Sophomores making immediate impact

Last season was one filled with firsts for St. Charles North's baseball team.

Jeff Roberts' dramatic extra-inning, walk-off home run propelled the North Stars to their first regional title, and they went on to reach the 30-victory plateau for the first time in school history before their sectional championship loss to Dundee-Crown.

Although the North Stars return plenty of veteran talent from the 2007 squad -- including Illinois State-bound center fielder Jake Thornton and standout pitchers Danny Jimenez, Zach Hirsch and Brian de la Torriente, one-third of their 2008 starting lineup is composed of sophomores: third baseman Kevin Borst, shortstop Ryan Richardson and catcher Matt Stevens.

Unusual, you ask?

Especially for a team that harbors legitimate state title contending thoughts?

"We've never had this many sophomores (on varsity) at one time," said North Stars coach Todd Genke, who himself played varsity baseball as a high school sophomore (actually as a freshman) in Greenfield, Wis.

"Actually, I don't like to bring up sophomores (to varsity). This goes against what I've always felt was my philosophy.

"But I'm also a firm believer in that if a kid can play, he can play, regardless of their year in school -- especially if you have a need."

With the graduation departure of 3-year starting catcher Mike Corrigan (University of Saint Louis), Genke was searching for a possible replacement as early as last summer.

"We certainly had a need behind the plate," said the coach. "I saw Matt (Stevens) play on our team last summer and for another team last fall and felt that he might be able to help us, especially defensively."

While capably handling an experienced pitching staff, Stevens has also provided some pop with his bat.

Earlier this week, he smacked his third varsity home run -- a solo shot to straightaway center -- during the North Stars' 7-0 victory over Larkin.

"It's a lot of fun," said the 6-foot-3 Stevens, who played at the freshman level last season. "The pitchers throw much harder so I've got to pay attention to fundamentals and technique -- blocking balls in the dirt, framing pitches and throwing out runners."

Borst, Richardson and Stevens all benefited from playing summer ball with the North Stars, according to Genke.

"That's why kids need to play summer ball with their high school teams because coaches can see their ability levels," said Genke. "It's a huge benefit."

On the other side of town, St. Charles East coach Mark Foulkes has also turned to a pair of sophomores this spring.

Prior to the season, Johnathan Erickson earned the starting job at second base while third baseman Ryan O'Dell was called up to the varsity ranks last week after a season-ending injury to senior center fielder Mark Proust (shoulder separation).

Junior Zach Scott, who began the season at shortstop, took over in center field with senior Dan Leibforth moving from third base to shortstop, leaving a vacancy for O'Dell.

"This is a little unusual," Foulkes admitted. "The most sophomores I have ever had up were one. But both guys are playing well and have adjusted very well. I know they are going to make some mistakes but it is a giant learning curve for sophomores up on varsity."

It's not just the St. Charles area with impact sophomores. West Aurora's Chris Richter is hitting .412 with a team-high 19 RBI and 10 doubles. He has a .464 on-base percentage and .667 slugging percentage.

On the mound Richter is 3-1 with a 4.31 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 26 innings.

Like all the area sophomores, there's adjustments -- not only physical ones for the 15-year-olds competing against 17- and 18-year-olds but mental, as well.

"I think the biggest adjustments are the speed of the game and the quality of players who are playing the game," added Foulkes. "On the sophomore level, you may see a really good pitcher once or twice a week. On the varsity level, you will see a good pitcher every game."

Erickson agrees.

"The pitching is a lot better," said Erickson, who at this time a year ago was playing shortstop for the freshman team. "You have to learn to hit curveballs."

Starting a sophomore at the varsity level is by no means a simple choice for coaches.

"As a coach, you want to give your juniors and seniors every opportunity to play and be successful," said Foulkes. "However, I have the responsibility to the school and the team to put the best product on the field that I can. It definitely can be uncomfortable at times, but no kid can ever say they did not get a chance."

"I didn't know what to expect (from the sophomores)," said Genke. "As a coach, you're always fearful because if they struggle, then what do you do?

"But at the same time, this is not a popularity contest. I put the best kids on the field that give us the best opportunity to win."

It's a fact that playing the right sophomore can put teams over the top come tournament time.

"Sophomores definitely can help you win big games," said Foulkes. "Coach (Len) Asquini's state teams had major contributions from sophomores in 1999 with (Chris) Thedorf and (Jason) Kiley and his 2002 team with J.R. Carbonell.

"And as talented as we were in 2004 (fourth place), we probably would not have made it state without Cole (Livermore)."