Sports
Big Ben Leads Evergreen Park Quest for Big Season
Division I pitching prospect Bed Modesitt and a bevy of talented hitters hope to have the Mustangs thinking in terms of a banner year.
Around the horn with the Mustangs
Coach: Mark Smyth (11 years as head coach, overall record of 162-157).
Last year’s record: 19-17.
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Returning starters: 5.
Conference affiliation: South Suburban Red
Find out what's happening in Evergreen Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Opener: March 16 vs. Chicago Christian.
Quick hit: “Our season will be successful if we find some pitching depth behind Ben Modesitt,” Evergreen Park coach Mark Smyth said.
Position Breakdown
Infield: Brian Heisterman is a 5-11 senior who hit .441 last year with a team-high 49 hits. He returns to hold down the third base job. Kevin Schwer, a 5-9 senior who hit .277, will play shortstop. Tom Martin, a 5-9 junior who averaged .400 in summer league ball, has the early edge at second base. Josh Vanhuizen, a 6-2 senior, will play first base when he is not on the mound. Dan Duth, a sophomore transfer from Brother Rice, will play some infield and outfield.
Outfield: Dan Cronin, a 5-10 senior, returns after hitting .390. He will patrol one corner outfield position. Senior Dillon Knight, a 5-7 speedster, will hold down the center field job. Sophomore Dan Duth appears to have the inside track on the other corner outfield position.
Pitching staff: Ben Modesitt brings a live arm and a 6-5 presence to the mound as the Mustangs' ace. He boasted a 5-4 record last season. He will be supported by Dan Cronin, Josh Venhiusen and brother Kyle Modesitt, a 6-2 sophomore who likely will work his way into the rotation. Junior Chance Emlund, a 5-10 lefty with a wicked breaking ball, figures to complete the starting staff.
Catcher: Kyle Bock, a 5-8 sophomore, will due to bulk of the catching.
Diamond gems
Evergreen Park Catcher Kyle Bock is a throwback type catcher who plays hard and is a gamer. Pitching ace Ben Modesitt fired a no-hitter last year against Reavis.
Coach Mark Smyth says: “Our offense is one of our strong points. We have a nice blend. If the young guys come through, we will have a chance to improve greatly on last year's season."
College recruits: Ben Modest is being looked at by a number of Division I schools. A big season will be important for the big righty. Both Venhiusen brothers also are potential college-level players, according to Musgtangs coach Mark Smyth.
