Baseball: DuPage County all-area team

Posted June 10, 2010 11:00 pm

Kevin Schmit

Andrew Arenson

Naperville North

The Huskies needed someone to step up in their lineup, and Arenson became an RBI machine. The all-DuPage Valley Conference first baseman batted .400 with 7 home runs, 43 RBI and a slugging percentage of .675. Arenson stepped up on the mound as well, winning three games late in the season. "He had a lot of big hits for us," coach Carl Hunckler said.

Brett Buchanan

Willowbrook

Buchanan did a bit of everything to help the team. After an 8-6 start, he switched to leadoff and the Warriors took off. The all-West Suburban Gold second and third baseman batted .487 with 18 extra-base hits and 23 steals. On the mound he won three games and saved two. "He'd play anywhere and do anything for us," coach Steve Gilliam said.

Nick Burdi

Downers Grove South

Simply dominant on the mound, Burdi reached 94 mph with his fastball. The all-West Suburban Gold junior went 9-0 with a save while almost always facing an opponent's ace. He posted a 1.03 ERA with 89 strikeouts, allowing only 28 hits and 12 walks in 531/3 innings. "We seemed to play better baseball whenever he pitched," coach Darren Orel said.

Chris Caliva

Glenbard North

A catcher before he had ACL surgery early in high school, Caliva made a smooth and successful transition to first base. An offensive surge in the summer continued into the spring. The all-DuPage Valley Conference senior hit .450 with 5 home runs and 29 RBI. "He was really consistent for us," coach Rich Smelko said. "He had some pop in his bat."

Sam Carius

Waubonsie Valley

A two-time all-Upstate Eight Conference and All-Area selection, Carius broke the program's all-time batting average record that stood for 25 years. The senior third baseman was a mainstay in the No. 3 spot in the lineup, batting .435 with 6 homers, 46 runs scored and 39 RBI. "He never took a day off," coach Dan Fezzuoglio said.

Joe Claver

Downers Grove North

Claver went 7-1, suffering his only loss while throwing a no-hitter in the playoffs. He struck out 85 in 56 innings and posted a 1.98 ERA. Hitting leadoff, a new role for him, the senior used his tremendous athleticism to spark the Trojans' offense. He hit .372 with 22 RBI. "He always put us in a position to win the game," coach Chad Isaacson said.

Matt Cmiel

Naperville Central

Ideally suited for leadoff, the senior center fielder - twice all-DuPage Valley Conference and All-Area - excelled in the three spot. Cmiel hit .411 with 28 RBI, 39 runs scored and 29 steals heading into the Class 4A semifinals. Defensively, anything hit near him was an automatic out. "He always seemed to be in the heart of our rallies," coach Bill Seiple said.

Mike Coduto

Wheaton North

With so many graduation losses, the Falcons needed help on the mound and at the plate. Coduto came through in both areas. An all-DuPage Valley Conference second baseman, the senior was brilliant defensively and hit .409 with 30 RBI. The staff ace went 8-2 with a 2.10 ERA. "Mike developed into our best overall player," coach Dan Schoessling said.

Shane Conlon

Naperville Central

The 2010 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area baseball captain, Conlon's transfer from St. Rita proved to be a monumental difference-maker. The senior is 11-0 with a 1.21 ERA and 112 strikeouts heading into the Class 4A semifinals. He hit .425 with 28 RBI, 44 runs scored and a .627 slugging percentage. "He's done it all," coach Bill Seiple said.

Cody Cooper

Neuqua Valley

Cooper made the most of his only season as starting catcher. The all-Upstate Eight Conference senior tremendously improved defensively and led the Wildcats with a .442 batting average. Cooper drove in 33 runs as a powerful gap hitter. "He worked hard to become the best possible player he could become," coach Robin Renner said.

Bobby Czarnowski

Naperville Central

If a guy was on base, Czarnowski usually drove him in by hitting .566 with runners in scoring position. The senior outfielder-first baseman earned all-DuPage Valley Conference honors by batting .449 with 4 homers, 48 RBI and a .737 slugging percentage heading into the Class 4A semifinals. "Bobby was our best hitter all season long," coach Bill Seiple said.

Ryan Dzingel

Wheaton Academy

Player of the year in the Suburban Christian Gold, Dzingel didn't miss a beat despite missing the first seven games due to a hockey commitment. The senior shortstop hit .558 with 19 extra-base hits, a .844 slugging percentage, 40 runs scored and 11 steals in 12 attempts. "He does so many things well out there," coach Willie Bosque said.

Mike Gerber

Neuqua Valley

One of the area's elite power hitters, Gerber earned a second all-Upstate Eight Conference and All-Area nod this senior year. The center fielder broke a program record with 19 career home runs and showed immense all-around talent. Gerber hit .424 with 10 home runs, 44 RBI and a .814 slugging percentage. "He does everything well," coach Robin Renner said.

Jose Godinez

Immaculate Conception

Godinez led the Knights to a fourth-place finish in Class 2A. The junior all-Suburban Christian Conference catcher and pitcher boasted a .464 average with a .810 slugging percentage, 7 homers and 50 RBI. Godinez went 7-4 with two no-hitters and 102 strikeouts in 60 innings. "He always came through in clutch situations," coach Dan Holleman said.

Eric Jagielo

Downers Grove North

Few area players in recent years have enjoyed the kind of season Jagielo had this senior campaign. The third-year shortstop and two-time All-Area pick batted .585 with 72 hits, 17 doubles, 16 homers, 47 RBI and 52 runs scored - all program records for the Trojans. "He's the best pure hitter I've seen come through here," coach Chad Isaacson said.

Matt Kaiser

Lake Park

The powerful heart of the Lancers offense, Kaiser helped the team to its first regional title in nine years. With determined focus the senior first baseman earned all-Upstate Eight Conference honors. Kaiser hit .380 with 10 home runs, 39 RBI, 42 runs scored and a .769 slugging percentage. "He's so determined, he plays with no fear," coach Dan Colucci said.

Jon Surber

Lisle

A four-year starter, the pitcher and first baseman set Lisle's season records for doubles, homers and RB, and tied the mark for wins. Twice all-Interstate Eight Conference and All-Area, Surber hit .454 with 11 home runs and 48 RBI. He went 8-1 with a 1.21 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 52 innings. "He eats, sleeps and breathes baseball," coach Pete Meyer said.

Ryan Vega

Waubonsie Valley

A tremendous run producer, Vega kept the Warriors' offense churning from the cleanup spot. A tenacious competitor, the junior shortstop played two days after suffering a concussion and requiring eight stitches following a collision. Vega hit .423 with 38 RBI. "When he gets locked in, I'd put him up against anyone," coach Dan Fezzuoglio said.

Dan Walsh

Downers Grove South

A rock in the lineup for three years, Walsh mixed baseball smarts with steady defense and an uncanny ability to get on base. The all-West Suburban Gold senior shortstop hit .486 with 41 RBI, 41 runs scored and a .590 on-base percentage. "Dan is one of the most special kids I've been around in 12 years of coaching," coach Darren Orel said.

Charlie White

Naperville North

For a leadoff man White packed a lot of power. Twice All-Area and all-DuPage Valley Conference, the senior center fielder hit .473 with 4 homers, 29 RBI, 42 runs scored and 33 steals. White proved pivotal in the field and on the mound, winning four games and saving two. "He was very consistent in the field, at the plate and on the mound," coach Carl Hunckler said.

DuPage County All-Area Captains

1989: Erin Dwyer, Glenbard North

1990: Clint Jensen, Naperville Central

1991: Mark Odzga, Waubonsie Valley

1992: Brett Lauvrick, Naperville Central

1993: Justin Pierro, Benet

1994: Jerry Hairston, Naperville North

1995: Jody Gerut, Willowbrook

1996: Scott Schmid, York

1997: Russ Bayer, Naperville North

1998: Russ Bayer, Naperville North

1999: Craig Lechowicz, Downers Grove South

2000: Mike Kelly, Waubonsie Valley

2001: Dan Walsh, Neuqua Valley

2002: Sam Shorts, Glenbard East

2003: Kyle O'Brien, Glenbard East

2004: Mike Bowden, Waubonsie Valley

2005: Mike Bowden, Waubonsie Valley

2006: Connor Powers, Benet

2007: Pete Cappetta, Montini

2008: Bryan Roberts, Benet

2009: Jack DeAno, Wheaton North

2010: Shane Conlon, Naperville Central

Honorable mention

Matt Anderson (jr., SS, Hinsdale Central); Kevin Babica (sr., 3B-P, Addison Trail); Andrew Bergmann (jr., P, Glenbard North); Tate Fritz (jr., 1B, Wheaton Academy); Kevin Hankins (sr., SS, Montini); Joe Ippolito (sr., DH, Neuqua Valley); Jon Kolosky (sr., OF-P, Lisle); Dan Ludwig (jr., P, Naperville Central); Marc Mantucca (sr., DH-P, Naperville Central); Matt McMahon (sr., P-IF, Immaculate Conception); Nick Moore (jr., SS, Benet); Ben Murrow (sr., C, Wheaton North); Al Robbins (sr., 2B-P, West Chicago); Jake Rone (sr., P, Downers Grove South); Nick Slezak (sr., C, Glenbard South); Mike Small (sr., SS, Wheaton North); Eric Sousanes (sr., 2B, Waubonsie Valley); Eric Stout (jr., P-OF, St. Francis); Zach Tsiodras (jr., DH, Lake Park); Ray Yong (sr., OF, York).

2010 All-Area Fantasy Lineup Card

1. Charlie White, Naperville North, CF

2. Shane Conlon, Naperville Central, P

3. Eric Jagielo, Downers North, 2B

4. Jon Surber, Lisle, 1B

5. Mike Gerber, Neuqua Valley, LF

6. Jose Godinez, Immaculate Conception, C

7. Bobby Czarnowski, Naperville Central, RF

8. Sam Carius, Waubonsie Valley, 3B

9. Dan Walsh, Downers South, SS

<h1>More Coverage</h1>

<h2>Related documents</h2>

<li><a href="/pdf/dupagebaseballfront10.pdf">DuPage Co. all-area team Page 1</a></li>

<li><a href="/pdf/dupagebaseballteam10.pdf">DuPage Co. all-area team Page 2</a></li>

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