By Drake Skleba

 

CHICAGO – In a battle of top 20 teams at Mount Carmel on Wednesday, the No. 15 Caravan edged No. 20 Rockford Boylan, 13-12. In a game that featured 25 runs, 21 hits and 13 walks, the game at Haggerty Field came down to the final out.

 

Mount Carmel (6-1) took a 13-12 lead into the top of the seventh. Caravan head coach Brian Hurry brought in University of Illinois recruit John Kravetz, to close out the game. The junior right-hander blew away the first two Boylan hitters on strikes.

 

A monster showdown took place next. Up to the plate stepped Rockford Boylan senior centerfielder Mike Morman. All the Valparaiso University-bound Morman had done was hit for the cycle in his previous at-bats. The hard-hitting Titan hit a second inning two-run blast that went 70 feet beyond the left-field fence. His two-run triple in the fifth gave him the cycle, having singled in the first inning and doubled in the fourth.

 

Kravetz pitched very carefully to Morman and walked him.

 

“I came in and did my job and threw strikes to the first two hitters, said Kravetz. “Against Morman, I kept it away and just missed off the corner.”

 

With Boylan senior catcher Zach Domin (1-for-5, 2B, RBI) at the plate, Morman stole second and then third base. Kravetz induced Domin to hit a slow roller to junior second baseman Jordan Poilto, who threw out Domin in a bang-bang play at first to end the game.

 

“This was a great win for us,” added Kravetz. “We have a big doubleheader at (No.5) Downers Grove South tomorrow. I am really looking forward to starting against DGS.”

 

Offensive heroes were aplenty for both squads. For Mount Carmel, leadoff man senior Chris

Sujka had a huge night. Sujka had three hits, including a pair of run-producing doubles. Sujka scored three runs as well.

 

“I really felt good in batting practice and brought it to the field tonight,” said Sujka.”This was a big win for us heading into our big showdown at Downers Grove South.”

 

Starting and winning pitcher Frank Kelly (2-0) had a big day at the plate for Mount Carmel. The sophomore left-hander had a pair of run-producing singles.

 

“I had been in a little slump lately so it was good to get some key hits,” said Kelly. “On the mound I wish I could have pitched better but I kept us in the ballgame.”

 

Freshman shortstop Jerry Houston gave the Caravan an early 4-2 lead with a clutch two-run single in the first inning.

 

For Rockford Boylan (3-1), besides the unbelievable performance of Morman, the Titans received fine performances from sophomore first baseman Zach Stoner, who was on base four times, including an RBI double. Junior first baseman Jason Painter blasted a mammoth two-run homer in the third to tie the game at 7. Starting pitcher SIU-bound lefthander Tyler Dray had a pair of hits and scored a run for the Titans.

 

“This was a game you dream about,” said Morman. “We really battled tonight and I am very optimistic about the upcoming season.”

 

“We have been hitting the ball well this season,” said Rockford Boylan head coach Chris Rozanski.”We just didn’t hit well enough tonight. Mike Morman is one heck of a player. He’s a baseball kid and anything positive you say about him is true.”

 

As mentioned, Mount Carmel will travel to No.5 Downers Grove South for a twin-bill at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

 

“A lot of offense today,” said Mount Carmel head coach Brian Hurry. “Chris Sujka did a great job for us in the leadoff spot today. Frank Kelly battled on the mound and kept us in the game. John Kravetz threw strikes and got the save. I really do not care about our record. It’s all about improving from game-to-game.”