A beast in the backfield, Randall Nauden had some big games in the fall as a running back for Brother Rice, but that’s not all. He also plays baseball in the spring, too.
The junior catcher, who took up the tough-as-nails position at age 12, can hit for power. On top of that, he can come up with the big defensive play behind the plate that ends a rally.
It makes him a leader for the Crusaders — and that’s exactly what he wants to be.
“I like to think I’m pretty respected on this team,” Nauden said. “I’m not that big of a vocal leader, but I make sure everyone is doing what they need to do.
“Times like this, that’s when I start to step up and keep everybody in it. As a catcher especially, you have to be even keeled.”
Nauden showed off his poise Saturday, hitting a pair of solo home runs as Brother Rice beat rival Mount Carmel 6-5 in the Class 4A Whitney Young Sectional championship game.
Defensively, Nauden made a snap throw to second base for Brother Rice (22-15) that picked off a runner and ended a threat in the third inning for Mount Carmel (19-13).
Those efforts were major contributions to a walk-off victory for the Crusaders, who eliminated the Caravan from the playoffs for the third straight season.
Brother Rice advanced to play at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Mount Carmel Sectional semifinals against Lyons. And according to Cole Van Assen, give some credit to Nauden.
“He really works behind the plate,” said Van Assen, who earned the pitching start for the Crusaders. “Recently, we’ve been on the same page with all my pitches.
“He knows what I want to throw, especially in deep counts. It just makes the game so much easier.”
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Nauden’s first home run came in the bottom of the second, a ball that landed well behind the left field wall, to give Brother Rice the first lead of the game. But he was just getting started.
In the bottom of the sixth, Nauden hit another home run to the same area, cutting the deficit to 5-4. Good thing, too, as the Crusaders battled back in the bottom of the seventh.
Brother Rice eventually loaded the bases against freshman left-hander Ian Tosi. Senior first baseman Amir Gray then walked, scoring senior designated hitter Sean Sullivan with the winning run.
It was a rough loss for the Caravan, who started three freshmen in Tosi, first baseman TJ McQuillan and third baseman Joey Ireland.
Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry praised Tosi with pitching a complete game in a pressure-packed situation.
“I think besides having good stuff, he has the mental toughness of a senior,” Hurry said. “His mound presence, his composure. He’s a warrior out there, and for any kid at any age, let alone a freshman, that’s where it stands out to me the most.”
But in the end, Nauden’s home runs and his ability to keep Van Assen and senior reliever Gavin Bowen calm resonated with Brother Rice coach Sean McBride pleased.
McBride confirmed it might have been what Nauden did off the field that was just as crucial, especially in the late innings.
“When you’re coaching a base, you’re not in the dugout, so you kind of miss out on some of the conversation and quiet leadership,” he said. “He was the guy in there saying, ‘Hey, relax. Everyone calm down. We’re going to come back.'”
That paid off in end. And Nauden, who has football offers from Navy and Campbell, is taking a likewise approach to his options.
“You never really know what can happen in these next couple years,” he said. “I’m really open to doing anything.”
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.