After experiencing something as traumatic as an umpire having a heart-attack during one of their games last week, playing baseball was far from the minds of the Huskies. But with the help of counselors, parents and coaches, the OPRF baseball team was able to overcome the sudden death of umpire Scott Marengi, who was stricken in the second inning of the Huskies’ non-conference game at Willowbrook on Thursday. Marengi was taken to a hospital but could not be revived. The game was postponed.
OPRF rattled off 46 runs in four straight wins following the incident, and pushed its overall record to 13-2 and West Suburban (Silver) record to 8-0.
The Huskies shutout Evanston 10-0 in five innings on Friday, and swept a doubleheader against Proviso West 13-0 and 10-0 on Saturday.
Tim Dennehy threw a one-hitter in five innings in the win over Evanston. Dennehy struck out five and walked two. In the first game against Proviso West, Dennehy nailed what might have been one of OPRF’s longest home runs in school history. The 2-run shot bounded off the side of the school in right field, a 450-foot blast.
Nick Vombrack also homered in the game and Mike Cunningham had three RBIs.
Ian Berger allowed just one hit in four innings of pitching in Game 1. The Illinois-bound hurler fanned five.
Luke Karcher got his first varsity win in the nightcap. The senior gave up just one hit and one walk, while fanning five.
The Huskies’ bats remained hot as Matt McFolling notched a homer and the entire lineup had at least a hit.
“The team just wanted to go out there and let there emotions do the talking,” said Ledbetter. “A lot of the reserves got in and got the job done.”
The Huskies made up the Willowbrook game on Monday, edging the Warriors 10-7. McFolling and Cunningham went 2-for-4, while Joe Froelich (4-1) struck out nine in five innings.
OPRF hosts Hinsdale South Thursday (4:30 p.m.), before traveling down Harlem to face Morton in a twin-bill on Saturday (first game at 11 a.m.).
