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Courier-News All-Area baseball team
Updated: June 24, 2011 2:09PM
WES BENJAMIN
ST. CHARLES EAST
Benjamin returns to the C-N All-Area team for the second year in a row after a dominant senior season. The two-time All-Upstate Eight Conference honoree finished the campaign 10-2 with a 1.36 ERA, 85 strikeouts and 14 walks. The talented lefty has committed to play at Kansas next year and was also drafted by the Yankees in the 48th round of this month’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
“Wes is definitely one of a kind,” St. Charles East coach Dave Haskins said. “He loved to pitch in the big games and he is a great competitor.”
JOHN BRODNER
ST. CHARLES NORTH
Brodner lived up to his reputation as one of the top juniors in the area. The shortstop and All-Upstate Eight Conference River Division honoree finished the year with a .434 batting average and led the North Stars with nine home runs, 39 RBI and 30 runs scored.
“John really came into his own this year, and offensively he really put up some monster numbers for us,” St. Charles North coach Todd Genke said. “I was really proud of his defense too. He was a big reason why we won 24 games.”
TYLER CRATER
HAMPSHIRE
Crater carried a heavy load during his sophomore season as both the catcher and one of the top pitchers for the Whip-Purs. The unanimous All-Big Northern Conference East Division selection compiled a 4-3 record and 3.95 ERA to go along with 34 strikeouts in 39 innings. At the plate he finished with a .325 average, seven doubles and 14 RBI.
“He can play all nine positions, but this year he was primarily just a catcher and pitcher,” Hampshire coach Steve Ream said. “The best thing about him is as just a sophomore he’s one of the most positive guys on the team.”
KEVIN ELDER
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN
Elder returns to the C-N All-Area team for the second straight year after another stellar season. The junior did nothing to diminish his reputation as one of the area’s top pitchers by going 7-2 with a 1.81 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings. Elder, who earned All-Northeast Athletic Conference honors, also posted a .330 batting average to go with two home runs, 27 RBI, 19 runs scored and 12 doubles.
“Kevin pitched in a lot of the big games,” Westminster coach Jeff Moeller said. “He’s just work horse and a competitor.”
RICHIE GORSKI
STREAMWOOD
Gorski was a critical contributor for the Sabres this season. The junior third baseman led the team with a .405 batting average and 36 RBI. He also belted five home runs and scored 33 runs while earning All-Upstate Eight Conference River Division honors. On the mound, Gorski went 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings.
“I would have never pegged him to be a .400-plus hitter for us, but that’s just a tribute to Richie and his hard work and his determination to succeed in baseball,” Streamwood coach Steve Diversey said.
JUSTIN GUNDLACH
HUNTLEY
Gundlach got the job done on the mound and at the plate for the Red Raiders. The junior posted a 7-3 pitching record to go along with a 2.20 ERA. He struck out 44 and walked only 11 in 50 innings. Offensively, the All-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division honoree had a .378 average, 22 RBI and seven doubles.
“Gundy really helped anchor our staff as our No. 2 this year,” Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said. “He’s got a lot of upside on the mound being able to throw three pitches for strikes.”
NICK HAHN
BURLINGTON CENTRAL
Hahn returns to the C-N All-Area team for the third straight year following a solid senior season. The All-Big Northern Conference East Division honoree tallied a .409 batting average, three home runs, 36 RBI and 22 runs scored. On the mound he was 3-4 with a 1.29 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings. An Illinois Wesleyan recruit, Hahn leaves Central as its all-time leader in pitching wins with 25.
“Nick definitely had his best year on the mound even though his win-loss record didn’t show that,” Central coach Kyle Nelson said.
JOSH HARRIS
STREAMWOOD
Harris helped carry the Sabres to new heights during his senior season. The two-time All-Upstate Eight Conference honoree finished with a 7-2 record on the mound, a 3.14 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 78 innings. He leaves as the school’s all-time leader in strikeouts with 273. A Villanova recruit, Harris also tallied seven home runs, 25 RBI and 19 runs scored.
“Basically Josh was the nucleus of our team,” Streamwood coach Steve Diversey said. “Anytime we were in a big situation we didn’t want anybody else to have the ball but him.”
MIKE HAZELHURST
DUNDEE-CROWN
Hazelhurst emerged as the ace of the staff for the Chargers during his junior season. The All-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division honoree finished with a 7-1 record and 2.02 ERA. He struck out 39 batters in 55 1/3 innings and tossed a complete-game shutout in D-C’s regional championship win.
“We always knew Mike had the talent, but he was able to put it all together this year, which was great to see,” D-C coach Jon Sawyer said. “He pitched in some really big games and was outstanding.”
BRETT KALE
JACOBS
Kale contributed on the mound and at the plate for the Eagles as a senior. The All-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division honoree finished with a 6-3 pitching record, a 2.31 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. He also posted a .326 batting average with nine doubles and a team-best 25 RBI.
“Being a senior Brett was one of our main leaders,” Jacobs coach Erik Kehoe said. “He was probably our best gamer, so to speak. Sometimes we had to ask Brett on three days rest if he could take the ball and without hesitation he would.”
SAM KLEIN
BURLINGTON CENTRAL
Klein’s tremendous senior campaign has him back on the C-N All-Area team for the second straight year. The two-time All-Big Northern Conference East Division honoree and North Central College recruit was 8-1 on the mound with a 2.47 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. At the plate he finished with a .472 average, five home runs, 27 RBI and 38 runs scored.
“Sam really did it all in all three aspects,” Central coach Kyle Nelson said. “He was one of the top defensive shortstops around. He also did an excellent job offensively and on the mound.”
KENNY LOWDEN
SOUTH ELGIN
Lowden’s power at the plate helped key the Storm’s success. The senior right fielder led the squad with 10 home runs, 32 RBI and 35 runs scored. He also finished with a .333 average while earning All-Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division recognition. Lowden plans to play at Oakton College next year.
“Kenny stepped up and carried our team and won some games with some of his home runs,” South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. “He played solid defense for us out in right and definitely helped us make the push to be fighting for a conference championship.”
DALTON LUNDEEN
STREAMWOOD
Lundeen emerged as an essential member of the pitching rotation for the Sabres as they enjoyed their finest season in program history. The junior lefty finished with a 7-2 record to go along with a 2.74 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings.
“One thing I learned about Dalton is he’s a gamer,” Streamwood coach Steve Diversey said. “He’s a true competitor and he filled the shoes pretty well. His numbers are good and I think he’s only going to get better.”
COLIN LYMAN
HUNTLEY
Lyman continued to impress in his second varsity season for the Red Raiders. The sophomore center fielder led Huntley with a .448 batting average, 34 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. The All-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division honoree also had four home runs and 30 RBI.
“Hitting in the three hole for us Colin is able to put down a bunt, use his speed and hit the ball to all fields,” Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said. “Defensively he did an outstanding job for us in center field. He’s going to have two more big years for us.”
JOHN MUNYON
ST. CHARLES NORTH
Munyon was a key contributor on the mound, in the field and at the plate for the Stars during his senior season. The All-Upstate Eight Conference River Division honoree posted a team-best .443 batting average to go with two home runs, nine doubles, 22 RBI and 26 runs scored. He was also 6-1 on the mound with a 4.13 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 42 innings. Munyon will play at Illinois Wesleyan next year.
“Being both a pitcher and a position player is not the easiest thing to do and John did it tremendously well,” St. Charles North coach Todd Genke said.
SCOTT NOWICKE
DUNDEE-CROWN
Nowicke was a beast at the top of the order for the Chargers during his senior season. The two-time All-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division left fielder finished with a team-best seven home runs, 13 doubles and 38 runs scored. He also posted a .353 batting average and tallied 29 RBI.
“Scott was a great leadoff hitter for us and really supplied a lot of pop at the top of the lineup,” D-C coach Jon Sawyer said. “He’s solid defensively, he’s a good baserunner and he kind of gives you everything you can ask for at the top of the order.”
FRANK OLIVER
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN
Oliver was once again a major force at the plate for the Warriors. The senior catcher led Westminster with a .457 batting average, five home runs, 29 RBI and 16 doubles. He also scored 29 runs and struck out only nine times in 117 plate appearances while earning All-Northeast Athletic Conference honors. Oliver will play at Judson next year.
“Frank was very consistent at the plate,” Westminster coach Jeff Moeller said. “He was one of those guys that other teams tried to avoid because he always put the ball in play and made stuff happen.”
NATE PEARSON
STREAMWOOD
Pearson returns to the C-N All-Area team after another outstanding season at shortstop for the Sabres. The senior and two-time All-Upstate Eight Conference selection dominated on the basepaths, compiling an area-best 38 steals in 39 attempts. He also hit four home runs, tallied 29 RBI and scored 32 runs. Pearson will play at Elgin Community College next year.
“Any time Nate got on he was dangerous,” Streamwood coach Steve Diversey said. “Defensively he was outstanding, and there’s not too much he couldn’t get to.”
RYAN PEREZ
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN
Perez returns to the C-N All-Area team for the second straight season, this time as the 2011 C-N Player of the Year. The All-Northeast Athletic Conference honoree used his ambidextrous talents on the mound to strike out an area-best 143 batters in 66 innings while posting a 9-1 record and a 1.38 ERA. At the plate, Perez finished with a .373 batting average, three home runs and 22 RBI. The junior also led his team with 32 runs scored and 17 steals.
“It just seemed like Ryan matured a lot out there this year,” Westminster coach Jeff Moeller said.
ANDREW PERRY
SOUTH ELGIN
Perry was the top performer among a big group of young and talented pitchers who helped the Storm set a program record for wins by finishing 24-10. The late-inning specialist posted a 3-2 record, five saves and a 0.95 ERA. Perry, junior, struck out 44 batters and walked only 11 in 36 2/3 innings.
“He worked out during the winter and did a great job preparing himself for the season,” South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do next year too.”
TONY RALLO
ST. CHARLES EAST
Rallo set a new standard for offensive production at St. Charles East during his senior season. The All-Upstate Eight Conference River Division first baseman set single-season program records by tallying 13 home runs, three grand slams and 60 RBI. Rallo, a Judson recruit, finished the year with a .463 batting average.
“When the first three guys would get on Tony was able to clean up the bases many times,” St. Charles East coach Dave Haskins said. “He had a great year not only offensively but also defensively at first base.”
LUKE ROJAS
ST. CHARLES EAST
Rojas played a key role in helping the Saints win a share of the Upstate Eight Conference River Division title with his offensive prowess and smooth defensive play at shortstop. The All-UEC River honoree posted a .378 batting average with seven home runs and 26 RBI. He was also hit by a pitch a school record 14 times. Rojas will play at Olivet Nazarene next year.
“Luke did a great job of leading our infield,” St. Charles East coach Dave Haskins said. “He turned a lot of double play balls to help keep our pitch counts low. He was a great leader out there.”
JAKE ROMANO
DUNDEE-CROWN
Romano continued to develop into one of the area’s top players during his third varsity season. The junior center fielder landed All-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division honors by posting a team-best .394 batting average to go along with four home runs and 27 RBI. He also had 11 doubles and scored 31 runs.
“Jake hit in the three spot for us all year and really learned to attack his pitch and lay off others when guys would try to pitch around him,” D-C coach Jon Sawyer said. “That really shot up his average and his on-base percentage.”
TANNER SCOTT
BURLINGTON CENTRAL
Scott makes his third straight appearance on the C-N All-Area team after another prolific season at the plate. The junior catcher and three-time All-Big Northern Conference East Division selection led the area with a .510 batting average to go with nine home runs, 43 RBI, 39 runs scored and 13 doubles. He enters his senior season as the program’s all-time home run leader with 28.
“I think the biggest area Tanner made strides was his defense,” Central coach Kyle Nelson said. “It was his first year full-time behind the plate and he did a fantastic job.”
TREVOR WHITEHEAD
LARKIN
Whitehead was outstanding at the top of the batting order and in center field during his senior season with the Royals. The All-Upstate Eight Conference River Division honoree led the team with a .392 batting average, 35 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.
“Trevor is a very good all-around athlete,” Larkin coach Matt Esterino said. “He did a great job setting the table for us and he was on base a ton. He was invaluable for us, has a great demeanor on the field and did a great job of leading by example.”
— Compiled by Erik Jacobsen
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