Bengals to face red-hot Nazareth

Updated: June 9, 2011 7:24PM

Oak Forest and Nazareth entered the Class 3A playoffs on completely different paths.

The Roadrunners had won 14 of their last 15 games entering the postseason and appeared to be the team it has become — one capable of making a state championship run.

The Bengals limped into the postseason, losing three of their final four and resembling not at all a team capable of winning a title.

Nearly three weeks later, however, both teams find themselves just two wins away from the 3A crown.

Somehow, Oak Forest (27-7) managed to regroup from those tough defeats to end the regular season and win five straight in the postseason.

The Bengals’ next task, however, might be their toughest: A Class 3A semifinal game Friday against Nazareth at 10 a.m.

“It wasn’t the ideal way to finish the regular season but we played some quality competition,” said Oak Forest coach Thad Gatton of setbacks to Homewood-Flossmoor, Morton and Lincoln-Way North. “I think those losses helped us going into the playoffs.”

Oak Forest fans have to feel good about the fact that junior flame-thrower Kyle Funkhouser is on the hill today. The Louisville recruit is 11-0 with an 0.83 ERA. He has allowed just 40 hits over 75‰ innings and has struck out 130.

But he’ll face a Nazareth lineup that has outscored its five playoff opponents by a 39-7 margin. Oak Forest owns a 33-12 advantage against postseason foes.

The Roadrunners (34-7) have some serious pop in the trio of Mike Barajas, Anthony Baldassano and Justin Gonzalez. Barajas is leading the team in average (.403), homers (11) and RBI (51). Gonzalez has 10 homers and 36 RBI, and Baldassano four homers and 35 RBI. Ryan Powers is another power threat with seven long balls.

“They’re obviously a very good team,” Gatton said. “Every team at this point of the playoffs is good. But we feel good having Kyle on the mound.”

Common opponents reveal little. Nazareth beat Reavis 4-1, and split a two-game series against Joliet Catholic. Oak Forest beat Reavis 4-0 and JCA 3-2 in the sectional championship.

Major keys for the Bengals will be hitting and picking up the baseball. If Oak Forest can find a way to force Nazareth to pitch to and not around Tim Barry (.379, 12 HRs, 39 RBI) and Bobby Sheppard (.468, 2 HRs, 35 RBI), it could be the difference in victory or defeat.

Catcher John Zubek is another key for the Bengals. He’ll be expected to set the table as the team’s lead-off hitter and keep Nazareth’s running game in check.

“John has thrown out at least 20 runners this season,” Gatton said. “Our strength is our pitching and defense. Tim and Bobby are our only seniors, but we’re going to need other kids to step up.”

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