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Travis heads stacked all-area team
Updated: June 9, 2011 7:57PM
OF: Tim Barry, Oak Forest, sr.: A four-time All-Area selection, Barry became the state’s all-time home-run and RBI leader after he hit 12 bombs and drove in 30 runs despite being walked 29 times. He also tallied eight doubles and scored 36 runs. Signed with Kansas State.
LHP: Wes Benjamin, St. Charles East, sr.: A two-time all-area selection, the left-hander posted a 10-2 record with a 1.57 ERA. In 71 innings, he struck out 94 and walked 17 while throwing five complete games. Signed with Kansas.
RHP: Connor Cuff, Lyons, sr.: The right-hander posted a 10-0 record, which included a no-hitter in the playoffs, while leading the Lions to the Class 4A semifinals. He also recorded 90 strikeouts and 13 walks in 62 innings with a 1.02 ERA. Signed with Pennsylvania.
2B: Kevin DeFilippis, Providence, sr.: The ultimate table-setter, the slick-fielding DeFilippis scored 50 runs, tallied 59 hits, including 13 doubles, one triple and three homers, and batted .465. He also swiped 23 bases. Signed with Notre Dame.
RHP: Kyle Funkhouser, Oak Forest, jr.: As arguably the most dominant pitcher in the area, the right-hander struck out 130 and walked 22 in 752/3 innings. He posted an 11-0 record with a 0.83 ERA while leading the Bengals to the Class 3A state semifinals. Verbally committed to Louisville.
Utility: Jack Landwehr, Prospect, jr.: The two-way talent did it all for the Knights in leading them to the Class 4A semifinals. On the mound, he posted a 13-2 record with 106 strikeouts and 11 walks in 781/3 innings. At the plate, he batted .453 with 14 doubles, three homers and 43 RBI.
C: Dan Potempa, Providence, sr.: The Celtics cleanup hitter had nine home runs, 14 doubles and 45 RBI while batting .482. He hit .449 with runners in scoring position and slugged .848. Signed with Iowa Central CC.
1B: Tony Rallo, St. Charles East, sr.: The left-handed hitter broke the school record with 13 home runs, including three grand slams, and drove in 60 runs this season. He added three doubles and 29 runs. Signed with Judson University.
OF: Chris Sujka, Mount Carmel, sr.: A three-year starter, he tied the school homer record with 12, to go with 52 runs, 45 hits, eight doubles, 32 walks and a .536 on-base percentage. Signed with Indiana.
3B: Sam Travis, Providence, sr.: The Sun-Times Player of the Year hit 15 home runs, 16 doubles, three triples and drove in 72 runs. He batted .504 overall and .569 with runners in scoring position while slugging 1.023. Signed with Indiana.
OF: Charlie Tilson, New Trier, sr.: The Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year was selected in the second round of the MLB amateur draft, 79th overall, by the Cardinals. A three-year standout, the supremely athletic Tilson scored 41 runs, stole 28 bases and hit .406 as the Trevians’ leadoff man. Signed with Illinois.
SS: Michael Vilardo, Cary-Grove, sr.: The athletic shortstop did it all, finishing with 15 home runs, three doubles, two triples, 57 RBI, 50 runs, 51 hits and a .436 batting average. He also swiped 30 of 31 bases. Signed with Richmond.
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