Zubek, Oak Forest eyeing state title

Updated: June 7, 2011 6:50PM

When John Zubek visited Oak Forest High School as a child, he’d stare at the team photo of the Class AA 1985 state title squad and dream of one day duplicating their championship feat.

“It inspired me,” said Zubek, the Bengals junior catcher. “I’ve been looking up to the Oak Forest baseball program my whole life. I used to come and watch games when I was little. I’d go inside the school and see the picture and trophy from the state championship team. I looked up to those guys.”

Zubek and the Bengals are two wins away from joining the 1985 team on the Wall of Fame. Oak Forest takes on Nazareth Friday at 10 a.m. in a Class 3A semifinal. A win there and it’s on to the title game Saturday at 11 a.m.

If the Bengals (27-7) are going to pull off the feat, they’ll likely have to follow the recipe that has proven effective thus far: Everyone contributing.

While seniors Tim Barry and Bobby Sheppard have garnered much of the spotlight — and deservedly so based on their immense production — it’s unlikely the Bengals would be in position to win the program’s second state championship and first since 1985 without the contributions of their underclassmen.

“I said it three months ago, ‘for us to get this far it’s going to be because of the kids no one knows about,’” Oak Forest coach Thad Gatton said. “Everybody knew about Barry and Sheppard. We had to have other guys step up and they have.”

Simply stated, the Bengals junior class has been spectacular, led by Louisville recruit Kyle Funkhouser.

The right-hander is 11-0 and has struck out 130 batters in just 75 2/3 innings.

“Funk has been incredible,” Gatton admitted. “He’s the real deal.”

So is Zubek. As the mainstay at the top of the Bengals batting order, he’s ignited numerous rallies and is hitting .321 with 29 runs scored. He’s also been stellar behind the dish, keeping opposing baserunners at bay and providing a calming influence on a relatively young pitching staff.

“I’ve been catching since I was seven or eight years old,” said Zubek, a Hille Middle School graduate. “I take great pride in my catching. I like being in charge of the pitching staff and taking control on the field.”

Funk and Zubek haven’t been the only members of the 2012 class producing.

Outfielder Cody Murray has been a constant source of production in the middle of the lineup. He’s hitting .326 with seven doubles and 20 RBI.

Infielder George Jester has come through often with timely hits and is batting .374.

Kyle Linares is hitting at a .351 clip with 29 RBI. Solid numbers, for sure. But Linares’ biggest contribution has come on the mound, where he’s 5-0, including two wins in the postseason.

Linares battled tendinitis much of the year. It forced Gatton and his staff to bring the right-hander along slowly, easing him along until he was optimum level for the postseason.

“Shutting Kyle down early and pitching him against Rich Central in the semis was our plan all along,” Gatton said. “We’re a young team that really doesn’t know how to be scared.”

Then there’s Brian Richard, a freshman.

At .387, his left-handed bat has been a constant plus in the No. 2 hole in the lineup. He’s also eaten some innings on the mound.

“Richard has had a really good year,” Gatton said. “He’s only 14 or 15 years old and he’s batting No. 2 for one of the top teams in the state. I think that speaks volumes.”

As vital as the young guys production has been, they realize the benefits of having Barry and Sheppard in the lineup.

“Having those guys takes the eye off of you,” said Murray, an Arbor Park Middle School grad. “We haven’t had as much pressure on us and it’s allowed us to settle into our roles.”

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