Coach's Corner: Spartan baseball set for a wild finish

Glenbrook North baseball has been nothing less than dominant in the Central Suburban League North in the past.

How dominant? Try this on for size: Conference champions seven of the last nine years and the only two years they didn't win, they lost out on the final game of the season. That, my friends, is a heck of a run, and interestingly one many thought might come to a crashing halt this year.

The Spartans, like all GBN teams, were moved to the CSL South this year for the first time. That meant competing against the larger attendance schools, and some were quietly skeptical about whether North could keep up their strong baseball tradition now that they were playing more of "the big boys."

Veteran coach Dom Savino had no such concern. Eleven years at the helm for the Spartans, he and his talented group of seniors have not only taken on the new challenge, they've welcomed it.

"To be honest, I think it has helped us," says coach. "We are now playing tough games and strong competition almost every day. Our guys are enjoying it, and they are getting better because of it."

Brace yourselves, baseball fans, because things are about to get wild in the race for the conference title. As of this writing, GBN is tied with Evanston, New Trier and Maine South, with their neighbors just down the road - Glenbrook South - only one game back. So, five teams, all battling it out in the final stretch for conference supremacy.

"It is going to be a crazy next couple weeks," says Savino. "We are all playing each other, so the head-to-head competition will decide it. No excuses."

The Spartans stand 16-6 at this point (not including games played this week) and have been playing outstanding baseball. They are blessed with a talented and experienced senior class, who have been through it all before, but aided also by some quality juniors, and an outstanding young group of sophomores.

Seven of the seniors are going on to play college baseball, which is unique for any high school baseball program. Not all are going to play Division 1; many are signed on to play at the D3 level or junior college.

"What it shows," says Savino, "is how much these guys love baseball. They want to go on and play in college, and it doesn't matter if it is not at one of the big D1 schools. They just want to play."

Coach adds, "Not just the seven seniors, but the entire group really loves to play baseball. There is no drama with this team, no outside distractions. Practices are great because the total focus is on the game they love so much. It really makes them fun to coach."

Contributions have come from anywhere and everywhere

The lead dog is Eric Orloff, one of the finest pitchers in the state. He is committed to Arizona University, one of the best college programs in the country, but we have to add in a "however." That "however" would have to do with the multitude of major league scouts who have been coming to watch Spartan games this spring, as Orloff could pass up college and be a major league draftee.

Senior Zachary Kim is classic GBN program kid, who just kept rising up the ranks, and now makes huge contributions through relief pitching and playing third base, as well as being one of the team's best hitters and base runners. He is going to play at Chaffey College in California next year.

Jack Fitzharris has been sensational this year hitting from the leadoff spot and providing equal parts stellar defense at shortstop along with quality leadership and attitude. He will play D1 ball at Western Michigan next year.

Zachary Crane has been rock solid as a mainstay pitcher for the Spartans, playing varsity as a sophomore. He is headed to Macalester College in St. Paul Minnesota to play.

Michael Chasanov must wake up every morning hitting the ball. The designated hitter is pure at the plate and sprays to all fields. He has been a danger in the lineup all season long and will take his always ready bat all the way to City College of New York to play next year.

Matthew Spencer checks in as "Mr. Clutch" this year, coming in as a reliever during late innings and getting many a tough out to close out ballgames. He hopes to do the same next year playing for DePauw University in Indiana.

Andrew Rubin is another program kid, up on varsity since his sophomore year and combines quality talent with great understanding of the game, and a passion to play it that inspires his teammates. Rubin is choosing between Lewis University in Romeoville or Oakton Community College to continue his career.

Add in star of the future (if not right now!) junior center fielder Jack Henschel and seven sophomores that all play to varying degrees, including Kevin and Spencer Geake, NJ Gott, Jack Gaffney, Blake Telpner, Colin Roche and Ben Larsen and you have a gluttony of talent from which Savino has to choose.

A nice problem to have for a coach. Seniors with talent and experience, and young sophs and juniors pushing for playing time, all blessed with a natural enthusiasm and love for the game.

"Many of our seniors played varsity as sophomores, so they know what our young guys are going through. They have been great mentors in that regard," explains coach.

The arrow is pointing upward for Spartan baseball. "Our program depth is as good as it's ever been, all the way down to the lower levels we have talent- the best since I have been here, so the future is bright."

Right now, though, the "future" is not the concern. The present is bright enough, and in the next two weeks they hope to shine the light on yet another conference title. It will be a dogfight, no doubt, and tense down to the wire - nail biter games are sure to be on the docket.

So, for those who thought Glenbrook North baseball might fall back by playing in the tougher conference? You can put those thoughts to rest. Spartan baseball is here to stay.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email him at jcsportsandtees@aol.com.