aximize • Reach your potential as a student, as an athlete and as a person. nity • We win and lose as a team and do both with great integrity.

elf • Know yourself, “intensity is a strength; emotionalism is a weakness.” eam • It is amazing what a team can accomplish when nobody cares who gets the credit.

cademics • In the classroom, we do not expect you to do as well as everyone else, we expect you to do better.

ever • Never give up. Never back down. “RESPECT ALL, FEAR NONE”

ifts • Respect the gifts you have been given by God. uts • Have the guts to deal with your failure. ab • Have people saying good things about you, not you saying good things about yourself. trive • Everyone desires, but few are determined. Rich Josepher – Assistant Coach (Outfield/Bench Coach) Coach Rich Josepher is entering his 7th season with the Mustangs. This season will be his 5th year on the varsity staff as bench coach. Rich was a former standout at St. Rita and was a 1989 All-Catholic and All-State selection. Rich was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers after his senior year at St. Rita and was once again drafted out of St. Joseph’s College by the New York Yankees with whom he spent his professional career.

J.J. Standring – Assistant Coach Coach J.J. Standring ‘97 is entering his 16th season on the varsity baseball and football staffs for the Mustangs. J.J. was a former two-sport standout at St. Rita being named an All-State, All-Area, and All-Catholic League selection in both baseball and football. He continued his playing career at Northwestern University where he was a four-year starter in both baseball and football earning All-Big Ten in football in 2001. J.J. graduated with a degree in Economics and is currently working at Northern Trust Bank.

“Baseball has always been about the numbers… ERA, Batting Average, Slugging Percentage. A low GPA will overshadow a low ERA and eliminate most if not all college opportunities. We believe a coach, if involved in the academic process, can have the greatest impact on a student athlete.” -Head Coach Mike Zunica

20 SEASONS UNDER COACH MIKE ZUNICA

Seniors named to the National Honor Society 197 Valedictorians (#1 student in the senior class) 4 Players who have gone on to compete in collegiate athletics 172 Players currently competing at the collegiate level 35 Head Baseball Coach Mike Zunica - 21st Season 773.925.6600 Ext. 6619 • [email protected] Coach Mike Zunica is currently entering his 21st season as head baseball coach at St. Rita High School. Before coming to St. Rita in 1997, Coach Zunica was an assistant coach at his alma mater, St. Francis DeSales, and Stagg High School, and he served one season as head coach at Argo Community High School in 1996. Coach Zunica has amassed an overall career record of (607-201). During his tenure, he has lead the Mustangs to 15 regional championships, 5 sectional championships, 5 super-sectional championships, and 11 Elite 8 appearances, including summer state championships in 2005, 2009 and 2013, and 2nd place finishes in the spring of 2009 and 2010 and 2014. Coach Zunica has brought a very aggressive brand of baseball to St. Rita and also brought with him a tremendous knowledge of the game. He has had the benefit of working closely with such people as Pat Murphy (MLB Coach of Milwaukee Brewers), Rick Downs (former hitting coach of the New York Yankees), Alan Dunn (current pitching coach for Louisiana St. Univ.), Ron Coomer (former infielder for the Cubs, Dodgers, Twins, and Yankees), and John Cangelosi (former outfielder for the White Sox and member of the 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins). Coach Zunica graduated from St. Xavier University in Chicago where he was a four-year starter in centerfield, and in 2003 he was elected to the St. Xavier Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements on the diamond. In 2012, Coach Zunica was also elected to the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame. In addition, Coach Zunica is in his eighth year as the Athletic Director at St. Rita and was recently named President of St. Rita. Coach Zunica will retire from baseball after the 2017 season.

John Nee- Associate Head Coach (Defense) Coach John Nee ‘93 was recently named the 13th Head Coach in St. Rita’s 112 year history beginning in 2018. Coach Nee is entering his 20th season on the varsity coach- ing staff. In addition, Coach Nee teaches junior English and is currently in his 18th season as the offensive line coach for the varsity football team. His responsibilities on staff include: infield defense and catching. In 2009, Coach Nee was named Associate Head Coach of the Mustangs. While as a student at St. Rita, Coach Nee earned All-Catholic League honors in both baseball and football in his junior and senior seasons, and he earned All-Area honors in his junior and senior years in baseball and in his senior season for football. He continued his playing career at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, where he competed in both baseball and football, playing for college baseball’s all-time winningest coach, Gordie Gillespie.

Vince Fiore - Assistant Coach (Pitching) Coach Vince Fiore is entering his 19th season as pitching coach at St. Rita. Currently, twelve former members of Coach Fiore’s staff are continuing their careers at the collegiate level, highlighted by 2008 draft pick, 2009 team USA member, and current Seattle Mariner Major League pitcher, Tony Zych. While at Andrew H.S., Coach Fiore lead the T-Bolts to state championships in the spring and summer of 1992 and the summer of 1993 and was recognized with All-Area and All-State Honors in his senior campaign on the mound. He continued his pitching career at Ole Miss, where he was an SEC academic All-American, playing for former Cub great Don Kessinger. DAY DATE LEVEL TIME OPPONENT

Saturday 18-Mar V/JV 10:30 a.m. vs. Glenbrook North Tuesday 21-Mar JV TBA at Atlanta, Georgia Wednesday 22-Mar JV TBA at Atlanta, Georgia Thursday 23-Mar TBA at Emerson, Georgia Friday 24-Mar TBA at Emerson, Georgia Saturday 25-Mar TBA at Emerson, Georgia Tuesday 28-Mar V 4:30 p.m. vs. Reavis Thursday 6-Apr V 4:30 p.m. vs. Oak Lawn Saturday 8-Apr V 2:00 p.m. at De La Salle Sunday 9-Apr V vs. Kimberly, Wisconsin Monday 10-Apr V 4:30 p.m. vs. DePaul Prep Wednesday 12-Apr V 4:30 p.m. at Bishop McNamara Thursday 13-Apr V 4:30 p.m. vs. Montini Saturday 15-Apr V 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Monday 17-Apr V 4:30 p.m. vs. St. Ignatius Thursday 20-Apr V 4:30 p.m. vs. Fenwick Saturday 21-Apr V 11:00 a.m. at Providence Catholic Monday 24-Apr V 4:30 p.m. vs. Providence Catholic Wednesday 26-Apr V 4:30 p.m. at Marmion Thursday 27-Apr V 4:30 p.m. vs. Marmion Saturday 29-Apr V 11:00 a.m. at Brother Rice Monday 1-May V 4:30 p.m. vs. Brother Rice Wednesday 3-May V 4:30 p.m. vs. Mt. Carmel Thursday 4-May V 4:30 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Saturday 6-May V 11:00 a.m. vs. Loyola Academy Monday 8-May V 4:30 p.m. at Loyola Academy Wednesday 10-May V 4:30 p.m. vs. St. Francis-Wheaton Thursday 11-May V 4:30 p.m. at St. Francis-Wheaton Saturday 13-May V 11:00 a.m. vs. St. Laurence Monday 15-May V 4:30 p.m. at St. Laurence Wednesday 17-May V TBD Stevies Way Tournament Thursday 18-May V TBD Stevies Way Tournament Friday 19-May V TBD Stevies Way Tournament Saturday 20-May V TBD Stevies Way Tournament Wednesday 24-May V 4:30 p.m. IHSA Regionals at TBD Thursday 25-May V 4:30 p.m. IHSA Regionals at TBD Saturday 27-May V 11:00 a.m. Regional Championship at TBA Wednesday 31-May V 4:30 p.m. IHSA Sectionals Thursday 1-Jun V 4:30 p.m. IHSA Sectionals Saturday 3-Jun V 11:00 a.m. Sectional Championship Monday 5-Jun V IHSA Super-Sectional at TBD Fri-Sat 10-11 June V IHSA State Finals at TBD Eddie Delariva ‘12 Purdue University Marty Bechina ‘15 Michigan State Mike Zunica ‘12 Kansas Sean Jaycox ‘15 St. Ambrose Zach Soria ‘12 Florida International University Grant Mullin ‘15 Andrew Massey ‘13 Concordia Dan Budziak ‘15 Joliet J. C. Troy Payton ‘13 Maryville University Esteban Martinez ‘15 Mesa, AZ J. C. Marty Napleton ‘13 St. Joseph College Anthony Faron ‘15 University of St. Francis Connor Mclain ‘13 Triton College Shane Peisker ‘15 Logan Pete Martinez ‘13 University of Indianapolis Tyler Halas ‘15 Palm Beach State J. C. Andrew Maestre ‘14 Eureka College Matt Ryan ‘15 Butler Jake Shepski ‘14 University of Notre Dame Luke Bechina ‘16 St. Ambrose Nate Soria ‘14 Xavier University Max Franklin ‘16 Heartland J. C. Jake Drada ‘14 Joliet Junior College Danny Gleaves ‘16 Michigan State C. J. Santoyo ‘14 Phoenix College Ray Hansen ‘16 St. Ambrose A. J. Fuller ‘14 Logan Christian Pearl ‘16 South Suburban J. C. Neil Smith ‘14 Phoenix College Dominic Sarro ‘16 Villanova Nick Goldsmith ‘14 University of Pittsburgh Mike Smith ‘16 St. Ambrose Jeremy Sinople ‘15 Eureka College Peter Vasquez ‘16 Aurora Matt Murawski ‘15 Webster Mateo Zunica ‘16 Kansas Conner McAllily ‘15 Moraine Valley C. C.

Brian Nenzda ‘98 Kansas City Royals 2003 Tony Zych ‘08 Chicago Cubs 2008 John McCarthy ‘02 Texas Rangers 2002 Tony Zych ‘08 Chicago Cubs 2011 Robbie Cummings ‘05 2009 Mark Payton ‘10 Minnesota Twins 2010 Ryne White ‘05 Arizona Diamondbacks 2008 Mark Payton ‘10 Cleveland Indians 2013 Mike Kafka ‘05 Philadelphia Eagles 2010 Anthony Ray ‘13 St. Louis Cardinals 2013 Joe Dispensa ‘06 Los Angeles Dodgers 2006 Mark Payton ‘10 New York Yankees 2014 Sean Estand ‘07 Joliet Jackhammers 2011 Joe Filomeno ’11 Texas Rangers 2014 Matt Conrath ‘07 St. Louis Rams 2012 Nico Zych ’11 Windy City Thunderbolts 2015 State Championships 2005 (Summer), 2009 (Summer) and 2013 (Summer) State Championship (Elite 8) Appearances 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 Super-Sectional Championships 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014 Sectional Championships 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014 Regional Championships 1986, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Catholic League Championships 1922, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1949, 1960, 1965, 1972, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2014 • The Mustangs won their first ever State Championship in the summer of 2005. • The Mustangs have won 14 Regional Championships since 2002. • Since 2000, the Mustangs have 11 Elite 8 appearances and have played in 7 State Championship Games. • The Mustangs have captured 26 Catholic League Titles. • 2015-16 seasons, 22 of the 26 senior baseball players went on to play in college. • All eleven seniors from the 2005 team went on to pursue baseball. All eleven received scholarships. • In 2015 thirteen seniors went on to play college baseball. An all-time record in the program’s 105-year history. • The Varsity Baseball team received their first #1 national ranking in the Spring of 2015. • The Varsity Baseball team has been nationally ranked 12 times in the past 14 seasons. • The Mustangs have compiled more victories than any other program in the state of since 2004 (382-92). • The Mustangs earned a second place trophy in the Spring of 2009 and followed that by capturing the 2009 Summer State Championship and another second place trophy in the Spring of 2010. They went back-to-back again winning the Summer State Championship in 2013 and finishing 2nd in the Spring of 2014.

2nd Final Elite State Elite Elite 2nd State 2nd State 2nd Place Four 8 Champs 8 8 Place Champs Place Champs Place 2000 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2009 2010 2013 2014

Summer Summer Spring Summer Summer Spring Spring Summer Spring Summer Spring Zach Soria ‘12 Florida International Eddie Delariva ‘12 Purdue Mike Zunica ‘12 Kansas Jake Shepski ‘14 Notre Dame Mike Costanzo ‘14 Austin Peay State Nate Soria ‘14 Xavier Nick Goldsmith ‘14 Pittsburgh Marty Bechina ‘15 Michigan State Matt Ryan‘15 Butler Mateo Zunica ‘16 Kansas Danny Gleaves ‘16 Michigan State Dominic Sarro ’16 Villanova