Marmion feels right at home against Kaneland

It didn't matter that howling winds were blowing in toward home plate from the east.

It didn't matter that sub-freezing wind chills left players, coaches, fans and even umpires shivering.

Marmion's baseball team was just happy to be home.

After spending their entire 2008 schedule (29 games) on the road due to field renovations, the Cadets enjoyed the cozy comforts of home again during Saturday's rededication of Joe Nardone Field and nonconference clash with Kaneland.

Junior southpaw Mark Peters (1-0) pitched no-hit ball for 4 innings while senior outfielder C.J. Foster delivered the game's key hit - a wind-blown, 2-run double - that sparked a 3-run fourth inning during the Cadets' 5-2 triumph over the visiting Knights (1-1).

Kaneland grabbed a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the top half of the fourth before David Brouch (2-for-3, 2 runs scored) doubled to lead off the bottom of the frame. Matt Milroy (2-for-2) then beat out a bunt single, with Brouch coming around to score the tying run on a throwing error.

Chris Tydd reached on an infield error to put runners on second and third, setting the stage for Foster, whose fly ball sailed out of reach of the Kaneland outfielder, allowing both Milroy and Tydd to score, giving the Cadets a 3-1 lead.

"I was just trying to do my job - to bring in the guy from third," said Foster, one of two returning all-Suburban Catholic Conference players from last year's team that earned its first regional championship since 1969.

"The wind helped me out and we got two (runs) out of it. It was a great way for it to work out for us."

The Cadets (2-0) pushed across a pair of insurance runs in the fifth, benefiting from the fourth of Kaneland's 6 errors.

Knights starting pitcher Joe Gura (0-1) retired 9 of the first 11 batters he faced, striking out 3 before the troublesome fourth inning.

"Joe was rolling there and the defense didn't have to make many plays," said Kaneland coach Brian Aversa. "When he got into a little bit of trouble, our defense kind of let him down.

"It's hard to do that against good teams, and Marmion took advantage of the opportunities we gave them. Our pitching staff is pretty strong and we expect our defense to make plays when they need to."

Junior reliever Jack Gunderson came on to pitch the last 3 innings, allowing a run on 2 hits with a pair of strikeouts as the Cadets overcame the elements - and the Knights.

"On a day like this, you almost feel like you have more vested in it just because of the weather," said Marmion coach Dave Rakow. "It's always nice to get a win but when it's cold and windy it feels extra good."

It also felt extra good to once again enjoy a homefield advantage.

"It is great to have a home field and it is great to just be able to come out here and play at school," said Foster. "It is great to be able to take batting practice and have plenty of time to get prepared as opposed to last year when everything was on a time schedule."

"It's very nice to have a home field for games but it's even nicer for practices," said Rakow. "That's something that never got talked about last year. We had to practice out in the grass all year. Now we're getting the full feel for it and we're getting batting practice before games.

"Just having the home atmosphere is a big advantage compared to last year."