Two more wins for Mundelein
The weather downstate hasn't been exactly balmy, but Mundelein's baseball team has warmed up fast.
The Mustangs improved to 5-0 Wednesday on their annual trip to southern Illinois, as they defeated a team from Kentucky 9-6 in the morning before capturing a 7-1 win over Shawnee at night.
Derek Parola, Logan Reckert and Mike Metz each had 2 hits for Mundelein against Shawnee, while Dillon O'Donoghue (2-0) pitched 5 innings for the win in his first start of the season.
At SIU earlier in the day, Reese Dolan picked up the win for the Mustangs.
Mundelein also won twice Tuesday, beating Pleasant Plains 11-1 at Rent One Ballpark and Cobdan 21-2. Luke Peterson's triple and double led the Mustangs' offensive attack against Pleasant Plains, while Carter Naughton earned the win. Luke Adams doubled twice against Cobdan, which led 2-0 early. J.T. Michalski was the winning pitcher.
Mundelein opened its season Monday with a 6-2 victory over Carbondale, as O'Donoghue got the win in relief. The Mustangs broke open a 2-2 game by scoring 4 runs in the top of the seventh.
Mundelein plays again today, as it faces Lockport at noon at Rent One.
Anna-Jonesboro 6, Vernon Hills 5 (9 inn.): For the second time in as many days, the Cougars found themselves in extra innings.
Wednesday, however, they lost in nine innings.
The good news for the Cougars was that, once again, they clawed back from a seventh-inning deficit to be in a position to win the game. Coach Jay Czarnecki said this was largely due to several role players who stepped up. Included were pitchers Nick Conrad and Ryan Erchinger, who both did an "excellent job" in relief, Czarnecki said.
Jack Duffley had an excellent day at the plate, and sophomore Sam Perlin's diving play at third ended a Wildcat threat that would have ended the game in the eighth inning.
But in the bottom of the ninth, the Wildcats took advantage of 2 hits and an infield miscue to push across the winning run.
Vernon Hills is scheduled to play again tonight to end their southern trip.