Three-peat within reach for Cadets

Updated: May 9, 2011 6:50PM

Coming off a 2010 season in which his team won over 20 games, a second straight conference title and advanced to the Class 3A sectional championship, Marmion Academy head coach Dave Rakow wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this year’s version.

The Cadets lost their ace (who doubled as a starting outfielder) and four other positional starters to graduation. Not only were they senior leaders, but they also filled out five of the top six spots in the batting order.

He thought highly of who was coming back — “We should be in the running for another conference championship,” he said — but you can never forecast how that many brand new varsity regulars will come together.

And after slow start, it’s been all sunshine and rainbows for the Cadets — despite numerous weather-related postponements.

Marmion entered the weekend 14-5 overall and 10-2 in the Suburban Christian Conference, placing them in perfect position for a third straight conference title.

“I wish I had a story to tell you about something specific that we did this year to bring the team together, but to be honest, I’m not exactly sure why,” Rakow said. “I really haven’t changed very much at all as far as what we’re doing in practice, or what we’re teaching the players compared to years past. All I can say is that I’ve got some very good assistant coaches, and that the players are hearing consistent messages about what we expect from them as individuals and as a team.”

Last year’s No. 2 starter, Tim Tarter, has stepped up to fill the ace role with a 5-0 record and 1.00 ERA. Tarter is also getting it done at the plate, hitting .339 with 16 runs scored. Tyler Friel, who pitched sparingly last season as a junior, has nearly matched his teammate in effective outings. Opponents are hitting just .202 against Friel in 33⅔ innings pitched.

Kyle Kozak is one of the area’s top hitters, hitting .490 with 16 RBI. Fellow newcomer A.J. Friedman has driven in 17 and scored 11 runs while hitting .347.

“The one constant message that I’ve really emphasized is that we need to continue to get better each day,” Rakow said. “Whether it’s a practice or a game, there is always something that we can improve and push ourselves to get better at. We are hoping for a conference championship and another deep run in the playoffs, but I keep reminding the players that nothing is guaranteed and we need to work our butts off to get where we want to be.”

Ace in the hole

Before Aurora Christian beat Montini Catholic in dramatic come-from-behind fashion Thursday afternoon, Eagles coach Andy Zorger was talking about his potential postseason pitching rotation through the regional.

The Eagles are blessed enough to not only have solid high school pitchers like Brent Minta (5-0, 3.57 ERA), Caleb Apker (2-0, 2.33 ERA) and relievers Jake Hanson (21 strikeouts in 17 innings) and Kenny McCracken (21 strikeouts in 15 innings), but they also have two Division I-caliber starters in Mitch Holtz (4-4, 1.66 ERA, 47 Ks) and ace Bobby Kuntzendorf.

When told it must be nice to have a lead dog such as Kuntzendorf to lean on, a smile crept across Zorger’s face.

How could it not?

Later that day, he brought in the junior lefty to shut down the Broncos. Kuntzendorf struck out all six batters he faced.

Heading into today’s start against Marian Central Catholic, Kuntzendorf has posted a ridiculous pitching line: 6-0 record with one save in 11 games (nine starts), six earned runs on 20 hits in 48⅔ innings, 89 strikeouts for a 0.86 ERA and 0.72 WHIP.

In his last two appearances — against Wheaton Academy last Monday and Montini on Thursday — Kuntzendorf has

allowed two hits and struck out 23 in nine innings.

“I feel great,” Kuntzendorf said after the Montini game. “I’ve been keeping in the weight room, running a lot and my arm feels great. I threw 80 pitches (against Wheaton Academy) and I could’ve went five more (against Montini).

I’m feeling really good right now.”

Last hurrah

East Aurora senior Tom Okapal is finishing his high school athletic career with a bang. One of the few three-sport athletes around, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end missed the end of his Tomcats football career with a knee injury, but impressed recruiters enough to sign a letter of intent to play for Robert Morris University in Chicago, a first-year NAIA program.

He returned to help lead the basketball team to a sectional championship game appearance and is now on his way to an all-conference selection in baseball.

Okapal is hitting .320 with five home runs and has emerged as a solid starter for the Tomcats, though East coach Jorge Trejo said he’s fallen victim to fielding miscues and a lack of run support.

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