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Chicago Tribune
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Catching on as utility player, Carson Maranda rights ship for Richards. To him, it's easy. ‘I'll just lock in.'
Junior Carson Maranda is the ultimate utility player for Richards. He can be a game-changing catcher, the way he was Monday, or he can operate on the other end of the battery as a pitcher. Third base or outfield? That's no sweat, either. And Maranda is ready to go anywhere on short notice. 'It's amazing,' Maranda said. 'I love being that utility guy. Before the game, I ask coach (Jeff Kortz) where I'm playing and I'll just lock in right then and there. 'If he tells me I'm catching, I mentally prepare for that because it's a big mental game.' Maranda was locked in for Monday's game, throwing out back-to-back runners on stolen-base attempts in the fourth inning while also reaching base three times to help visiting Richards pull off a 3-2 South Suburban Red win over Reavis in Burbank. Maranda went 2-for-2 with two singles and a walk for the Bulldogs (9-5, 4-2). Illinois-Chicago recruit Sean Cody went 2-for-3 with a homer and raced home for the go-ahead run in the seventh. Joliet Junior College commit Xavier Fernandez struck out five over five innings, allowing two earned runs while scattering five hits and five walks. Max Kawa tossed two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Parker Zasada picked up an RBI single for Reavis (12-6, 7-1), while Isaac Velasco reached base three times and scored a run. Dennis Muraida pitched 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing three earned runs on five hits. Richards broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh when Kawa hit a fielder's choice grounder but beat the throw to first to prevent what would have been an inning-ending double play. Cody dashed home all the way from second base. 'I'm speechless right now,' Cody said. 'I knew it was going to be a close play at first and I knew Max had good speed and he'd beat it out, so I just went home. It was great.' Maranda, meanwhile, set the tone both offensively and defensively. When consecutive Reavis baserunners tried to steal second base in the fourth inning, Maranda threw them both out. 'I was thinking, 'I hope he goes, I hope he goes,'' Maranda said. 'They ended up going. It was a costly mistake for them. Every time a guy steps on first base, I'm always thinking, 'He's running.' 'And when he does, I'm ready.' Maranda, who said playing third base helped him develop a powerful arm, did some catching on the freshman team but did not play the position at all as a sophomore in his first varsity season, spending most of his time in the outfield. 'After not catching at all last season, I had to take a big leap stepping back in but it's been a lot of fun,' he said. 'Definitely blocking is the biggest challenge. My arm has always been there. 'Framing takes time to get down, but that's been fine. Blocking is the hardest.' Regardless, Cody is always confident in Maranda. 'We can always count on Carson,' Cody said. 'Carson is electric. Back-to-back plays throwing guys out — that really got us all amped up. And then he's always doing his job getting on base.' Richards snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Rams, beating them for the first time since 2019. That was especially meaningful for Fernandez, whose uncle, Ryan Flood, is an assistant coach for Reavis. 'At Christmas, he's always talking, so it feels good to get him back,' Fernandez said. Maranda helped make sure Richards would finally break through against Reavis. And Kortz knows the junior leader will always be ready for anything. 'We've got him behind the plate because he's so athletic,' Kortz said. 'Last year, he took some lumps at the plate, but he started to feel it toward the end of the season and he's continued to get better. 'Next year, the sky's the limit for him.'
Chicago Tribune
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Jeff Vorva's top 10 boys volleyball teams and 25 players to watch in the Southland for the 2025 season
Marist, the reigning state champion, should contend again with the return of several elite players. Top 10 Teams 1. Marist (39-2) Defending state champion RedHawks return two of the best seniors in the state in Christian Teresi (Ohio State), a setter/right-side hitter and two-time Daily Southtown Boys Volleyball Player of the Year, and outside hitter Nathen Toth (MIT). There are a few spots to fill because of graduation, but Devlin Biggs and Briggs Corona could take over. 2. Brother Rice (25-14) Crusaders return a ton of talent, including senior outside hitter Paul Baker, senior right-side hitter John Mikrut and twin brother Zach, an outside hitter. Senior setter Matt Phelan will have plenty of options to utilize. 3. Lincoln-Way West (32-8) After reaching state quarterfinals last season, Warriors are itching for a return with 11 returnees and six returning starters who want to bring home a state trophy. Honorable mention all-state pick Hunter Vedder is back as a senior outside hitter. Senior middle hitter Drew Kregul (Northern Kentucky) grew to 6-foot-9 and senior Andrew Flores is one of the top liberos in the state. 4. Lincoln-Way East (28-11) Griffins made it to the sectional semifinals with three sophomores and a freshman on the court, and all are a year older. The leader is senior outside/right-side hitter Matthew Muehlnickel (Lindenwood), a second team all-state selection. Hamza Murrar, a three-year starting libero and Oak Forest transfer, will look to work way into the lineup. 5. Sandburg (25-13) Senior outside hitter Jeremiah Aro is a dynamic player for first-year coach Madisen Babich, who also will enjoy watching Will Ashum and JT Snider put away the sets of Easton Donausky for an abundance of kills. 6. Reavis (23-9) At top of list of six returning starters for Rams is senior libero Krystian Paluch, who has more than 1,300 digs in his first three seasons. Senior outside hitter Jozef Walus is the South Suburban Red's reigning player of the year. 7. Homewood-Flossmoor (29-8) Vikings set program record for wins and return core of strong players paced by senior outside hitter Ahmad Powell, a third team all-state pick. Senior middle hitter Caleb Madden, senior libero Bryan Ahrendt and sophomore outside hitter Surendran Heyward also should contribute. 8. Oak Lawn (21-17) Another South Suburban Red team with a slew of returning starters. Senior middle Oisin Walsh (Lincoln Memorial) is the headliner. Junior outside hitter Marco Budzak has developed into a strong all-around player who even set last season when called upon. 9. Providence (20-17) All-conference players Jackson Fowler, Sean Dovin and Andrew Lubinski are all back and looking for a Catholic League White title. Sophomores Brayden Pfieffer and Omar Torreblanca could play big roles this season. 10. Lockport (32-6) Porters don't have any returning regulars, so why do they get a ranking? They have averaged 27.5 wins over the past nine seasons. Senior setter Ryan Dziadkowiec will be following in the footsteps of his brother, Evan. The 25 Players to Watch Colin Alvers, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, libero. Jeremiah Aro, Sandburg, senior, right-side hitter. Paul Baker, Brother Rice, senior, outside hitter. Devlin Biggs, Marist, senior, outside hitter. Marco Budzak, Oak Lawn, junior, setter/right-side hitter. Andrew Flores, Lincoln-Way West, senior, libero. Jackson Fowler, Providence, senior, right-side hitter. Sam Jager, Chicago Christian, junior, libero. Drew Kregul, Lincoln-Way West, senior, middle hitter. Jeremy Lin, De La Salle, senior, outside hitter. John Mikrut, Brother Rice, senior, right side. Matthew Muehlnickel, Lincoln-Way East, senior, outside hitter. Sebastian Pardol, Argo, junior, outside hitter. Krystian Paluch, Reavis, senior, libero. Matthew Phelan, Brother Rice, senior, setter. Ahmad Powell, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, outside hitter. Aydin Provost, Mount Carmel, senior, right-side hitter. JT Snider, Sandburg, senior, outside hitter. Matthew Suchecki, St. Laurence, senior setter. Madan Sundaram, Lincoln-Way East, senior, libero. Christian Teresi, Marist, senior, setter/right-side hitter. Nathen Toth, Marist, senior, outside hitter. Hunter Vedder, Lincoln-Way West, senior, outside hitter. Jozef Walus, Reavis, senior, outside hitter. Charlie Zeiler, Stagg, junior, setter.
