By Drake Skleba

MUNDELEIN – No. 9 Mundelein had a much easier time defeating Lake Zurich on Wednesday in its North Suburban Lake rematch. A day after eking a victory, Mundelein picked up five unearned runs in the second inning and went on to blast their guests from Lake Zurich 8-1.

 On Tuesday, the Mustangs (15-2; 4-0) used a two-hit, 13 strikeout shutout from senior Jared Mandel to defeat Lake Zurich, 2-0, in the first of this big two-game series. On Wednesday, the Mustangs received another strong pitching performance, this time by senior right-hander Matt Langlie, who tossed a seven-hitter to complete the sweep.

Mundelein scored a run in the bottom of the first on a booming RBI triple by Butler-University bound 2B Chris Maranto. Lake Zurich (10-5; 2-2) tied things up at 1-1 on the first of two singles by Bear 3B Jake LaRue.

“It was good to play so well today,” said Maranto. “This is just my third game back from injury. It fees great to be back in the lineup. We beat a good Lake Zurich team this week.”

In the bottom of the third, the usually solid Bear defense imploded, committing three errors and another of omission and gave Mundelein five unearned runs.

Bear starting pitcher LHP Austin Foote deserved a much better fate. Maranto drove home his second run of the game with a sac-fly. No. 9 hitter senior LF Jordan Bregenzer had an RBI single. Mustang senior DH Torr Randau singled home the final Mustang runoff the frame.

“I t felt good to hit the baseball today,” said Randau. “I have been really struggling at the plate lately and it was great to come out of it a little.”

The Mustangs would tack on a pair of runs in the fifth. Mustang junior 3B Ryan Dolen singled home a run and junior SS Will Farmer plated the final Mundelein run of the game on a sac-fly.

Meanwhile, Langlie (4-1) was pitching a gem for the Mustangs. Scattering seven hits and allowing one run in his complete-game performance, Langlie picked up his fourth win of the season. Langlie, along with Iowa-Bound LHP Ryan Borucki, fired no-hitters on the same day last month at the Miners Showcase Classic in Marion, Illinois.

“My teammates got me an early lead and played great defense for me,” said Langlie. “My fastball was by far my best pitch today. This was a big win for us today.”

Our best wishes go out to Borucki, who played first base but will not be able to pitch anymore this season due to an arm injury.

“I caught a bad break, but at least I’m still able to play first base and help my team win,” said Borucki before the game on Wednesday.

Lake Zurich had two-hit performances from Jay DeGeorge, Ball State-bound Sean Eder and LaRue.