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DU QUOIN BASEBALL: Upstate Foe Deals Tribe First Loss

Posted March 30, 2009 11:00 pm

Jeff Profitt

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Despite suffering its first defeat of 2009, plenty of positives can be found in Du Quoin High School's 3-1 baseball loss to Class 4A Mundelein Monday afternoon.

The Indians-held to a season-low five hits by Mustang righthander Jay Mueller-dropped to 3-1 and play West Frankfort on the road Wednesday.

Mundelein, located in the northern reaches of the Chicago suburbs, improved its record to 3-0.

The Mustangs will spend most of this week in Southern Illinois and visit Elverado Wednesday night. Mundelein's enrollment is listed at 2,257 by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

"I don't think we played bad at all," Indians coach Tim Craft said. "I thought we could have had better approaches at the plate today. I could have been the week-long layoff for us, but I think you've got to give their pitcher (Mueller) a lot of credit. He consistently threw three pitches for strikes. When you can do that, its tough to beat."

Kevin Barber set the early tone for Mundelein, starting the game with a solo home run.

The Mustangs-despite striking out 14 times against Indians starter Josh Cushman (1-1) and reliever Trent Bigham-pushed ahead 3-0 on Barber's RBI single in the sixth.

Du Quoin finally broke through during with its lone run in the last of the sixth.

Brandon George singled and moved to second base on J.C. Davis' sacrifice. Cale Bastien then barely missed tying the score, driving a shot high off the rightfield wall. George went to third and Bastien slid into second base, giving the Indians their first real scoring threat.

Cushman then grounded to first for the second out, scoring George. Mueller escaped further damage when Ethan Beasley lined out to rightfield.

In the seventh, Garrett Hopkins singled with two out.

Nick Baskin's deep drive was hauled in at the base of the fence in right centerfield, ending the contest.

"We had a few mistakes on the field and the bases today," Craft admitted. "In a game against a good team you cannot allow any extra opportunities. Mundelein is a good 4A program. You only get better by playing good teams."

Du Quoin had a runner picked off base in the opening inning and committed three costly fielding errors.

Cushman worked five innings and gave just one earned run, fanning nine. Bigham struck out five of the eight batters he faced.

Du Quoin's hurlers walked only three while scattering five hits.

Mueller also pitched a five-hitter, whiffing six.

The Indians' Junior Varsity team was scheduled to visit Carterville Monday, but the contest was cancelled due to wet grounds and at Ernie Reminger Field.

Monday's Pinckneyville vs. Trico game was also lost to the weather. Tuesday, the Panthers are scheduled to visit John A. Logan's diamond for a 4 p.m. game vs. Zion-Benton.

Mundelein 3, Du Quoin 1

Mundelein 101 001 0 - 3 5 0

Du Quoin 000 001 1 - 1 5 3

Mueller and Rizdon. Cushman, Bigham (6) and Jones. W-Mueller. L-Cushman (1-1). Top Hitters-Mundelein: Barber 2-2 (HR, 2BI); Tortonello 1-4. Du Quoin: Bastien 2-2 (2B); Flint 1-3; Hopkins 1-3; George 1-1; Cushman 0-3 (RBI). Records-Mundelein is 3-0. Du Quoin is 3-1.

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