Narducci: Gloucester Catholic's Mondile a big game pitcher
The game was over Tuesday, and Tyler Mondile had just struck out 10 in a 6-1 win over Pennsville, but the work wasn't quite completed for the Gloucester Catholic junior righthander.
The game was over Tuesday, and Tyler Mondile had just struck out 10 in a 6-1 win over Pennsville, but the work wasn't quite completed for the Gloucester Catholic junior righthander.
In the outfield, he was seen doing sit-ups, not the easiest endeavor after pitching a complete game. And then there were jumping jacks and more sit-ups.
One question quickly arose - didn't he do enough for his endurance during the game, in which he also hit a key double?
Apparently not, but that also helps explain why Mondile is among the most coveted players in South Jersey.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Mondile is just a junior, but during the fall he made an oral commitment to attend perennial power Florida State.
Under veteran coach Mike Martin, who is in his 36th season, the Seminoles have earned 35 consecutive regional tournament appearances and 15 trips to the College World Series.
So players have to be pretty special to attend FSU, and Mondile fits the bill.
Just don't ask him anything about potentially being selected in the first-year MLB draft next year. He has more pressing matters on his mind, like returning Gloucester Catholic to its state-title perch.
The Rams had won four state championships in a row before falling in last year's sectional final to St. John Vianney.
"I think we can be up there with anybody in the state," Mondile said.
Mondile has spent his past two summers helping Brooklawn hoist its American League World Series national championship trophy. Appearing in so many big games has helped his profile and confidence.
Following his freshman year, he was 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA during the summer in the American Legion regionals and World Series. He was the No. 3 pitcher in the rotation behind current University of Maryland standout Mike Shawaryn and Gloucester Catholic senior John Murphy, a Maryland recruit.
Last summer, Mondile was Brooklawn's top pitcher. He went 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA in the regionals and World Series.
"The kid wants the ball in every big game and is not scared of anybody in the box," Gloucester Catholic coach Mike Rucci said.
That fearless nature comes because he is so confident in his ability.
"He has command of three pitches and throws his fastball 90-93 (mph)," Rucci said.
That's a good reason to be confident.
Mondile's father, Steve, spent four years as a pitcher in the Baltimore Orioles system. For part of the time he roomed with Curt Schilling.
Steve Mondile later got into scouting, first with the Florida (now Miami) Marlins and then the Cincinnati Reds. With three sons and always being on the road, he decided after the 2003 season that coaching and instructing was a more suitable lifestyle.
"When I would be in Florida for six weeks at a time scouting and the kids started asking when I would be coming home, I knew it was time for a change," Steve Mondile said.
Now, he has rarely misses a game, and says it has been a major thrill to watch his sons compete.
An assistant coach at Rutgers-Camden and a baseball instructor at Sportz Central in Bellmawr, Steve Mondile starred at Gloucester Catholic and Kentucky Wesleyan before entering pro ball. His influence on Tyler as a pitcher has been profound.
"He has taught me everything about the game," Tyler said of his father.
One thing he taught him was that there are no shortcuts. So that means doing exercises even after a stellar pitching performance.
Big-time college baseball or the draft can wait. Mondile, who was also a starter in basketball, is focused solely on that next start.
"I just love pitching in big games," he said.
He will continue to get that chance this spring, and in the summer for Brooklawn. One thing is certain - regardless of how he pitches, his work won't be complete until the final sit-up is done in the outfield.
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