No. 7 Lemont bombs No. 4 Mount Carmel in Bajenski Tourney

April 10, 2014

By Drake Skleba
Senior Writer

CRESTWOOD - In a battle between two of the state’s best teams, No.7 Lemont scored five times in the fifth and sixth innings to pummel the defending Class 4A State Champions from Mount Carmel, 11-2. In a first-round matchup of the the 2014 Steven M. Bajenski Memorial Tournament, the Indians used the long-ball to advance to the second round of the tournament on May 22.

Lemont (7-0) exploded for five runs in the top of the fifth inning, blowing open a 1-1 pitchers’ duel between Lemont’s LSU-bound lefty Jake Latz and Mount Carmel’s junior right-hander Nelson Munoz.

Munoz struck out the first two Indian batters in the fifth on six pitches. With an 0-2 count, Lemont’s leadoffman Ryan Folliard (3-for-4, 3R, 3B) laced a single to center. Senior Charlie Wright (2-for-3, 3RBI) walked and that brought LSU-bound catcher Mike Papierski to the plate. Munoz quickly got ahead of Papierski at 1-2. Munoz’s next pitch, however, soared into the Crestwood night over the right-field fence for a three-run bomb and a 4-1 Lemont lead.

“Jake (Latz) threw four quality innings and Charlie (Wright) finished the game strong,” said Papierski.” It felt real good to hit the big homer and then Jake (Terrazas) hit his bomb and then the next inning everybody hit.”

Senior Mike Wisz (3-for4,2B, 3RBI) followed with a single. Senior 1B Jake Terrazas launched a drive that soared over the centerfield fence and the Indians led 6-1.

“When we first saw this game on our schedule we were already looking forward to playing Mount Carmel,” said Terrazas. “Mike’s three-run homer really fired me up to hit my two-run shot.”

The Indians plated five more runs in the sixth to complete the bombardment.

For Latz (1-0), the game was his first start of the 2014 campaign. On a 70-pitch count, he pitched four innings, allowed no earned runs and three hits with nine punch-outs.

“I was very happy with my first start,” said Latz. “I felt really good on the mound and threw the ball well. I want to thank Mike (Papierski) and Jake (Terrazas) for their home runs - that allowed me to pick up the win.”

Mount Carmel (6-2) was led by Michigan recruit junior second baseman Ako Thomas, who doubled, tripled, scored a run and drove home a run for the Caravan.

“It was an almost perfect game for us,” said Lemont head coach Brian Storoko. “Jake and Charlie pitched well for us and then Mike really got our bats going with his big hit. We are very confident in our ability as a team and have really started the season playing very well.”

No. 7 Lemont bombs No. 4 Mount Carmel in Bajenski Tourney

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