Downers South breaks out the bats against Wheaton North

As strong as Downers Grove South's baseball team has looked this season, the Mustangs haven't enjoyed a breakout game at the plate.

At least not until Monday.

The Mustangs' bats finally came to life in an 8-2 nonconference win at Wheaton North, a victory that came on the heels of a 5-2 decision over Hinsdale Central earlier in the day.

Downers South improved to 8-1 on the season as Jake Rone notched his fourth win against no losses with a solid 5-inning effort against the Falcons (6-1).

Rone allowed a pair of unearned runs in the first inning after Wheaton North's Mike Small led off with a double, but the senior righty allowed only 3 hits overall while striking out seven, walking none and hitting a batter.

With Dan Walsh going 3-for-4 with a double, 3-run homer and 6 RBI, Rone had plenty of support once the offense awoke in the Mustangs' 3-run top of the fourth.

"I think everyone's been trying to do a little too much, and we kind of figured it out today," said Walsh, who's committed to Miami of Ohio. "We were working to the opposite field real well, and it was a good day for everyone. We've been relying a lot on our pitching, so it's good to get the bats going."

Wheaton North starter Craig Berberich faced the minimum nine batters through three innings, but the top of Downers South's lineup broke through the second time facing him. The first two batters reached base in the fourth inning, one on an error, to set up Walsh's 3-run homer.

The Mustangs added 4 runs in the fifth inning when Jacob Wolf, Walsh and Matt Wivinis laced run-scoring hits. Walsh's RBI single accounted for the final run in the sixth inning.

"We had a big error in that inning with the meat of their order coming up," said Falcons coach Dan Schoessling. "When you're playing a good team, you just can't afford to give them extra outs. And we did that in that inning."

Kyle Engel, Pat Korienek and Wivinis had 2 hits apiece for the Mustangs. Three of Wheaton North's 4 hits were doubles from Small, Justin Swider and Nick Norder, who allowed 2 hits in 2.2 innings of relief.

"That's the way we're supposed to swing the bats, so that was good to see," said Mustangs coach Darren Orel. "That's definitely the best offensive game we've had."