Eagles' Kuntzendorf displays ‘ace' mentality

Updated: April 25, 2011 6:22AM

Heading into the 2011 season, the Beacon-News coverage area program with the biggest spotlight on it is the Aurora Christian Eagles, a team full of promising juniors that returned nearly every starter from a year ago.

One of last year's "super sophomores" was Bobby Kuntzendorf, who burst onto the scene with a 5-2 record and sparkling 0.82 ERA in 12 appearances.

He quickly became the Eagles' ace last season, but he says he felt no additional pressure this year in trying to lead a staff that many believe can take the 11-3 Eagles on a Class 2A state title run.

"No, not at all," Kuntzendorf said. "We've gotten so much closer this year and everyone expects the best effort from each other and it seems like we're all giving each other that. I didn't have much pressure because we all kind of knew what everybody was going to give each other."

The Eagles have seen nothing less than Kuntzendorf's best thus far, as he's producing a nearly carbon-copy season from last year. Through six starts, Kuntzendorf is 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA and an almost unbelievable 0.78 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched).

While the numbers are eerily similar to this point, there is one big difference in the lefty - he is noticeably bigger after working out to increase his velocity, but the added muscle hasn't affected his mechanics, his uncanny control or ability to change speeds.

"My main focus in the offseason was getting stronger, gaining a little bit more velocity and getting in the weight room," he said. "I've been able to see the difference."

In 29⅔ innings worked, he's allowed just four earned runs on 13 hits while striking out 54.

"He just doesn't get hit hard," Eagles coach Andy Zorger said. "He finds a way to get outs. It's his ability to throw everything for a strike. He just knows how to pitch, which is the best way I can describe it."

Kuntzendorf said this coming summer will be an important one in his college recruitment, but he has already made a visit to the University of Illinois-Chicago and will take a trip to Central Michigan University in the near future.

Zorger said college coaches are able to see beyond the radar gun or Kuntzendorf's 6-foot, 180-pound frame - they see his ability to work in and around the strike zone as well as his "ace" mentality.

"The confidence is extremely high every time he's out there," Zorger said. "The kids sense it and we as coaches sense it. We know that we're going to have an opportunity to win. We expect to win every time he goes out. That's the mindset we have and that he brings to the table."

Patel becoming a force for Titans

Junior Neel Patel is enjoying a fine season so far on the mound for IMSA, which is keeping the Titans in the race in the Northeastern Athletic Conference. The 6-foot right-hander is 3-0 in the conference and 4-1 overall and has allowed just four earned runs on the year, good for a 1.47 ERA.

Patel has been getting it done with remarkable control, striking out 33 while walking just three.

Corral, Lucchetti catch fire

Plano's Ivan Corral put an exclamation point on a successful week for the first place Reapers last week when he went 5-for-5 and tied the school record for hits in a game in a win over Seneca. He also homered twice in the 14-0 win, also tying a school record. He finished the game with 12 total bases and six RBI. Heading into play this week, Corral is hitting .475 with four homers and 19 RBI.

In Yorkville, center fielder Luke Lucchetti went 7-for-12 in a three-game Northern Illinois Big 12 conference series with Morris. From the leadoff spot, the senior's week included two home runs, two stolen bases, five runs scored and seven RBI. On the year, he's hitting .467 with a .520 OBP. He's also driven in 14 while scoring 18 times.

Oswego lineup doesn't skip a beat

Despite losing Player of the Year Jordan Frieders and the heart of a batting order that beat opponents into submission all last spring, the Oswego offense hasn't slowed down at all in 2011.

Through 11 games, Scott Allegretti is hitting .485 with 10 RBI and a 1.292 OPS. John Hugunin has 15 runs scored and is hitting .465. Parker Meek has 12 RBI and is hitting .394.

Tyler Schwerin (.355) and Kevin Tidaback (.343) are also making life hard on opposing pitchers.

Friendly duel at Kaneland

A couple of hitters for the Knights are having a friendly competition over who will be able to call himself the best hitter on the team.

Joe Camiliere (.414 avg., .571 OBP, 17 runs) is setting the table for Sam Komel and Bobby Thorson, and the two are having no trouble bringing him thus far, as Komel has 16 RBI to Thorson's 12.

Komel is hitting .406 with 13 hits on the season to Thorson's .452 average and 14 hits.

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