Cook County All-Area baseball team

Anthony Brignola | Barrington

Brignola looks like a singles hitter at 5-foot-7, 150 pounds. But the left-handed hitting junior center fielder and leadoff man emerged as one of the area's top power threats with 8 homers, 9 doubles and 26 RBI while hitting .446 with 10 steals. "He's a great all-around player," said coach Jim Hawrysko. "He has a passion for the game and loves the game."

Dave Compitello | Schaumburg

A slow start didn't stop the Bradley-bound shortstop from a third straight All-Area season as he hit .400 with 4 homers and 21 RBI, stole 18 bases and finished third at Schaumburg in career hits (121). "Dave has been a tremendous leader for us on and off the field," said coach Paul Groot.

Steve Danielak | Hersey

The junior's success wasn't just a matter of talent as Danielak went 8-2 with a 3.05 ERA and had 69 strikeouts and just 18 walks in 76 innings. "He could be one of the hardest-working players we've ever had," said coach Bob Huber. "He's diligent in his preparation, brings a tremendous amount of intensity and is a competitor until the end."

Donny Duschinsky | Elk Grove

The junior and third-year varsity starter became one of the area's most feared hitters at .423 with 13 doubles, 4 homers and 34 RBI. The skilled shortstop also won 4 games and had 57 strikeouts in 54 innings. "He really solidified the middle of our order," said coach Terry Beyna. "We're looking for him to be that guy again."

Chris Fett | Hoffman Estates

Fett gave pitchers fits whether he was hitting leadoff, third or cleanup as the junior middle infielder and second-year varsity starter hit .437 with 3 homers, 8 doubles and 29 RBI and stole 11 bases. "He has improved in every area of the game," said coach Todd Meador. "Chris is a true competitor."

Tyler Gregory | Fremd

Gregory proved to be quite a catch for Fremd after playing on the freshman "B" team and beginning his junior year as a backup. The senior hit. 322 with 11 doubles, was an adept bunter and threw out 30 percent of runners trying to steal. "He gave our pitchers a lot of confidence that they could throw a curve in the dirt and he'd block it," said coach Chris Piggott.

James Hurley | Buffalo Grove

Hurley took a powerful route to hit .546 and break the school record of .538 by Eastern Illinois freshman Zach Borenstein. Hurley had 12 doubles, 6 homers and 44 RBI and was one of BG's top pitchers. "He's just a beast," said coach Jeff Grybash. "And he was doing it against big-time pitchers."

Chris James | Hersey

Stats aren't the only reason Hersey coach Bob Huber wishes he could have James on varsity for another three years. The senior hit .366 with 12 doubles, 6 homers and 29 RBI, was 7-3 on the mound and a vacuum at third base. "He's one of the greatest kids I have ever had the pleasure of coaching," Huber said. "This kid is a consummate teammate."

Matt Johnsen | Fremd

Johnsen had a rocky start after getting his chance to start. But the senior lefty rebounded and used a devastating changeup to go 7-2 with a 2.35 ERA for the MSL West champs. "When he was out there our team had a lot of confidence," said coach Chris Piggott.

Brett Kay | St. Viator

The repeat All-Area pick and Illinois State-bound shortstop led the way again for the Lions at .465 with 7 triples, 18 RBI and 20 steals. "He's one of the best all-around players and leaders I've coached," said coach Mike Manno. "He's an outstanding leadoff hitter and he made some major-league plays at shortstop."

Dan Lauria | Rolling Meadows

The lefty-hitting second baseman was a perfect table-setter for the MSL champs in the No. 2 spot as he had 9 doubles, 20 RBI, drew 22 walks and had an on-base percentage of .454. "Danny's patience and ability to hit behind the runner made him an ideal two-hole hitter," said coach Jim Lindeman. "He was a big part of our success the past two seasons."

Jason Leblebijian | Prospect

The Bradley-bound shortstop and repeat All-Area pick helped lead a young Prospect team to a strong second half and regional final berth. Leblebijian hit .453 with 9 doubles and 32 RBI. "You can always count on him to get the job done," said coach Ross Giusti. "He is everything a coach can ever ask for out of a player."

Mike Luschen | Palatine

Luschen is continuing a Palatine tradition of outstanding center fielders as he hit .345 with 3 homers and 20 RBI, had 5 sacrifice flies and 5 sacrifice bunts and played tremendous defense. "It appears as though Mike is moving before contact is even made," said coach Paul Belo of his ability to read the ball. "His willingness to give himself up is a testament to the type of player he is."

Robbie McDonnell | Barrington

McDonnell came up to the varsity at the end of last year and the junior lefty came around this year to become one of the top pitchers in the area at 9-2 with a 1.83 ERA, 3 shutouts and 99 strikeouts in 69 innings. "He really worked on mastering his craft this year," said coach Jim Hawrysko. "He puts in the time and effort."

Teddy Metzger | Rolling Meadows

Whether it was basketball or baseball, Metzger was one of those consistent, unspectacular players coaches love. Metzger hit .355 with 23 RBI, was 6-3 on the mound with 2 shutouts and played a solid shortstop. "He came every day and worked hard and led by example," said coach Jim Lindeman. He will be sorely missed and tough to replace."

Kyle Meyer | Schaumburg

Meyer never walked on the wild side in one of the best seasons a pitcher has had at Schaumburg. The Concordia-bound righty went 11-2 with a 2.70 ERA and had 60 strikeouts and only 6 walks in 83 innings. "Kyle was our workhorse this season," said coach Paul Groot. "He was our MVP and gave us a chance to win every time he was on the bump."

Mike Mistrata | Schaumburg

The powerful first baseman hit .404 with 3 homers and 19 RBI to cap a four-year career where he set school records for homers (22) and walks (57), was second in hits (132) and third in RBI (89) and MSL average (.467). "Mike has been a tremendous hitter," said coach Paul Groot of one of only three four-year varsity players at Schaumburg.

Miles Osei | Prospect

Osei has gained plenty of attention for his ability at quarterback, but the junior made an impact this spring as well. Osei hit .370 with 3 triples, 3 homers and 32 RBI and was 5-2 on the mound. "Miles is a true competitor," said coach Ross Giusti. "When the game is on the line, I want the ball or bat in his hand."

Mike Otte | Leyden

Leyden's "Captain O" played in pain all year with a torn labrum. It was all part of the senior's leadership of a young team as he hit .415 with 10 doubles, 22 RBI and 12 steals. "At our awards night I said he's the heartbeat of our team," said coach Gary Wolf. "He's a natural leader."

Colin Semler | Elk Grove

Semler had the ability to power Elk Grove to early leads at the top of the order as he hit .370 with 6 homers, 9 doubles and 29 RBI. The senior also played a variety of spots in the infield and outfield as the Grens won 20 games for just the second time. "We really weren't expecting the power numbers out of him," said coach Terry Beyna. "He put the team before himself."

Julian Sipiora | St. Viator

The strong-armed junior could and did play anywhere for the Lions - when Sipiora wasn't pitching he played the outfield and even caught. And he was a dangerous threat at the plate at .425 with 11 doubles, 5 homers and 38 RBI. "He's a versatile player and clutch hitter who drove in some big runs," said coach Mike Manno.

Connor Skoczynski | Maine West

Maine West always seems to have talented middle infielders on the varsity for three to four seasons. Skoczynski is no exception as the sophomore hit .394 with 3 homers and 17 RBI and stole 15 bases. "He was our sparkplug and ignited things for us," said coach Joe Pederson. "He can do quite a bit of damage for us."

Paul Solka | Maine West

The sophomore third baseman wasn't afraid to take one for the team as he was plunked 13 times. But Maine West preferred to see Solka swing the bat as he hit .420 with 2 homers and 19 RBI. "He definitely blossomed," said coach Joe Pederson. "Paulie has a high ceiling and he's starting to evolve into a kid who is going to be able to do it all for us."

Mike Tauchman | Fremd

The four-year varsity starter and Bradley-bound center fielder had a big finish in leading Fremd to the MSL West title. Tauchman hit .494 with 10 doubles, 7 homers, 38 RBI and 13 steals and took away his share of extra-base hits. "He had a monster year," said coach Chris Piggott. "He's been the guy you want up at the plate in a tight game."

Ryan Tuntland | Maine West

Maine West has been blessed in recent years with shortstops who make big things happen. Tuntland was no exception as the senior hit .537 with 3 homers and 30 RBI and stole 15 bases for the Central Suburban North co-champs. "He went out and did more than anyone ever expected he'd do," said coach Joe Pederson.

Clint Terry | Fremd

Terry will be a nice place to start defense of an MSL West title as the junior lefty went 5-2 with a 2.79 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 53 innings and hit .367 with 22 RBI from the cleanup spot. "I think he's going to be that much better on the mound next year," said coach Chris Piggott. "He's a competitor, he hates to lose and he wants the ball when it counts."

Lucas Udischas | Maine West

The versatile Udischas would play anywhere for Maine West but it didn't affect his production. Udischas hit .420 with 26 RBI and struck out only 9 times in 88 at-bats. "Luke did it all," said coach Joe Pederson. "Wherever he was he went out and gave us his best effort and had a pretty nice senior campaign."

Walt Wijas | Conant

The Kentucky-bound righty turned up the heat with 100 strikeouts 69 innings and he went 5-5 with a 1.63 ERA and 2 saves. Wijas just missed a perfect game against Elk Grove. "He's kind of laid-back," said coach Jerry Song. "He knows he's got good talent and he doesn't rub it anyone else's face."

Derek Wojcik | Conant

Playing shortstop, hitting third and pitching made Wojcik the centerpiece of Conant's second 20-win season and regional title in history. The senior hit .380 with 19 RBI, stole 9 bases, was solid defensively and went 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA. "He's a complete athlete and he pretty much sets the tone," said coach Jerry Song. "He's just a solid player."

Ricky Zapata | Leyden

Even when Ricky lost his numbers were strong as the senior righty finished 7-2 with one of the lowest ERA's in school history at 0.84. Zapata also had 68 strikeouts and 19 walks in 58 innings and 6 complete games. "We've had a great tradition of No. 1 pitchers and Ricky's name is definitely added to that group," said coach Gary Wolf.

Steve Zimmerman | Maine West

The powerful first baseman was hardly all-or-nothing as he hit .432 with a school-record 6 homers and 29 RBI with only 8 strikeouts for the CSL North co-champs. "Steve acclimated himself to his position in the lineup and he didn't miss many pitches down the stretch," said coach Joe Pederson.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>All-Area Teams</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Cook County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298406"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298405">Softball captain: Nikki Goranson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298398"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298397">Baseball captain: Jon Carlson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298403"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298402">Soccer captains: Laura Mayer, Mary Kubiuk</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298401"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298400">Volleyball captain: Chris Falknor</a></li> </ul> <h2>DuPage County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298392">Softball captain: Hannah Santora</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298582">Baseball captain: Jack DeAno</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298391"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298394">Soccer captain: Leah Fortune</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298390"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298393">Volleyball captain: Joe Kelly</a></li> </ul> <h2>Fox Valley</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298676"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298362">Softball captain: Kimberly Pierce</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298660"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298356">Baseball co-captain: Brian Brauer</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298355">Baseball co-captain: Craig Lipp</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298658"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298361">Soccer captain: Cori Wronski</a></li> </ul> <h2>Lake County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298410"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298408">Softball captain: Olivia Duehr</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298407"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298396">Baseball captain: Chas Evans</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298404"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298409">Soccer captain: Courtney Levy</a></li> </ul> <h2>Tri-Cities</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298385"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298379">Softball captain:Stephanie Becker</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298383"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298380">Baseball captain: Matt Milroy</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298382"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298378">Soccer captain: Emily Hinchman</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>