David Kundrat came into his senior season known mostly as a defensive specialist, praised by his Lockport coaches and teammates for the ability to chase balls down and make highlight-reel catches in center field.
Kundrat endured some offensive struggles last season and had never hit a home run in high school. Until this spring. Suddenly, the St. Xavier recruit has become an unlikely prolific power hitter.
“Last year, I feel like it was all in my head,” Kundrat said. “I was kind of fighting with that. This is my last year. I’m just letting loose. I’m going up there and being like, ‘Just do it. Be the guy.’”
Kundrat was definitely the guy Wednesday. He blasted a grand slam for his fourth homer of the season and went 3-for-3 with six RBIs to lead host Lockport to an 11-1 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Homewood-Flossmoor in six innings.
Grand Valley State recruit Drew Satunas went 3-for-3, while Purdue Northwest commit Jack Schiek and Brendan Mecher both finished 2-for-3 with two runs as the Porters (7-5, 2-0) rolled to the victory in what was also a Do It Stevie’s Way Tournament pool-play game.
Morton College commit Trace Schaaf threw five strong innings, allowing just one unearned run on three hits and striking out four, to earn the win on a day when the wind was howling out.
“Even with the conditions, I was just doing my best to attack the hitters and trust my defense behind me,” Schaaf said. “I was able to get ahead with my fastball and just attack the zone.”
More Top Picks Water Skis
Ashton Jones singled, drew two walks and scored the lone run for H-F (6-3, 0-2). Morehouse recruit Ryan Myers added a double and a walk.
Kundrat, meanwhile, crushed an opposite-field grand slam to left-center to give the Porters a 7-1 lead in the third inning. Batting in the eighth spot, Kundrat continues to be a pleasant surprise.
“We’re really happy for him,” Lockport coach Scott Malinowski said. “Most of last year, he struggled offensively. He’s as solid as it gets roaming center field at this level. Offensively, we knew he always had the ability. He’s a great athlete.
“I think he just needed a year of consistently seeing this level of pitching and I think he’s settling into his own now. He’s doing a terrific job and it gives us a huge boost to get that production from the eight spot.”
Kundrat, who was also a receiver for the Porters’ football team the last two seasons, grew up dreaming of playing collegiate and professional hockey.
But he gave that sport up his sophomore season to put his focus on baseball.
“It was a very tough decision,” Kundrat said. “Hockey was always my No. 1 sport before that and I still love hockey, but baseball is my thing now.
“I sat down with my parents and said, ‘I’m going to make this choice. I think I can have a bigger career in baseball.’ It’s working out.”
Kundrat believes the grit he developed playing other sports has helped him as a baseball player.
“It carries over from hockey to football and now baseball,” Kundrat said. “That mentality just stays there. You’re grinding in the box and nothing is going to beat you.”
Schaaf has been thrilled to see Kundrat break through at the plate over the last few weeks.
“He’s always been a very good lockdown defender in center field but now he’s coming out and hitting bombs,” Schaaf said. “It’s fun to watch.”
Kundrat is gaining confidence with every big swing.
“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “I’m seeing the ball well. I put in a lot of work with the guys in the offseason.
“It’s all because of these other guys, too. They believe in me. That’s really helped me, mentally.”