Oak Lawn's Kametas Stepping Up as a Sophomore

Oak Lawn sophomore starting pitcher Bob Kametas was the key component in the . Kametas (2-1) went five innings and struck out nine.

“Bob was great today,” Oak Lawn coach Brian Clifton said. “He worked ahead most of the time and he played to the umpire. He was dealing. He was tremendous out there.”

Kametas is playing his first year on varsity, so it helped to get run support early in Tuesday’s game.

“We gave him a great deal of run support, which can only help a pitcher,” Clifton said. “Especially him, because he’s only a sophomore. He’s a young kid.”

Kametas is excited to be playing at the varsity level.

“It’s a big step. I’ve been working very hard in the offseason,” Kametas said.

The run support came early from senior catcher Matt Volanti, who hit a three-run home run in the first inning.

“Volanti getting us started with the three-run homer set the momentum offensively,” Clifton said. “That was huge to give us a little breathing room because these guys have been a thorn in our side for the last three years I’ve been up here.”

Volanti and Kametas exhibited great chemistry between catcher and pitcher on Tuesday.

“We just jell together,” Volanti said. “I know his pitches and he knows where I like to catch the ball.”

Kametas was singing Volanti’s praises.

“My teammates did a great job hitting today, and defensively too, my catcher, Matt Volanti, did a great job back there,” Kametas said.

Volanti hopes to continue his baseball career in college. He said he’s looking at Saint Xavier and North Park. He wants to study criminal justice.