Neuqua Valley loses Ian Krol for season

Ian Krol's season has ended before it even began.

Neuqua Valley baseball coach Robin Renner confirmed Saturday that his senior ace pitcher has been suspended from the team for the entire season for a second violation of District 204's athletic code of conduct. Krol turned in his uniform Friday.

At the start of his junior season last year, Krol served a seven-game suspension for a first violation.

"There was a thorough investigation and our school followed the protocol," Renner said. "The school did its due diligence."

Krol entered this season as the state's top-rated senior player, according to the Prep Baseball Report. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to accept a scholarship from the University of Arizona and was projected to be a possible high draft pick in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft in June.

Making his varsity debut as a sophomore, Krol helped lead the Wildcats to the 2007 Class AA championship by posting an 8-1 record with 91 strikeouts and a 1.22 ERA. Neuqua Valley was third in last year's Class 4A tournament as Krol went 9-1 with 111 strikeouts and a 0.98 ERA.

Krol was also one of the Neuqua Valley's leading hitters last season with a .479 batting average, 4 home runs and 22 RBI.

The Wildcats are scheduled to play their season opener Tuesday in Naperville against Plainfield South.