Baseball / Lake County All-Area Team
Blake Bucsa Carmel
Bucsa was Mr. Efficiency at the plate for Carmel. The senior second baseman struck out only twice in 110 trips to the plate, all while being one of the top offensive players on the team. “That's and astonishing stat,” Carmel coach Joe May said. “That's unheard of for someone who is so productive.” Bucsa hit .378 with runners in scoring position, netting 25 RBI. He also led the team with 37 hits, including 7 doubles and a home run. Bucsa also rolled up 10 stolen bases and scored 10 runs. He will play at College of Lake County next year.
MJ Crowley Vernon Hills
A starter in the outfield, it was where Crowley often finished games that meant the most to Vernon Hills. Crowley, a staple in the lineup for three years, was the Cougars' go-to closer on the mound. He saved both games against Lakes and also the regional final against Grayslake North, just to name a few. “We have handed him the ball on several different occasions late in games and he has responded,” Vernon Hills coach Jay Czarnecki said of Crowley. “He comes in with a lot of confidence. He's a big-time, big-game player” Crowley finished with a 1.86 ERA. Offensively, Crowley rolled up 32 hits and finished with a .368 batting average.
Will Farmer Mundelein
The Mustangs did some juggling in the infield this year and moved Farmer from second base to shortstop. It was a seamless transition. In fact, the move made it possible for Farmer to show off even more of his talents. “He's got great arm strength and a quick release,” Mundelein coach Todd Parola said of Farmer. “You really got the chance to see that more from him at short. He's a great defender and he made some unbelievable plays.” Farmer was a part of 18 double plays at shortstop. Offensively, he was also solid, driving in 36 runs while maintaining a .398 batting average.
Tyler Feece Vernon Hills
Just a junior, Feece wrapped up his third year on the varsity and his second as the Cougars' ace with a bang. He went 11-2 on the mound and nearly doubled his offensive numbers from last year. “His biggest improvements came as a hitter,” Vernon Hills coach Jay Czarnecki said. “He hit 5 in our lineup and was a very consistent producer batting over .400. I can see him dominating there and on the mound next year.” Over 54 innings, Feece recorded 79 strikeouts and a 0.77 ERA.
Max Golembo Stevenson
An early-season hamstring injury kept Golembo out of the lineup for the first month of the season, but he quickly made up for lost time. Golembo, a senior centerfielder, wound up ranking second on the team in hits while his .418 batting average was highest on the team. “Batting leadoff for us, Max was able to jumpstart our offense,” Stevenson coach Paul Mazzuca said. “His clutch hitting also helped propel us to a 12-inning victory in the regional semifinal.” Golembo will be playing at Washington University in St. Louis next year.
Adam Gomski Grayslake North
The Knights' most valuable player and an all-Fox Valley Conference selection as a junior, Gomski isn't expected to get a big head about his accomplishments. Nor is he known for letting his frustrations or his opponents psyche him out. “What makes Adam so successful is his mental approach to the game,” Grayslake North coach Andy Strahan said. “He is an extremely determined kid. Nothing fazes him.” In leading the Knights to a school-record 19 wins, Gomski rolled up 35 hits in 96 at-bats for a .365 batting average. That included 8 doubles and 2 triples. He also drove in 25 RBI. As one of North's top pitchers, Gomski finished with 5 wins and 2 saves.
Joe Gregory Antioch
Gregory was a senior this year, but he's long been playing with the savvy of know-how of one. A four-year starter at catcher, Gregory is capping off a storied career at Antioch that began with him starting the first game of his freshman season as the varsity catcher. “When Joe was a freshman, you barely knew it,” Petty said. “It was like he had picked up many of the finer points already. You knew he was going to be a really good catcher.” Despite missing the first month of the season with a hip injury, Gregory finished strong behind the plate. He also put up some strong numbers at the plate with 32 hits, including 9 doubles and 3 home runs. He also drove in 31 runs and finished with a .492 batting average.
Jon Gurchak Grayslake Central
Gurchak leaves Grayslake Central with his name in the IHSA record book. By rolling up an astounding 10 RBI against Round Lake earlier this spring, he ranks 11th all-time in the state for most RBI in a single game. Another thing that distinguishes Gurchak is his rare combination of speed and power. He runs the 60-yard dash in under 7 seconds and stole 14 bases in 15 attempts this season. Meanwhile, he hit a team-leading 4 home runs for the Rams. He also finished with 48 RBI and a .437 batting average. “Jon is a pure hitter who can hit to all fields,” Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. “He also makes things happen when he gets on base. You don't see many kids with the combination of speed and power like that anymore.” Gurchak, an outfielder, will be playing baseball next year at Lake Forest College.
Jared Helmich Grant
In a magical season for Grant, which advanced downstate for the first time in school history, Helmich pulled plenty of rabbits out of his hat. He went 11-1 on the season with a sparkling ERA of 1.11. His 11 wins, 3 of which came in the postseason leading up to the state finals in Joliet, are a record at Grant for most wins in a season. “Jared has been our leader on the field, taking the ball in every big game this year,” Grant coach Dave Behm said. “(In the postseason), he has given up 2 earned runs in 23 innings of work. He has been dominant on the mound.” Offensively, Helmich has 39 RBI and sports a .341 batting average.
Chris Hoffman Lakes
Described by his coach as not being overly vocal, Hoffman let his actions do the talking. Hoffman was a three-year starter at Lakes, pitching and playing in the outfield. He was the Eagles' ace this season and earned a complete game victory in the regional championship against Antioch. Hoffman is the all-time leader in innings pitched at Lakes with 127. He also holds the career stolen bases record with 55. This season, Hoffman went a perfect 26-for-26 on stolen bases. He also has the school's most career triples at 12, getting 8 of them this season. “Replacing Chris will be impossible,” Lakes coach Ray Gialo said. “He is a leader with his effort and competitiveness.”
Nick Hosford Grayslake Central
The speedy centerfielder specialized in tracking down seemingly out-of-reach fly balls in the outfield. He also flew around the bases, setting the school record for most stolen bases in a season with 29. On top of that, Hosford has the school record for most runs scored in a season with his 57 from this year. Hosford, who finished with a .434 batting average, hit lead-off for the Rams. He also picked up three pitching victories despite having never pitched his first three years. “Whatever we asked Nick to do, he did and he did it extremely well,” Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. “He's one of the few guys who could be a difference-maker defensively, at the plate or on the bases.”
Pat Kenney Warren
Recruited as a pitcher by Purdue, Kenney didn't pitch much for Warren this season. Not only did he have a bit of trouble early on with a sore arm, but his coaches needed him elsewhere. So Kenney started at shortstop for the entire season and he fit in as if that were his natural position all along.. “We had a hole there and Pat was so unselfish about it,” Warren coach Clint Smothers said. “It was, ‘Whatever you need, Coach. I'll play wherever you need me.' He was our leader all year.” Kenney also led the Blue Devils in many statistical categories. He had 38 hits in 92 at-bats, including 5 home runs, 8 doubles and 3 triples. He also drove in 23 runs and sported a .419 batting average. Kenney rolled up 22 stolen bases as well.
Anthony Mack Libertyville
When an injury sidelined Mack for the second half of last season, he was the Wildcats' hottest hitter. Mack returned this season and quickly regained that momentum. The senior shortstop was a force at the plate all season and wound up finishing with a record-setting .532 batting average. Mack now sits atop the school's rankings for best batting average for a season. “Anthony's success this year is very deserving as he picked up where he left off,” Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said. “He truly led by example as the offensive leader for our team in most every category.” Mack also topped Libertyville in runs (35), hits (50) and RBI (34).
Jared Mandel Mundelein
When Mundelein lost ace pitcher Ryan Borucki to an arm injury, Mandel was moved into the No. 1 slot. It was a big jump, considering his limited experience. “As a junior last year, Jared started just one game that really mattered in terms of conference and everything,” Mundelein coach Todd Parola said. “For him to step in and be our go-to guy, the guy who is going against other aces was huge. He never really had a bad outing for us. He just found ways to get people out.” Mandel did that many times in rolling to an 11-1 record. In 72 innings, he racked up 83 strikeouts and issued just 17 walks. He finished with a 1.17 ERA and tallied 6 shutouts.
Chris Maranto Mundelein
Mundelein coach Todd Parola says it's no coincidence that his team has rolled up 61 wins over the last two years. Maranto has been a fixture in the middle infield the entire time. Last year, he started at shortstop and this year he was the Mustangs' second baseman so that he could save on his arm to pitch occasionally. “Last year, Chris was the only junior in our lineup. He's been a big part of what we've been able to do over the last two years with his bat and his consistency in the middle infield,” Parola said. “He's just very reliable and he makes plays.” Maranto finished with a .413 batting average and 24 RBI. He was also a part of 15 double plays.
Chris Marras Vernon Hills
Base runners had to beware when Marras was behind the plate. He threw out more than a dozen of them this season. A four-year starter at catcher, Marras was also a second coach on the field, directing the defense and often calling most of the pitches for his pitchers. “He shuts down running games, puts teams on the defensive and does a great job handling the staff,” Vernon Hills coach Jay Czarnecki said. “He is a one-of-a-kind player and has had a tremendous impact on our program.” Marras also made a difference with his bat. He hit .451 this season and rolled up a team-leading 41 hits and 32 RBI. Marras will be playing at Butler next season.
David Meade Antioch
In his free time, Meade loves to workout. In fact, the junior pitcher loves it so much that if he can't find any of his teammates to work out with, he'll join in with anyone. “He'll find basketball players, wrestlers,” Antioch coach Paul Petty said. “He was the hardest working kid on the prospect list this winter. He would work out here during the week, go to a training facility at night and then sneak back in here over the weekend with any team he could find.” The extra work paid off. Meade went 6-3 this season and finished with a 1.77 ERA. He fanned 71 batters.
Kristian Meehan Grayslake Central
When Grayslake Central had runners on base, the hope was that it would be Meehan's turn to bat soon. He set the school's single-season record for RBI with 54 this year. He also rolled up 38 hits, including 12 doubles, 4 triples and 3 home runs, and finished with a .386 batting average. A force at the plate, the senior catcher was also a force behind it. He threw out 14 of 18 would-be base stealers. “Kristian gave us a great presence behind the plate as few teams ran on him,” Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. “Offensively, he was an RBI machine.”
John Orlando Lake Zurich
The left and right fielders at Lake Zurich sometimes saw their space in the outfield shrink this season. That's because Orlando could cover a lot of ground. “He took balls away from the left and right fielders,” Lake Zurich coach Gary Simon said of Orlando, who made 42 putouts in 44 attempts. “Speed is the name of his game. He's the best outfielder I have coached.” Orlando, a senior, also got the job done at the plate. He rolled up a team-leading 37 hits and finished with a .446 batting average, also tops on the team. He led Lake Zurich with 28 stolen bases as well.
Jake Ring Grant
One of the best base runners in the area, Ring keeps ringing up the steals left and right. After setting Grant's single-season record for steals last year with 40, he added 28 to that total this year. “He's the ideal lead-off hitter,” Grant coach Dave Behm said. “He is patient at the plate, can steal a base when he gets on and continually puts pressure on the defense.” Ring has scored 50 runs on the year and also shows his speed by running down countless balls in centerfield. He's hit .455 this season and has 25 RBI.
Wyatt Spector Lake Zurich
With a team-leading 6 wins, Spector was responsible for a fourth of the Bears' 24 wins. But with just 1 loss, he had just a tenth of the total losses, making the senior lefty Lake Zurich's most trusted option on the mound. He was also one of the most trusted players in the dugout. “He was an exceptional leader, a total team player and a captain,” Lake Zurich coach Gary Simon said of Spector. “He also had great location on his pitches and movement.” In 54 innings, Spector rolled up 58 strikeouts while allowing just 20 walks. He finished with a 2.98 ERA.
Nick Traska Lakes
As a three-year starter at second base and the Eagles' leader in batting average and hits, Traska knew how to put a smile on the face of his coaches. Then again, he could do that simply by showing up to practice. “Nick is the epitome of how every coach would want his players to play the game. He's always giving 100 percent regardless of the situation,” Lakes coach Ray Gialo said. “Nick's passion is contagious. I could be having the worst day and when I show up at the field and see Nick ready to go, it would change my mood in an instant.” Traska finished with a .367 batting average and rolled up 44 hits. He also stole 21 bases in 23 attempts.
Jordan Villarreal Grant
On the varsity since his freshman year, Villarreal has become one of the best shortstops in Lake County, and he still has one more year left. “He's a leader and a captain of the team,” Grant coach Dave Behm said. “He played a great shortstop and his hard work and focus have allowed him to become one of the best middle infielders in the county.” Villarreal has driven in 31 runs and has maintained a .431 batting average. He also stole 11 bases.
Adam Walton Stevenson
A leader in the dugout and at practice, Walton was also a leader on the stat sheet. The senior shortstop topped the Patriots in hitting, home runs and stolen bases. “Offensively, he came on strong late and led us to the regional championship,” Stevenson coach Paul Mazzuca said. Walton finished the season with a .365 batting average. He will play next season at the University of Illinois.
Alex Young Carmel
Seeing Young on the mound got old for hitters real quick. The senior lefty boasted a late-breaking curve that dizzied opponents, and he was also known to reach speeds of 90-plus miles per hour with his fastball. “Alex lived up to the hype that greeted him this season,” Carmel coach Joe May said. “He was often unhittable.” Young, who committed to Texas Christian before the start of the season, put together two appearances in which he surrendered no hits, two in which he allowed only 1 hit and three more in which he allowed just 2 hits. Overall, he yielded only 13 base hits in 40 innings. In terms of earned runs, he gave up only 5 for a 0.87 ERA. Young finished with a 7-1 record on the mound with 1 save. He rolled up 71 strikeouts.
Jake Ziolkowski Wauconda
Football is in Ziolkowski's future. The speedy and sure-handed wide receiver is going to BYU as a preferred walk-on. But having played baseball for nearly his entire life, Ziolkowski wanted to cap his four-year varsity career on the diamond with a bang, and he did just that. Batting in the No. 3 spot and providing a trusted defensive presence in centerfield, he finished with a .410 batting average while driving in 33 runs and hitting 2 home runs and 3 triples. “He will be a challenge to replace,” Wauconda coach Bill Sliker said of Ziolkowski. “He had a great four years in the program and will be used as an example of what hard work can bring you.”
All-area roster
Player School Pos. Yr.
Blake Bucsa Carmel IF Senior
MJ Crowley Vernon Hills OF/P Senior
Will Farmer Mundelein IF Junior
Tyler Feece Vernon Hills P/IF Junior
Max Golembo Stevenson OF Senior
Adam Gomski Grayslake North P/IF Junior
Joe Gregory Antioch C Senior
Jon Gurchak Grayslake Central OF Senior
Jared Helmich Grant P/IF Senior
Chris Hoffman Lakes P/OF Senior
Nick Hosford Grayslake Central OF Senior
Pat Kenney Warren IF Senior
Anthony Mack Libertyville IF Senior
Jared Mandel Mundelein P Senior
Chris Maranto Mundelein IF/P Senior
*Chris Marras Vernon Hills C Senior
David Meade Antioch P Junior
Kristian Meehan Grayslake Central C Senior
John Orlando Lake Zurich OF Senior
Jake Ring Grant OF Junior
Wyatt Spector Lake Zurich P Senior
Nick Traska Lakes IF Senior
Jordan Villarreal Grant IF Junior
Adam Walton Stevenson IF Senior
Alex Young Carmel P Senior
Jake Ziolkowski Wauconda OF Senior
*Honorary captain
Honorable mention
Grayslake Central P Mark Ash, sr.; Wauconda C Kyle Bock, jr.; Lakes IF Jake Brown, sr.; Round Lake P Anthony Burton, sr.; Grayslake North IF Nick Carmody, jr.; Libertyville P Kyle Cibrario, sr.; Libertyville OF Nick Coutre, sr.; Lake Zurich OF Sean Eder, sr.; Grayslake North P Tom Elias, sr.; Antioch OF Mitch Everett, jr; Grayslake Central IF Ryan Fontana, jr.; Stevenson OF Steve Galanopoulos, sr.; Wauconda P/IF Brandon Gibis, jr.; Round Lake P/IF Anthony Gutierrez, sr.; Vernon Hills OF Austin Hagen, sr.; Grayslake Central IF Ryan Hamrick, sr.; Lake Zurich IF Tanner Kiser, sr.; Mundelein P Matt Langlia, sr.; Grant P/IF Simeon Lucas, soph.; Lake Zurich P Mike Lutz, sr.; Warren IF Nick Orslini, jr.; Mundelein OF Tor Randow, sr.; Warren P Adam Reuss, jr.; Grayslake North IF Carl Russell, jr.; Grant P/IF Brent Spohr, jr.; Wauconda P/OF Shawn Sundquist, sr.; Libertyville pitcher Dar Townsend, sr.; Mundelein OF Jordan Wieger, sr.; Mundelein OF Bryan Wiener; Grayslake Central P Mike Wiggins, sr.