DuPage County All-Area Baseball Team
Joe Biagini, Glenbard South
No area player enjoyed a better season at the plate than this senior catcher. Biagini was a beast with a bat, claiming DuPage County's triple crown with a .513 batting average, 12 home runs and 60 RBI. His .930 slugging percentage spoke volumes for his power. Perhaps most impressive, the all-Western Sun Conference pick struck out only four times in 115 at bats and not once in WSC play. "He had the best offensive season of any player I've had in 27 years," coach Mike Riley said.
Andrew Brauer, Montini
A two-time All-Area honoree, Brauer somehow found a way to top his junior statistics. After pitching only a handful of innings last year, the senior became the Broncos' ace and team MVP. The all-Suburban Catholic Conference performer went 4-4 with a 1.67 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 541/3 innings. The second baseman again smashed the ball to the tune of a .405 batting average, 9 homers and 45 RBI. "We put a lot of pressure on him, and he kept coming through," coach Bill Leeberg said.
More Coverage Links All-Area captain Bryan Roberts
Sean Cahill, Montini
After missing the first two weeks of the season, Cahill returned as a catalyst in another fine Montini season. The senior leadoff man brought an immediate spark to the lineup, a singles and gap hitter who wound up batting .481 with 14 doubles, 33 runs scored, 20 RBI and 9 stolen bases. The all-Suburban Catholic Conference selection also played a smooth center field. "When he came back," coach Bill Leeberg said, "he really made a difference for us offensively and defensively."
Jason David, Neuqua Valley
After a near-fatal car accident in July, many wondered if David would play baseball again. The senior outfielder turned into one of the area's top hitters. Picked for the all-Upstate Eight Conference team, heading into the Class 4A semis David is tied for the program's season homer record with 11. He's batting .453 with 52 RBI and a .849 slugging percentage. On the mound he went 5-1. "Even if he hadn't gotten into the accident, he still would have surprised me," coach Robin Renner said.
Adam Davis, Driscoll
A tremendous athlete who dominated on offense and defense. The Illinois-bound senior catcher graduates as the program's career leader with 25 homers. He had 10 this season to go along with a .418 batting average, 38 RBI and a .796 slugging percentage. Equally tough behind the plate, runners were ill-advised to try stealing on the all-Suburban Catholic Conference talent. "He's the best defensive catcher I've ever seen at the high school level," coach Sean Bieterman said.
Jack DeAno, Wheaton North
Tremendous in all facets of the game, it's hard to believe DeAno is only a junior with two all-DuPage Valley Conference honors. The center fielder and pitcher did it all in the Falcons' drive toward today's Class 4A state semifinals. A premier leadoff man, he's hitting .475 with 13 extra-base hits, 42 runs and 22 stolen bases. The pitching staff's ace has a 7-1 record with a 1.03 ERA in 61 innings. "A lot of times he was clearly the best player on the field," coach Dan Schoessling said.
Sean Enright, Downers South
Coach Darren Orel said at one point in the winter Enright considered not playing baseball this season. Luckily for the Mustangs the senior first baseman decided to take the field this spring. Enright flashed a bit of everything at the plate while batting .440 with 15 extra-base hits, 45 runs scored, 33 RBI and 8 stolen bases. He played some outfield but left his defensive mark at first base by committing only 3 errors with a sound glove. "He's a total player and a total athlete," Orel said.
Anthony Fiorenzi, Downers South
The Mustangs' MVP for good reason, this senior third baseman put up some stunning offensive numbers. Fiorenzi had three game-winning hits, including a walk-off, and hit for the cycle against Addison Trail. Overall he hit .490 with 50 RBI and 50 hits. His 17 extra-base hits boosted Fiorenzi to a .745 slugging percentage. He stepped up defensively as well. "He's always been able to swing the bat," coach Darren Orel said. "But I couldn't have envisioned what he did this season."
Eric Jagielo, Downers North
The lone sophomore selected to the All-Area team, Jagielo proved worthy in a variety of valuable ways. Playing second base, third base or shortstop depending on who took the mound for the Trojans, Jagielo's flexibility proved critical in an all-West Suburban Silver performance. Hitting in the No. 3 spot, Jagielo batted .400 with 6 homers, 20 extra-base hits, 24 RBI and a .730 slugging percentage. "He's right up there with the better sophomores we've brought up," coach Chad Isaacson said.
Ian Krol, Neuqua Valley
Krol's early-season debut sparked a 17-game winning streak and an Upstate Eight Conference title run. On the heels of his third playoff win, the junior lefty will try to pitch and hit his team to a second straight state title this weekend. Krol has an 8-1 record with a 0.94 ERA, 102 strikeouts in 52 innings, two no-hitters and a perfect game. The all-UEC pick is hitting .500 with 4 home runs and 22 RBI. "His return made us a different team," coach Robin Renner said. "That turned us around."
Jake Naumann, Naperville North
This junior pitcher and shortstop already has 18 victories under his belt in a two-year varsity career. This year he went 10-2 with a 1.67 ERA in 751/3 innings as the area's only double-digit winner. His 58 strikeouts were down from last season, but coach Carl Hunckler believes Naumann became a better pitcher this all-DuPage Valley Conference season. He also showed skill at the plate by batting .339. "Jake wants the ball every day," Hunckler said. "He just loves to play."
Mike Nodzenski, Naperville North
The Huskies' team MVP earned that award after a resounding all-DuPage Valley Conference campaign at the plate and a standout effort in his second year starting at catcher. Consistent wire-to-wire, the senior batted .489 and smacked 15 doubles on his way to a .713 slugging percentage. Nodzenski drove in 24 runs hitting in the No. 3 spot in the lineup. The better the pitching, the better he hit. "One of the hardest workers we've had come through the program," coach Carl Hunckler said.
Matt Palackdharry, Wheaton North
After an average junior season, this senior outfielder played huge as the Falcons won a share of the DuPage Valley Conference title and drove toward their first state semifinal appearance today in Joliet. A late-season shoulder injury didn't prevent Palackdharry from becoming an ideal No. 2 hitter in the lineup. The all-DVC honoree is batting .417 with 16 extra-base hits, 35 runs scored and 31 RBI. "He really stepped up when we needed it this season," coach Dan Schoessling said.
Alex Perez, Hinsdale South
For his first year on varsity, Perez performed like a savvy veteran. The junior catcher sparkled at the plate and behind it, matching strong offensive numbers with stellar defensive play. A clutch hitter who always made quick and quality adjustments, Perez batted .450 with 11 doubles and 28 RBI. Defensively, he was rock solid, throwing out 10 of the 14 runners who tried to steal a base on him. "With the year he had, we couldn't have asked anything more of him," coach Kraig Conyer said.
Bryan Roberts, Benet
The 2008 Daily Herald All-Area Baseball Team Captain, Roberts proved to be one of the state's most dominant pitchers in his third varsity season. In 70 innings the hard-throwing senior went 9-2 with 3 saves, posting a 0.89 ERA. Most impressive, though, were his 133 strikeouts against 16 walks. Headed to play at Illinois, Roberts also had a strong season swinging the bat. He hit .404 with 4 homers, 27 RBI and 8 stolen bases. "He carried us this year," coach Jeff Bonebrake said.
Geoff Rowan, Neuqua Valley
Among the area's most valuable player, Rowan thrived on the mound, at the plate and as a catcher. The all-Upstate Eight Conference pick takes a 5-1 record and 0.87 ERA into today's state semifinals. An inspiring senior leader, Rowan's batting .431 with 7 homers and 41 RBI. Behind the plate he's thrown out seven of the 10 runners who tried stealing on him. "He's irreplaceable," coach Robin Renner said. "Without him I don't know what we would have done."
David Schwabe, Driscoll
All-Area in football, basketball and now baseball for a second time, Schwabe leaves Driscoll as one of the school's best athletes ever. Twice all-Suburban Catholic Conference, the senior shortstop has 164 career hits and 59 stolen bases in three varsity seasons. This year he batted .455 with 14 extra-base hits, 41 runs scored, 31 RBI and 14 stolen bases. On the mound he went 3-1. "On top of that he's the finest human being I've coached at Driscoll," coach Sean Bieterman said.
Barrett Serrato, West Chicago
A hidden gem for three varsity seasons with the Wildcats, Serrato emerged as the Player of the Year in the DuPage Valley Conference. The senior shortstop, who's headed to play at Purdue, improved tremendously on defense in only his fourth year playing the position. He batted .451 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI with a .683 slugging percentage. "I can't imagine coaching another player of his caliber, with his character and his desire to keep getting better," coach John Walters said.
Jordan Tassio, Naperville North
The All-Area Football Captain, Tassio adds an All-Area baseball team nod to his list of accolades. The senior second baseman earned a spot on the all-DuPage Valley Conference team by hitting .450 with 5 home runs, 25 RBI and a .716 slugging percentage. Tassio stole 12 bases and scored 46 runs from the leadoff spot. He'll play football and baseball at Western Illinois. "A phenomenal athlete," coach Carl Hunckler said. "No one hit the ball harder than he did this year."
Travis Weldon, Neuqua Valley
A contributor on last year's state championship team, Weldon is a crucial cog in the Wildcats' quest for another state title this weekend. Hitting third in the lineup as a senior shortstop, Weldon carries a .464 batting average into today's action. Among the all-Upstate Eight Conference selection's 18 extra-base hits are 12 doubles that pushed him to 37 RBI. Behind an impressive 58 hits he's scored 40 runs. "He just excelled from the very first game," coach Robin Renner said.
Honorable mention
Eric Albaugh (jr., OF-P, Wheaton Academy); Nick Brown (sr., P-3B, WW South); Aric Dama (jr., P-OF, Wheaton North); Corey Eisenmann (sr., P, Driscoll); Mario Fearon (sr., C, Lake Park); Will Hill (sr., OF, Glenbard South); John Holm (sr., C, Naperville Central); Ryan Javech (sr., C, Wheaton North); Pat Kaminska (jr., P-OF, Naperville Central); Ben Kelsey (sr., OF, Naperville North); Trey Martin (jr., P-3B, Wheaton North); Gary Mayberry (sr., OF, Hinsdale South); Mike McKinley (jr., P, Neuqua Valley); Danny Muisenga (jr., P-IF, Immaculate Conception); Luke Regole (sr., SS, York); Austin Safranski (sr., SS-P, Glenbard North); Chris Savas (jr., 3B, Willowbrook); Ryan Snyder (sr., SS, St. Francis); Alex Staehely (jr., SS, Benet); Jon Surber (so., P-3B, Lisle).
Fantasy All-Area lineup card
1. Jack DeAno (Wheaton North) CF
2. Ian Krol (Neuqua Valley) 1B
3. Joe Biagini (Glenbard South) DH
** Bryan Roberts (Benet) P
4. Jason David (Neuqua Valley) LF
5. Adam Davis (Driscoll) C
6. Anthony Fiorenzi (Downers South) 3B
7. Jordan Tassio (Naperville North) 2B
8. Geoff Rowan (Neuqua Valley) RF
9. Barrett Serrato (West Chicago) SS
The ignitors
Top leadoff hitters:
Sean Cahill (sr., OF, Montini); Jack DeAno (jr., OF-P, Wheaton North); David Schwabe (sr., SS-P, Driscoll); Alex Staehely (jr., SS, Benet); Jordan Tassio (sr., 2B, Naperville North).
The launchers
Top power hitters:
Joe Biagini (sr., C, Glenbard South); Andrew Brauer (sr., 2B-P, Montini); Jason David (sr., OF-P, Neuqua Valley); Adam Davis (sr., C, Driscoll); Alex Staehely (jr., SS, Benet).
The gold gloves
Top defensive players:
Adam Davis (sr., C, Driscoll); Jack DeAno (jr., OF, Wheaton North); Elliot Ganet (sr., OF, Naperville North); Alex Perez (jr., C, Hinsdale South);
Barrett Serrato (sr., SS, West Chicago).
The kings
Top strikeout pitchers:
Andrew Brauer (sr., Montini); Ian Krol (jr., Neuqua Valley); Bryan Roberts (sr., Benet); David Suffern (jr., Glenbard South); Jon Surber (so., Lisle).
The winners
Conference champions:
Downers South, Glenbard North, Naperville North,
Neuqua Valley, Wheaton North.
Regional champions:
Benet, Driscoll, Glenbard South, Immaculate Conception, Lisle,
Neuqua Valley, Wheaton Academy, Wheaton North.
Sectional champions:
Driscoll, Glenbard South, Immaculate Conception,
Neuqua Valley, Wheaton North.
Supersectional champions:
Neuqua Valley, Wheaton North.
The managers
Top coaching jobs:
Jeff Bonebrake (Benet), Carl Hunckler (Naperville North),
Robin Renner (Neuqua Valley), Mike Riley (Glenbard South),
Dan Schoessling (Wheaton North).
The future
Teams to watch in 2009:
Benet, Glenbard South, Naperville Central,
Neuqua Valley, Wheaton North.
-- Kevin Schmit