Oakton should benefit

The Oakton College baseball program may have a difficult time achieving a third straight season with 40 victories.

That's fine with coach Bill Fratto if a tougher schedule results in more postseason success.

For example, on Oakton's spring trip to Florida it will play three exhibition games against Class AA affiliates of the Cardinals, Mets and Nationals and will face Division I junior college powers Miami-Dade and Broward County.

"We wanted to make the schedule tougher to make us tougher at the end," Fratto said. "We've always had great records, but we've never been to where we want to go."

Oakton, which is ranked 13th nationally in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll, got a step closer last year as it finished 41-18 and made the Region IV final four.

This year the Raiders hope to break through to their first NJCAA World Series berth with a crew of local products who will be in the middle of the action.

Sophomores Vince Saisi (Prospect), Billy Chapman (Barrington) and Nate McGarry (Leyden) will be Oakton's top three starters. Brian Lattner (Prospect) is the No. 1 reliever.

Saisi didn't give up any earned runs in 4 innings in an 8-1 opening loss to Kirkwood (Iowa) in the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Chapman got the victory and Lattner the save of a 6-2 win in the second game.

"Vinny was outstanding ... we just didn't play defense," Fratto said. "Both had great outings for their first time out."

Elk Grove products Billy Montemayor and Tony Pena are also on Fratto's 12-man pitching staff.

"We'll score runs with anybody," Fratto said. "It's a matter of our pitching staff stepping up and all 12 of them have to step up for us to be successful."

Leading that staff and playing a big role offensively is sophomore catcher Andrew Butkus (Prospect). Butkus hit .402 last year and Fratto expects him to find a Division I home.

Sophomore John Leu (Wheeling) is starting at second base, freshman John Hirka (Maine West) is in left field and infielder Chris Michals (Rolling Meadows) is expected to play a big role.

Oakton also has four major-league draft picks in its starting lineup in left fielder Lenell McGee, right fielder Andrew Hagins, Parkland transfer and third baseman John Williams and designated hitter Devin Foreman.

"This team is just as good as the last two," Fratto said. "We feel this team should be ranked higher, and we're excited to get it going."

And Oakton wants to keep its season going even longer this time around.