Prep Baseball

Baseball / DuPage County All-Area Team

Posted June 09, 2011 12:00 am

Matt Anderson

By Kevin Schmit

kschmit@dailyherald.com

Matt Anderson, Hinsdale Central

Committed to Illinois State University, Anderson set program records for all-time and season home runs. With what coach Justin Cronin calls “an easy swing” the senior shortstop, in his third varsity season, batted .454 with 11 homers, 8 doubles and 27 RBI. “He’s already a good player but he’s also constantly working to get better,” Cronin said.

Zach Bava, Glenbard South

Bava is more experienced as a catcher than a shortstop, but the junior didn’t hesitate becoming an infielder when a key injury necessitated the move. The move also didn’t hurt the all-Metro Suburban Conference selection’s performance at the plate. Bava batted .396 with 30 RBI. “To produce like he did says a lot about his character,” coach Mike Riley said.

Andrew Bergmann, Glenbard North

An ace for the Panthers during his entire three-year varsity career, Bergmann pitched his best this senior season. Thanks to pinpoint accuracy with three pitches, Bergmann issued only 15 walks the last two years. This season he went 9-3 with a 1.56 ERA and 77 strikeouts against 6 walks. “When he’s pitching, you’re always in the game,” coach Rich Smelko said.

Anthony Catanese, Addison Trail

Catanese left a huge imprint on his first varsity season. The junior shortstop utilized his tremendous athleticism to be successful in 26 of 29 steal attempts. Only one catcher threw him out all season. Catanese flashed surprising pop at the plate, batting .450 with 13 extra-base hits, 22 RBI and 39 runs scored. “He thrives on being in big situations,” coach Steve Gilliam said.

Brandon Clark, Glenbard North

A proven athlete during football and basketball season, Clark saved his best campaign for last this spring. The senior catcher, up on varsity as a sophomore, batted .410 with 10 homers, 10 doubles and 41 RBI. Clark’s strong arm made it tough for runners to steal on him. “He’s only scratched the surface with how good he can be,” coach Rich Smelko said.

Tanner Giesel, Neuqua Valley

With an aggressive attitude at the plate and a strong work ethic, Giesel emerged as a consistent contributor to the Wildcats’ lineup. The junior third baseman led by example in his first varsity season, batting .422 with 23 RBI and 27 runs scored. “When he is on the diamond he’s all business,” coach Robin Renner said. “He’s all about helping the team succeed.”

Eric Josupait, Waubonsie Valley

Josupait’s selection as the Warriors’ MVP speaks for itself. A third-year starting catcher, Josupait also earned a selection to the All-Area football team as a wide receiver. This spring he hit .411 with 16 extra-base hits and 21 RBI. His defense was another source of pride. “A bunch of teams didn’t even try to run on us because of him,” coach Dan Fezzuoglio said.

Ian Lewandowski, Naperville Central

Lewandowski epitomized the Redhawks’ ability to reload from last season’s state title run. One of many junior starters in the lineup, the first baseman was a talented No. 2 pitcher and a steady bat in the heart of the order. On the mound he went 7-3 with a 1.51 ERA and hit .408 with 28 RBI. “He could play anywhere on the diamond,” coach Bill Seiple said.

Kyle Limanowski, Waubonsie Valley

Limanowski always had power, but no one expected a season like this. The senior right fielder shattered the school record for home runs in a season with 10. He also played tremendous defense and went 3-0 on the mound with 4 saves and a 2.40 ERA. Limanowski batted .406 with 33 RBI. “The ball just jumps off his bat,” coach Dan Fezzuoglio said.

Mariano Long, Naperville North

A surge at the end of his sophomore year led to a strong junior season on the mound and at the plate. Long was the team’s lone experienced pitcher, and he claimed 5 of the Huskies’ 11 wins while posting a 2.45 ERA. Long played a smooth center field and third base with a .434 average and 23 RBI. “The better the pitching, the better he hit,” coach Carl Hunckler said.

Dan Ludwig, Naperville Central

One of the few returning players from last year’s state title team, Ludwig, committed to Belmont, capped a tremendous three-year career. Twenty-three wins highlight the legacy of the senior pitcher who this spring went 7-2 with a 1.25 ERA. He notched 83 strikeouts with only 7 walks. “He took ownership of the program the last three years,” coach Bill Seiple said.

Emmanuel Morris, Hinsdale South

Knee injuries his freshman and sophomore years didn’t deter Morris from thriving this spring for the Hornets. The junior second baseman and catcher made up for lost time as a run-producing machine in the three hole. He batted .392 with 14 extra-base hits and 36 RBI. “He’s been through a lot, so it was nice to see him out there,” coach Kraig Conyer said.

Ryan O’Keefe, Neuqua Valley

Despite not playing much as a junior, O’Keefe excelled in the summer and carried over that success to the spring. The senior designated hitter developed into one of the area’s top power hitters, batting .345 with 9 homers, 18 extra-base hits, 44 RBI and a .672 slugging percentage. “The production he’s given us this year is amazing,” coach Robin Renner said.

Joe Paparone, York

Taking advantage of key junior experience, Paparone did it all for the Dukes as a senior. A two-year right fielder, he also contributed with his pitching. Paparone went 7-2 with a 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. From the leadoff spot he hit .444 with 6 home runs, 30 RBI and a .709 slugging percentage. “This was really a breakout year for him,” coach Dave Kalal said.

Jeremy Rhoades, WW South

A “complete player,” according to coach Tim Brylka, Rhoades carried the Tigers during early-season struggles. The senior shortstop, outfielder and pitcher proved to be one of the area’s top athletes. Rhoades hit .337 with 7 homers and 35 RBI and went 6-4 with a 2.42 ERA and 81 strikeouts. “Wherever we had a void, we knew we could put him there,” Brylka said.

Jeff Schalk, Wheaton North

The three-time all-DuPage Valley Conference pick was named the league’s player of the year. Schalk, committed to UAB, set program records for career home runs and RBI while being part of 78 varsity wins. He played outfield, catcher, first base and pitched, hitting .356 with 3 homers and 29 RBI. “He’s a true five-tool player,” coach Dan Schoessling said.

Jake Schieber, Wheaton North

Voted the team’s MVP as a junior, Schieber brought a thunderous bat to the cleanup spot. A talented right fielder, Schieber came through with numerous clutch RBI during the Falcons’ run to the DuPage Valley Conference title. He launched 8 home runs and had 30 RBI while hitting .329. “If he doesn’t have a great year, we don’t have a great year,” coach Dan Schoessling said.

Eric Stout, St. Francis

Stout, a Butler recruit, carried the Spartans to their first sectional championship. One of the area’s premier aces, the senior went 10-3 with 114 strikeouts, only 18 walks and a 1.28 ERA. Stout also brought invaluable defense to center field and hit .420 with 4 home runs. “Eric’s mound presence made a big difference for us this year,” coach Rich Janor said.

Trevor Swaney, Wheaton Academy

The Suburban Christian Gold player of the year made an impact everywhere he played for the conference champions. Already a third-year varsity player as a junior, Swaney batted .455 with 28 RBI as a third baseman, left fielder and pitcher. He went 6-2 with a 1.79 ERA. “Trevor was consistently good all season for us,” coach Brad Byrne said.

Matt Wivinis, Downers Grove South

The 2011 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area baseball captain, Wivinis will play at Kansas State. The senior third baseman and pitcher was clutch with his bat, his glove and on the mound. Wivinis batted .442 with 5 home runs, 37 RBI and a .731 slugging percentage and pitched to 4 wins with a 2.75 ERA. “That was a huge year for him,” coach Darren Orel said.

Honorable mention:

Jack Amaro (jr., OF, Neuqua Valley); Joe Boozell (sr., 1B, York); Adam Dressler (so., 2B-P, Hinsdale Central); Dan Fahlgren (sr., C, Willowbrook); Phil Ganser (sr., IF, York); Jose Godinez (sr., P-C, Immaculate Conception); Ben Krusen (sr., P-C, Glenbard West); Jared Jayne (jr., 2B-P, Montini); Tyler Langosch (sr., OF-P, Hinsdale South); Nick Moore (sr., SS, Benet); Mike Murphy (sr., P-OF, Waubonsie Valley); Conor Philbin (sr., OF-1B, Naperville Central); Dane Sauer (sr., SS, West Chicago); Eric Scandora (sr., P, Wheaton North); Jason Schuman (sr., P, Wheaton Warrenville South); Ryan Solomon (jr., OF, Metea Valley); Zach Tsiodras (sr., 3B, Lake Park); Ryan Van Volkenburg (so., OF-P, Lisle); Nick Vanek (jr., 1B-P, Downers Grove South); David Wilk (sr., OF-P, Downers Grove North).

Past captains

1989: Erin Dwyer, Glenbard North

1990: Clint Jensen, Naperville Central

1991: Mark Odzga, Waubonsie Valley

1992: Brett Lauvrick, Naperville Central

1993: Justin Pierro, Benet

1994: Jerry Hairston, Naperville North

1995: Jody Gerut, Willowbrook

1996: Scott Schmid, York

1997: Russ Bayer, Naperville North

1998: Russ Bayer, Naperville North

1999: Craig Lechowicz, Downers Grove South