Baseball: DuPage County All-Area captain Crocker does it all during Willowbrook’s record-breaking season

From his early days attending the Little Kids Camp, Jory Crocker grew up aspiring to become a baseball player at Willowbrook High School.

During his senior season nearly a decade later, Crocker helped lead Willowbrook to a record-breaking campaign that included 29 victories (against 7 losses), a 27-game winning streak, and the school’s first 18-0 mark in West Suburban Conference Gold Division play.

Crocker, a 3-year starter for the Warriors, has been named as the Daily Herald’s DuPage All-Area captain for the 2026 season.

The team’s starting shortstop and relief pitcher compiled lofty numbers throughout his 102-game varsity career, saving his best for last this season.

At the plate, Crocker hit a team-leading .463 along with a .585 on-base percentage and .853 slugging percentage.

The right-handed hitter finished with 46 base hits, including 4 home runs, 7 triples, and 11 doubles, 45 RBI, 41 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases.

Batting out of the 3-hole in the Warriors’ potent lineup, Crocker also walked 23 times, received 9 hit-by-pitches, and struck out just 12 times in 130 plate appearances.

“Jory set the school record with 45 RBI,” said Willowbrook coach Vic Wisner. “Last year, we batted him in the 2-hole, and we had him there for the first couple games this season. Jake (leadoff hitter Bonino) stole a ton of bases, so we figured Jory would be a bigger run producer for us batting third.”

On the mound, the hard-throwing right-hander was nearly unhittable, finishing 1-1 with 4 saves while not allowing an earned run all season.

In 16 2/3 innings, Crocker walked 3 while striking out 31 of the 68 batters faced.

“He throws hard and has such good command,” said Wisner. “You could see him gain more confidence as the season went along. We liked to use him out of the bullpen in our Saturday games against Downers Grove North, Hinsdale Central, and Oak Park-River Forest.”

After batting .309 as a sophomore, Crocker’s numbers dipped to .278 as a junior last season due to a nagging shoulder injury.

“That was a wake-up call for him because he never had a sore arm before,” said Wisner. “That’s one of the reasons why I put him in the closer’s role this season. He wasn’t in the field as much, either. We had him at DH (designated hitter).”

“It was a little shock to me — mentally and physically,” Crocker said of the shoulder strain. “It was my first injury ever. But I felt better with time and started this season fully healthy.”

Wisner recalled his early days watching Crocker play.

“He was a tall, lean kid who worked hard,” said the coach. “He put in a lot of work with Ben Chantos at our Hitting Academy in seventh and eighth grade.”

In high school, Crocker became a solid 2-way player — and one of the top shortstops in the area.

“He’s as smooth a player as we’ve ever had,” said Wisner. “He can make the play in the 5-6 hole and the run-throughs up the middle. His throw to first has no arch to it.”

On the basepaths, Crocker can apply pressure on the opposition.

“He can run and he’s a good baserunner,” said the coach. “He cuts corners. He’s a special player.”

One of Crocker’s favorite memories from the season doesn’t include any personal highlights or winning streaks.

“During our spring trip to Tennessee, we went as a team to an escape room,” said Crocker. “We weren’t able to escape, but it was a blast.”

Following a 1-4 start, that team chemistry paid off during the school-record 27-game winning streak.

“A lot of us attended the Little Kids Camp,” said Crocker. “I think that’s why our team chemistry was so good. We played a lot of close games and won almost all of them.”

Crocker expected his senior season to be a special one.

“Coming into the season, we thought it was going to be a big year,” he said.

The elevated expectations and team chemistry forced Wisner to put off his retirement another season.

“I was going to leave when my son (Troy) graduated last year,” said Wisner. “These guys talked me into coming back for another season.

“I think the players took it as extra motivation. I’m certainly proud of the year they gave me.”

Crocker enjoyed playing for Wisner and his coaching staff.

“It was great playing for Coach Wisner,” said Crocker. “He made it more than just a game. He taught us how to take care of the field and take pride in it.”

On the mound, Crocker utilized a 4-seam fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup against opposing hitters.

“Against righties, my out pitch was a slider or fastball in,” said Crocker. “Against lefties, my out pitch was heaters.

“Coach (pitching coach Curtis) Hudson called pitches the whole game. I didn’t shake him off. I put all my faith in Coach ‘Huddy.’”

Measuring 350 feet down the left- and right-field lines, and 385-390 in the gaps, the Warriors’ field is one of the largest in the area, which helps account for Crocker’s team-high 7 triples and 11 doubles.

“The park plays so big,” said Crocker. “Coach always said it was like the mini-Polo Grounds.”

Next season, Crocker will take his talents to the University of Arizona.

“I received a lot of offers from Power 4 schools,” he said. “I chose Arizona because I love the coaching staff and the atmosphere there.”

The 6-foot, 2-inch, 185-pound Crocker will also keep an eye on next month’s MLB Draft (July 11-13 in Philadelphia).

“He has a chance to be drafted,” said Wisner.

Last week, Crocker left for Salt Lake City, Utah to play in the MGF Marshalls Baseball League (June 12-July 21), featuring some of the country’s top incoming college freshmen.

“I plan on working on my first step defensively — getting better angles toward the ball,” said Crocker. “Offensively, I’m going to work on hitting balls the opposite way as hard as I pull them.”

Crocker’s goal remains unchanged.

“My dream is to play 15 years in the pros,” said Crocker.