Mundelein rolls by Mather

The Iceman cometh already this baseball season.

Mundelein’s Billy McMahon doesn’t need an ice bag but rather a hot tub after being hit by a pitched ball three times in the Mustangs’ first two games.

This is still mid-March weather after all, despite the sunny skies and mild conditions this week.

McMahon got plunked twice Friday in Mundelein’s 14-2, five-inning win over visiting Mather.

Assistant coach Jeff Sweno noted that Tyler Adams earned the Mustangs’ “Iceman” award each of the last two seasons for leading the team in getting hit by a pitch (10 times last year and 7 in 2009).

“It’s a pretty crazy thing we got going on here,” McMahon said with a grin. “Funny program.”

Getting hit by a fastball — even a breaking ball — isn’t fun, but McMahon just shakes it off.

Getting on base is the important thing.

“I guess it’s worth the price,” McMahon said.

“I guess it means I’m tough,” McMahon added. “Just kidding.”

The senior first baseman/outfielder has been to the plate eight times this season and has reached base six times. He has 5 official at-bats (3 hits).

Against Grant on Monday, he singled twice, grounded out and took a pitched ball off his knee.

Ouch.

“I was limping,” McMahon said.

Against Mather, McMahon doubled in Mundelein’s three-run first, which also featured a triple by John DeVito. McMahon flied out in the second, then got hit twice in the fourth, when the home team sent 11 batters to the plate and scored 5 runs.

McMahon’s elbow absorbed one pitch. He took another fastball off his back shoulder.

But he’s OK. No blood, no problem.

“I’m a ballplayer,” McMahon said with a shrug. “I’m used to it. I’ve been hit four times in one game before, at NIU (travel tournament).”

Ryan Borucki earned the win for Mundelein, allowing 1 run over his 3 innings. Besides McMahon, DeVito, Austin Ozog (4 RBI) and Ben Mahar also had doubles. D.J. Lewis stroked a pair of singles.

So what does the “Iceman” winner receive at season’s end? Rumor is it’s a pizza.

“If it’s a pizza, I’ll be happy,” McMahon said. “But if it’s a bag of ice, that will probably feel better.”