Every year the St. Rita Baseball team seems to be at the top of the standings in the Chicago Catholic League, near the top of the state rankings, and in contention for a state title. One might wonder how a program can sustain such success for such a long time.  Just like a Major League baseball team, everything is built from the ground up. “It starts at the lower levels,” Head Baseball Coach and Athletic Director Mike Zunica stated.” Those programs cultivate and prepare the players for varsity baseball. By the time they get to me, they are polished and ready to compete.”

The question of how St. Rita sustains such long term success was answered this weekend when both the freshmen and sophomore baseball teams took home the Chicago Catholic League Championship. In what is widely known as one of the best conferences in the state of Illinois, the two teams combined for a record of 44-10 on the season and 34-5 in conference play.

Head sophomore baseball coach, Bill Heaney, a 2005 graduate of the baseball program attributes the success to the all around experience St. Rita baseball brings to the players. “This is a program in every definition of the term,” Heaney said. “The players know what a privilege it is to put on the uniform and dream of one day playing for Coach Zunica at the varsity level. That kind of determination and motivation is created by years and years of success at all levels.”

The two championships add to a long list of success the St. Rita program has had over the years. The varsity team, ranked in the top 10, has its sight set on a championship of their own. Coach Zunica believes that winning at the other levels is contagious and can lead to big things for his varsity club. “Winning and losing is contagious, and we have a bunch of winners in this program. Some of these guys will be up with us hopefully helping us win a championship of our own.”

The varsity baseball team is getting ready for the “Do it Stevie’s Way Tournament” held this week and through the weekend. After the tournament, the Mustangs will have their focus on the state playoffs which begins May 22^nd.

Marty Napleton said he was surprised to see coach Mike Zunica flash the squeeze bunt sign in the bottom of the seventh inning of Tuesday’s game against Mount Carmel.

He just wasn’t as surprised as the Caravan.

Napleton’s bunt with one out scored Andrew Massey with the winning run and gave St. Rita a thrilling 7-6 victory.

Considering Napleton, the team’s cleanup hitter, had been swinging a hot stick, with six hits in his previous 12 at-bats with six RBI, the element of surprise was near its apex.

“It was pretty nerve-racking, especially against our hated rival,” said Napleton, a goalie on the Mustangs hockey team. “I just told myself to relax and get in the right mind-set.”

Napleton bunted the first pitch he saw from reliever Nelson Munoz, who made an outstanding barehand pickup but threw wildly past home plate.

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Click below to see a slide show from senior night!

Baseball Senior Night 2013

What a difference 24 hours can make.

After handing No. 1 Lincoln-Way North its first loss of the season Friday by a 1-0 count, Brother Rice received a reality check Saturday compliments of rival St. Rita.

The No. 4 Mustangs pounded out 13 hits and eased past the visiting Crusaders’ 11-0 in a five-inning Catholic League Blue affair.
Every starter in St. Rita’s line-up recorded at least one hit.

“When your team doesn’t come out ready to play, it’s the coach’s fault,” said Brother Rice coach Johnny McCarthy, whose team fell to 16-9, 8-5. “Rita came out ready and pounded the ball.”

The first inning pretty much epitomized the Crusaders afternoon. Freshman Andrew Dyke led off the game against Mustang ace Mike Costanzo with a double. He wasn’t there long as catcher Nate Soria caught Dyke leaning and picked him off.

The very next batter, Luke Liebforth walked. Moments later, Costanzo, a left-hander, picked him off.

“That was kind of deflating,” McCarthy said.

It only got worse from there for Rice.

Connor McLain’s three-run homer was part of a five-run first inning off Rice starter Ian McGinnis.

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St. Rita Head Baseball Coach Mike Zunica and members of the baseball team sat down with MeTV’s Kenny McReynolds to talk about their season. Click the video below to watch the feature.