Local Notes: ECC’s Kalusa, Stevens named All-America
From Staff Reports June 13, 2012 5:40PM
Updated: July 15, 2012 3:27PM
Elgin Community College sophomores Justin Kalusa and Matt Stevens have earned NJCAA Division II All-America baseball honors.
Kalusa earned First Team All-American honors after being named to the Second Team in 2011 and was the Region IV Division II Player of the Year for two straight years.
Playing center field for the Spartans, the Larkin High School graduate finished the season batting .426 with 35 RBI, 26 stolen bases, three home runs, 14 doubles, eight triples and had an on-base percentage of .479.
Kalusa committed only two errors for a .983 fielding percentage. He was ranked 23rd in individual hitting among the NJCAA Division II statistical leaders. Kalusa finishes his career at ECC as the all-time hits leader with 173 hits in two seasons.
Stevens, the Spartans starting catcher, earned Second Team All-American honors. He was also a First Team Illinois Skyway All-Conference selection and earned Region IV All-Region First Team accolades. Stevens batted .386 with 22 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 36 RBI and had a fielding percentage of .978. Stevens will continue his baseball career at Tusculum College, a Division II powerhouse in Tennessee.
“We are extremely proud of Justin and Matt. These accolades are a testament to their ability and hard work. They both have a bright baseball future ahead of them,” said Spartans coach Bill Angelo.
Hampshire’s Ellett advances in Illinois State Amateur
Hampshire High School graduate Connie Ellett advanced to the championship quarterfinals of the Illinois State Women’s Amateur on Wednesday at Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood.
Ellett will face Kristi Tschudin from downstate Swansea in today’s 8:08 match play pairing.
Ellett defeated Haley Guyton of Sugar Grove 4 and 3 in the round of 16 after downing Naperville’s Carolyn Wong 6 and 4 in the round of 32.
Ellett’s sister, Taylor Ellett, is alive in the second flight. She will battle Winnetka’s Dana Gullen in a semifinal match.
Cougars’ Mateo added
to All-Star roster
The Midwest League has announced that Kane County Cougars infielder Danny Mateo will replace Beloit infielder Eddie Rosario on the Western Division All-Star roster.
Rosario was moved to the disabled list. Mateo joins teammates Matt Ridings, Lane Adams and Jorge Bonifacio as Cougars on the All-Star squad. The game is set for Tuesday in Geneva at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.
