Asquini's record-breaking win highlights opening of spring sports season

The 2017 spring sports season is off and running. Here are some quick hits from the past two weeks:

•St. Charles East's Len Asquini became the school's winningest baseball coach with the Saints' 4-2 nonconference victory over Barrington on March 24. After the game, senior first baseman-pitcher Kyle Tiltges helped Asquini celebrate with a dousing from the water cooler.

"It was good," Asquini said of the chilled reception following his 351st career victory. "It doesn't happen very often."

Currently in his 14th season as head coach, Asquini headed into this week's action with a 353-149-1 record (. 703 winning percentage). His 1999 team captured the Class AA state championship (31-11) while the 2013 squad (28-12) placed third in the state (Class 4A).

"I've had some great coaches work with me," said Asquini. "I've had some great kids that have crossed the white line here. They've done some great things for us, and I've received great support from the community, the parents and administration here. It's not just one guy - it's all those things that come together to do that."

Longtime coach and athletic director Wayne DeMaar, who compiled a 350-189-11 record, held the previous mark.

"I'm proud to be part of the St. Charles program and helping these kids get better, enjoy baseball and experience it here," said Asquini. "That's what it's all about. We want these kids to have the best experience possible."

• South Elgin baseball coach Jim Kating does more than just fill out starting lineups, hit grounders during infield practice and drag fields after games.

He also provides somewhat of a diamond uber service.

Prior to the Storm's home opener on March 24 against Buffalo Grove, Kating gave a visitors' fan (with a walker) a ride from the parking lot to the stands in the school's Gator. "If I give my mom a ride, I have to offer the same services to others," said Kating.

•Asquini is very proud of the work completed around the Saints' ballpark last summer, including the installation of a wheelchair ramp and handicapped seating area behind the backstop.

"I've already seen at least four or five elderly people use the ramp and watch the game in the new area," he said. "It is a credit to the administration and workers who helped make things more accessible. It's a great thing for our fans."

• St. Charles North's baseball team posted a 4-1 record during its second straight trip to South Carolina last week.

Wins and losses aside, the North Stars gained invaluable lessons at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach.

"It was an awesome experience," said North Stars coach Todd Genke. "I talked to (Burlington Central coach) Kyle Nelson about it because he has taken his team down there a few times. It was a good decision."

Playing on all-turf fields with temperatures in the 70s, the North Stars opened with a 7-3 win over defending Ohio state champion Pickerington North.

"The games are a sidebar to getting all the guys together," said Genke. "One of our favorite things was a ceremony on the beach where the kids commit to each other and pledge to be a great teammate."

Taking 25 hungry teenage boys to dinner can also be adventuresome.

"One night we went to one of those all-you-can-eat, Brazilian-type steakhouses," said Genke. "The guys working said they had never seen so much food consumed in that amount of time."

The baseball was good, too.

"I really liked the competition level," said Genke, whose JV team also played 2 games in S.C. "It was a great setup."

• Former St. Charles East standout Wes Benjamin enjoyed his spring training debut with the Texas Rangers during their March 27 game against the Colorado Rockies. The 23-year-old left-handed pitcher tossed a scoreless eighth inning with a walk (to former Chicago Cubs infielder Chris Denorfia) and 3 strikeouts, earning a hold in the Rangers' 6-5 victory.

Benjamin, a 5th-round selection in the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft from the University of Kansas, will begin the 2017 season in Advanced-A (Carolina League) with the Down East Wood Ducks in Kinston, N.C.

Last season, Benjamin posted a 6-5 record and 3.79 ERA for Class A Hickory, striking out 101 while walking just 22 in 102 innings.

•If you're a baseball fan, you've probably heard the words, "the ball sounds different coming off his bat."

The same rule applies watching West Aurora boys volleyball matches.

There definitely is a different sound in the gym when senior 6-foot-8 outside hitter Thomas Kovanic connects on a spike attempt. The Loyola-bound Kovanic recorded 33 kills during the last two matches as the Blackhawks (5-1) captured their own 12-team tournament title for the second straight season last weekend.

Craig Brueske can be reached at csb4k@hotmail.com