All-Area Baseball: First team
By Erik Jacobsen ejacobsen@stmedianetwork.com June 16, 2012 5:36PM
Evan Blunk
ALL-AREA BASEBALL: SECOND TEAM
• Blake Alexander, jr., Burlington Central
All-BNC East, 4 HR, 26 RBI
• Zac Camacho, sr., Jacobs
0.75 ERA, 6 saves, 28 IP
• Tyler Greene, sr., Westminster Christian
All-NAC, 36 R, 17 SB
• Carl Formento, sr., St. Charles North
All-UEC River, 6-2, 2.27 ERA
• Jake Lafrenz, fr., St. Edward
All-SCC Gold, 6-3, 1.86 ERA
• Dalton Lundeen, sr., Streamwood
5-5, 64 K, 4.20 ERA
• Jake Perkins, sr., Huntley
All-FVC Valley, 1.66 ERA, 76 K
• Austin Royse, sr., Larkin
3-6, 2.70 ERA, 25 K
• Robert Sadowski, sr., Bartlett
6-4, 2.73 ERA, 65 K
ALL-AREA BASEBALL: HONORABLE MENTION
• Jake Buhman, sr., South Elgin
• Tyler Crater, jr., Hampshire
• Eric Daly, sr., Elgin
• Troy DeFilippis, jr., St. Charles East
• Clay DeHaan, soph., Westminster Christian
• Brandon Drawant, sr., St. Charles North
• Luke Duffy, sr., St. Edward
• Zach Edwards, sr., Westminster Christian
• Ryan Ford, sr., South Elgin
• Dan Gallanis, sr., Bartlett
• Justin Gundlach, sr., Huntley
• Michael Laramie, jr., Hampshire
• Pete Lennard, sr., Larkin
• Alex Morrow, sr., Streamwood
• Bryce Only, jr., Huntley
• Brayden Royse, soph., Larkin
• Michael Scott, jr., Burlington Central
• Robert Smith, sr., Bartlett
• Mark Skoniezny, soph., Huntley
• Will Woodhouse, jr., Westminster Christian
Article Extras
Updated: July 18, 2012 6:03AM
EVAN BLUNK
JACOBS
Blunk developed into the ace of the Golden Eagles staff during his junior season. The All-Fox Valley Valley selection finished 6-3 with a 1.44 ERA. He also posted 65 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 58 1/3 innings.
“Evan was kind of under the radar earlier in the year, but he worked hard in the offseason and bought into our philosophy of how we wanted to attack and pitch,” Jacobs coach Jamie Murray said. “I thought he did a great job all year for us.”
JOHN BRODNER
ST. CHARLES NORTH
Brodner returns to the C-N All-Area team after capping his three-year varsity career with a solid senior season. The two-time All-Upstate Eight River honoree posted a .347 batting average, 17 RBI and 19 runs scored. In addition to his third base duties, he also notched four saves and went 1-1 on the mound with a 1.97 ERA. Brodner will play at Wright State.
“John is one of those kids that when the game is on the line wants the ball in his hands or the bat in his hands,” St. Charles North coach Todd Genke said.
BRYAN DOHERTY
HUNTLEY
Doherty helped lead a deep Red Raiders pitching staff. The senior righty finished 6-3 with a 2.64 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. He also tossed two no-hitters and landed All-Fox Valley Valley honors. Doherty will pitch at McHenry Community College.
“Bryan was a bulldog who took the ball every fifth day,” Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said. “He pounded the strike zone all year and showed no fear. He’s going to have a successful career at MCC.”
ALEX DOTY
ELGIN
Doty capped his three-year varsity career with a solid senior season on the mound for the Maroons. The All-Upstate Eight River selection finished 4-4 with a 2.12 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. Doty has committed to play at Western Illinois.
“Alex was really dominant at times this year,” Elgin coach Dave Foerster said. “The biggest thing was he really attacked hitters this season. I don’t think he was 100 percent all year with some shoulder issues, but he battled and was our go-to guy.”
NICK ERICKSON
ST. CHARLES EAST
Erickson excelled at the plate and in the field during his junior season. The All-Upstate Eight River shortstop led the Saints with 37 runs scored and 16 doubles. He also had a .373 batting average, 20 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
“Nick was pretty air tight for us at shortstop,” St. Charles East coach Len Asquini said. “As a leadoff hitter he was a great table setter for our other hitters. He was really a multidimensional player because he was super in the field and super at the plate.”
RICHIE GORSKI
STREAMWOOD
Gorski returns to the C-N All-Area team for the second straight year after a strong senior season. The two-time All-Upstate Eight River selection led the Sabres with a .383 batting average to go with 16 RBI and 14 runs scored. When he wasn’t playing shortstop, Gorski contributed on the mound by going 2-4 with a 1.38 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings. He plans to play at Illinois.
“Going into the year we figured Richie was going to be our top returner,” Streamwood coach Steve Diversey said. “Once again he helped us in all areas of the game.”
JOE HOSCHEIT
ST. CHARLES EAST
Hoscheit was locked in at the plate for the Saints throughout his junior season. The All-Upstate Eight River selection posted a team-best .412 batting average. He also had two home runs, 29 RBI, 25 runs scored, 14 doubles and 13 stolen bases.
“Joe was like a hitting machine,” St. Charles East coach Len Asquini said. “He was always hitting the ball hard, and even his outs were hard outs. He was right on the money all the time. He’s wired to hit.”
RAY HUNNICUTT
BURLINGTON CENTRAL
Hunnicutt was a key catalyst once again for the Rockets during his senior season. The center fielder and three-time All-Big Northern East selection was a perfect 34-for-34 on stolen base attempts and also led the team with 41 runs scored. He posted a .317 batting average, three home runs and 19 RBI. Hunnicutt was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles earlier this month.
“Ray was a huge leader for us, especially in the postseason,” Burlington Central coach Kyle Nelson said. “He really improved defensively and really had a great year in all facets of the game.”
RILEY JENSEN
BURLINGTON CENTRAL
Jensen was dynamite on the mound for the Rockets during his senior season. The All-Big Northern East selection went 10-2 with a 1.28 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 71 innings. His contributions also included 11 RBI and 16 runs scored on offense. Jensen will play soccer at Dubuque.
“Riley really took to that role of being one of our top pitchers this season,” Burlington Central coach Kyle Nelson said. “He did a fantastic job.”
JAKE JOHANSMEIER
ST. CHARLES NORTH
Johansmeier wrapped up his three-year varsity career with a solid year at the plate and on the mound. The All-UEC River honoree led the North Stars with eight stolen bases and tied for the team lead with 20 RBI and five doubles. He also finished 3-4 with a 2.68 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. Johansmeier will play at Eastern Illinois.
“Jake was pretty much the heart and soul of our team,” St. Charles North coach Todd Genke said. “He came up with some huge outings on the mound and was big at the plate.”
JACOB KOEHRING
ST. EDWARD
Koehring developed into one of the area’s top hitters and left-handed pitchers during his junior season. The All-Suburban Christian Gold selection was the ace of the Green Wave’s staff with a 7-3 record, 1.25 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 67 innings. He also posted a .389 batting average with two home runs, 25 RBI and 29 runs scored.
“Like it was for a lot of our guys, coming off last season it was a big improvement and a big confidence building year for Jacob,” St. Edward coach Tim Dovichi said.
TIGHE KOEHRING
ST. EDWARD
Koehring enjoyed a breakout sophomore season for the Green Wave. The All-Suburban Christian Gold catcher led St. Edward with a .396 batting average, 30 RBI and 18 doubles. He also had one home run and 15 runs scored.
“Tighe tore his ACL in football, and coming off that he wasn’t expected to be back until mid to late April,” St. Edward coach Tim Dovichi said. “He did so well with his physical therapy that they released him right before the season started, and he went out and put up great numbers all year.”
COLIN LYMAN
HUNTLEY
Lyman’s third varsity season began with heightened expectations after he committed to Louisville during the winter, and the junior center fielder didn’t disappoint. He makes the C-N All-Area team for the second straight year after leading the Raiders with a .431 average, 29 runs scored, 28 stolen bases, 13 doubles and four triples. The two-time All-Fox Valley Valley selection also had two home runs and 17 RBI.
“Colin hit for power, he hit for average and he ran the bases extremely well,” Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said. “He was definitely a catalyst for us.”
KYLE MANSKE
ST. CHARLES EAST
Manske thrived in his role as the ace of the Saints staff during his senior season. The All-Upstate Eight River honoree posted an 8-2 record, a 1.43 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings pitched. He will play at Black Hawk College.
“Kyle showed great leadership, led our pitching staff, led by example and led the team with his attitude and mentality,” St. Charles East coach Len Asquini said. “He went out there and had a big year for us.”
COLIN NOWAK
BARTLETT
Nowak played a leading role for the Hawks on the mound and at the plate during his junior season. The All-Upstate Eight Valley honoree was the ace of his team’s staff and finished 7-2 with a 2.26 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings. He also led the squad with five home runs and 24 RBI to go along with a .303 batting average.
“Whenever Colin was on the mound we knew we had a chance to be in the game,” Bartlett coach Chris Pemberton said. “He’s really emerged into a pretty good high school baseball player.”
DAVID PALMER
SOUTH ELGIN
Palmer stepped up his game for the Storm during his junior season. The All-Upstate Eight Valley honoree posted a team-best .385 batting average to go with 14 RBI and 10 doubles. He also went 6-3 on the mound with a 3.48 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings.
“David came in as the best pitcher from last year’s team and pitched very well again for us this season,” South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. “He’s the guy you want on the mound in tough situations. At the plate he did a fantastic job for us and helped us out a ton with key hits.”
RYAN PEREZ
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN
Perez makes the C-N All-Area team for the third straight year after capping his brilliant four-year varsity career with another stellar season. The All-Northeastern Athletic selection went 7-1 with a 0.92 ERA and an area-best 142 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings. He also posted a .337 batting average, 24 RBI and 26 runs scored. Perez’s program-record 419 career strikeouts rank as the 16th highest total in state history, according to ihsa.org. He will play at Judson.
“As a senior Ryan had just so much poise on the mound,” Westminster Christian coach Jeff Moeller said.
ZACH RANNEY
BURLINGTON CENTRAL
Ranney shined at the plate, on the mound and in the field at shortstop during his senior season with the Rockets. The All-Big Northern East selection finished with a .423 batting average, 36 runs scored, two home runs and 23 RBI. He also went 9-2 with a 2.81 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 74 2/3 innings. Ranney will play at Adrian College.
“Zach is as good of an athlete as you’ll find on the field,” Burlington Central coach Kyle Nelson said. “He does a lot of things well.”
JAKE ROMANO
DUNDEE-CROWN
Romano capped his four-year varsity career with by posting an area-best .511 batting average. The two-time All-Fox Valley Valley center fielder had a team-high 22 steals, 21 RBI and 16 runs scored. He leaves the Chargers as the program’s career leader in hits, RBI, doubles and stolen bases. A two-time member of the C-N All-Area team, Romano will play at Miami of Ohio.
“We always counted on Jake to get a big hit if we needed one,” Dundee-Crown coach Tom Parisi said. “Nothing got away from him out in center field and he was a constant threat to steal on the bases.”
DYLAN SCULLY
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN
Scully was an important offensive force for the Warriors during his senior season. The All-Northeastern Athletic selection posted a team-best .403 batting average to go along with 16 RBI and 20 runs scored. He also had a 2.03 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings. Scully plans to play at Beloit College.
“Dylan is definitely a guy that worked hard in the offseason and wanted to have a good senior year,” Westminster Christian coach Jeff Moeller said. “He did a lot of work on the mound and worked on his swing.”
TANNER SCOTT
BURLINGTON CENTRAL
Scott capped his prolific four-year varsity career by posting a team-best .435 batting average, 14 home runs, 52 RBI and 12 doubles. The four-time C-N All-Area team member, four-time All-BNC East selection and 2012 C-N Player of the Year also scored 29 runs and excelled at catcher. He leaves the Rockets as the program’s career leader in home runs (42), RBI (172), runs (130), doubles (48) and hits. His college plans are undecided.
“Tanner is a kid who loves to hit,” Burlington Central coach Kyle Nelson said. “When you’re good at something, you enjoy working on it, and I think it just kind of built on itself.”
MARK SELF
JACOBS
Self spearheaded the Golden Eagles attack as the team’s leadoff hitter during his senior season. The All-Fox Valley Valley first baseman led Jacobs with five home runs to go along with a .325 batting average, 20 RBI and 16 runs scored. He will play at John A. Logan College.
“Mark is a four-year varsity guy and he had great numbers,” Jacobs coach Jamie Murray said. “He hit in the leadoff spot and helped ignite us. He also really developed into a leader this year.”
GAGE TESCHNER
ELGIN
Teschner’s value to the Maroons this season can’t be understated. The senior catcher provided stellar defense behind the plate and was the team’s top offensive producer. He led the squad with a .383 batting average, 21 RBI and nine stolen bases. Teschner also scored 20 runs.
“We asked Gage to do a lot of things this year,” Elgin coach Dave Foerster said. “He was kind of the heart and soul of our team both offensively and defensively. We expected a lot from him and he really produced.”
ANDREW WEEDMAN
SOUTH ELGIN
Weedman provided some power in the middle of the order for the Storm. The senior right fielder and All-Upstate Eight Valley selection belted a team-best seven home runs. He also finished with a .366 batting average, 25 RBI, 18 runs scored and 10 doubles. Weedman will try to walk on at Ball State.
“When Andrew is on, he’s definitely a threat at the plate,” South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. “He had some big, clutch hits for us and also threw out two guys from right field in the regional.”
LUKE WIANS
HAMPSHIRE
Wians found ways to contribute for the Whip-Purs despite enduring an elbow injury that kept him from pitching the final month of his senior season. The All-Fox Valley Fox honoree and Judson recruit posted a .353 batting average, 19 runs scored, 18 RBI and 12 stolen bases. On the mound he was 2-1 with a 1.46 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 24 innings.
“Luke realized when we needed to get the offense going and he was able to spark us with small ball,” Hampshire coach John Sarna said. “He gets it. He utilized his speed and did a great job.”
