Carrasco leads Mundelein past Wheeling

Updated: April 5, 2011 2:16PM

As the club's No. 4 hitter, Luis Carrasco is expected to deliver with runners on base.

The Mundelein senior did his job on Saturday, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI during a 14-1 rout of host Wheeling (five innings). Two of Carrasco's three hits were line shots: a single to left in the first inning and a two-run double to right-center in the fifth.

"Luis is a key guy for us," said Mustangs coach Todd Parola, whose team improved to 8-0. "He's a guy we have to count on with runners on base. He was a big run producer last year, and we're expecting the same this year."

Carrasco enjoys the responsibility that comes with hitting cleanup.

"I like the challenge," Carrasco said. "It gives me the opportunity to hit more breaking balls and changeups, which is good for me."

The big day was a product of some recent hard work in practice.

"I've been having trouble seeing the ball," Carrasco said. "I've been working a lot in the batting cages. I definitely saw the ball better today."

He wasn't alone - the Mustangs piled up 10 hits and also collected 10 walks.

"We didn't swing at too many bad pitches," Parola noted. "We stayed pretty disciplined at the plate, and we got pitches we liked."

Nik Gastfield found a fastball in his zone in the fourth inning. Gastfield blasted a three-run homer to left-center to boost the lead to 11-1.

The other Mustang standouts included John Devito (2-3, double, RBI), Austin Ozog (2-4, 2 RBI) and D.J Lewis (2-2). Chris Langlie added two RBI (he was 0-4).

All the runs were more than enough for Mundelein's pitching staff. Ben Mahar bumped his record to 3-0 with two strong innings. Mahar did not allow a baserunner while striking out four.

"Ben is throwing strikes and pitching to contact," Parola said. "He's letting his defense work. He's going right after hitters and letting them put the ball in play."

The other Mustangs who took the hill were Ryan Borucki (2 innings, 1 run, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts, two walks) and Carrasco (1 inning, no runs, no hits).

The only highlight for Wheeling (1-2) came in the third inning when David Shapiro blasted a double to right-center to chase home Rick Schwind.

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