Oak Forest Boasts a Youthful Exuberance

Coach: Thaddeus Gatton

Last year’s record: 25-8 overall, 17-2 in the South Suburban Blue. Last year was the Bengals' best since Oak Forest won the state title 1985. The Bengals have won numerous regionals over the years, but last year was the first time in at least two decades they advanced to the sectional championship game.

Returning starters: 4.

Opener: March 22 at Joliet West.

Quick hit: “Our season will be successful if our other team fills in," Oak Forest coach Thaddeus Gatton said. "We are generally young and inexperienced on the mound, and young in general. Our stars will have to have good years. We need to to have the middle of the road guys have good seasons. I’m also concernet that we’re not very deep. If there are any injury issues, it could spell trouble."

Infield: Senior Shortstop Bobby Sheppard will be the leader. Rounding out the Oak Forest infield will be juniors George Jester and John Zubek and sophomore Tom Livingston. Shepard hit .374 in 91 at-bats.

Outfield: Tim Barry Sr. is entrenched in left field. He needs eight homers to tie a state career record. He hit 17 homers last year. Other starting candidates include freshman Brian Richard and juniors Cody Murray and Arthur Johnson. Barry batted .578 last year with 17 HRs and 43 RBIs in 90 at-bats.

Pitching staff: Kyle Funkhouser emerged as the ace of the staff last year as a sophomore. Funkhouser throws 93-mph as a junior. “He has strong enough stuff to throw the ball by people," Gatton said. "He’s in the process of developing a slider, changeup and curveball. Pitching Coach Mike Lynch has helped his game a lot." Funkhouser had 55 strkeouts in 64 innings last year and posted a 9-1 record with a 1.55 ERA. Rounding out the staff will be Bryan Richard, Johnny Zubek and Nick Perez.

Catcher: Johnnny Zubek and Tim Barry will be splitting time behind the plate. 

Coach Thaddeus Gatton says: “Funkhouser, Barry and Sheppard are elite players. They’ll have to have a good year either way. For us to be successful, the rest of the guys need to be good. We have to have pitchers and batters step up, but no one else has varsity experience. I’m pleased with the success of team overall in my first year. Even though we lost in the sectional to Joliet Catholic, it was still a successful season. Last year, we had 15 seniors who put three years in program. I’ve got a lot of questions about this year, but they will sort themselves out.”

College recruits: Tim Barry has committed to Kansas State. Bobby Sheppard is undecided, but is considering several D-I programs. Kyle Funkhouser has verbally committed to Louisville.