and left with a 6-4 lead.

“Nice comeback win,” Rams coach Troy Whalen said. “Kristian and Jon had some huge hits, and I’m really proud of Peloza. We gave him the ball with a 2-run lead and he made it stand up.”

Vernon Hills (3-2) scored four in the fifth, getting a pair of two-strike doubles from Eric Lang and MJ Crowley.

Warren 7, Waukegan 5: Purdue-bound Pat Kenney went 3-for-3 with a triple, double and an RBI, as the Blue Devils (1-1) hung on.

Adam Reuss earned the win in relief of Kenney, allowing only 1 run over 4 innings with 9 strikeouts and no walks.

Stevenson 11, Crystal Lake Central 1: Jon Savarise went 2-for-3 with a double and 6 RBI, as the visiting Patriots won their season opener.

Zach Novoselsky was 2-for-3 for Stevenson, while Max Golembo also had a double.