Junior left-hander Cadyn Kummer got the start on the mound Saturday, trying to help Evergreen Park win its first regional championship since 2017. But if that wasn’t enough at stake, there were also some major family bragging rights on the line.
Because the opposing starting pitcher for Oak Forest was his cousin, Jake Kummer.
“We were texting (Friday) and Jake’s like, ‘I’m pitching,’” Cadyn said. “I said, ‘So am I.’ I was thinking, ‘Holy cow, this is going to be awesome.’ It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Both cousins turned in big-time efforts, but Cadyn and the Mustangs came out on top.
Cadyn Kummer threw 4 1/3 strong innings, allowing two earned runs, and visiting Evergreen Park rallied late for a 6-3 win in the Class 3A Oak Forest Regional championship game.
Noah Munoz earned the win in relief, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings while striking out three. He also went 3-for-4 and delivered the go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning for the Mustangs (24-13).
Jake Bishop went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Christian Jacobo scored twice and Yarim Garcia finished 2-for-4 with an RBI as fourth-seeded Evergreen Park advanced to take on top-seeded St. Rita (25-12) — a 13-1 winner over Bremen — at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in a Brooks Sectional semifinal.
This was the fourth straight year the Mustangs and Oak Forest met in a regional final, with the Bengals winning the previous three.
“It means so much for this team, this program and the whole village really,” Munoz said. “You see the people out here cheering us on, surrounding us now while we celebrate.
“To get this for Evergreen Park, it’s huge.”
Jake Kummer allowed four earned runs over 5 2/3 innings and struck out three for fifth-seeded Oak Forest (20-17). Jeff Wessel added a single and an RBI, while Ryan Kruswicki provided a single and a run.
Cadyn Kummer, meanwhile, escaped allowing just one run in the first inning despite two walks, a hit and an error.
He continued to pitch out of trouble after that, showcasing an ability not to panic under stress — something he acknowledged has been an issue at times.
“I’ve been struggling a lot this season with staying composed and being a good teammate,” Kummer said. “This game, it was a lot better. I was still saying some things. I was still getting mad.
“But I didn’t let it affect any of my teammates and I made sure I kept my cool on the mound.”
Evergreen Park coach Andrew Massey knows that’s the key for Kummer.
“Cadyn’s stuff speaks for himself,” Massey said. “He’s got a really good arm. As long as he settles in and mentally stays present, stays focused and stays positive, he’s a tough guy to square up.”
Cadyn Kummer kept the Mustangs close but they trailed 3-2 before putting together a four-run rally in the sixth. After Garcia’s RBI single tied the game and chased Jake Kummer, Munoz ripped a two-run double to left.
“They brought in a new pitcher,” Munoz said. “We got the scouting report from coach Massey. He said he likes his fastballs. I got a first-pitch fastball and got a ride on it.
“It was a surreal moment for me.”
And a moment of redemption for the Mustangs.
“It was tough losing to Oak Forest the last couple years,” Cadyn Kummer said. “We got what we wanted finally. All those teams in the past who have lost, we did it for them.”
His older brother, Tyler, was part of that past.
“It’s the biggest accomplishment,” Cadyn said. “My brother didn’t get to do this. So, it’s the first time that someone in the family has done this, which is really awesome.”
And beating his cousin?
“Yeah, we’ll definitely be talking about that at family events,” Cadyn said.
