Baseball all-area team / DuPage County
Matt Albin, Glenbard North
The three-year starter solidified his status as one of the area's premier pitchers and added much-needed offense to the Panthers' lineup as an infielder. This senior season he batted .327 from the three hole but more importantly went 7-2 with a 0.97 ERA and 75 strikeouts. "He was the whole package for us," coach Rich Smelko said.
Clark Brinkman,
IC Catholic Prep
Committed to Dayton, Brinkman made sure the Knights were as good as anyone when he was on the mound. A stellar center fielder who hit .462 with a .720 slugging percentage, the four-year varsity member went 7-3 with a 0.85 ERA. "With his presence on the mound, we just played better behind him," coach Zach Rodeghero said.
Kevin Coppin, Lisle
A key component in last year's Class 2A state title run, Coppin continued to excel as a senior. The shortstop and catcher was a four-year starter who this season batted .438 with 3 home runs, 28 RBI and 35 runs scored. "He's never satisfied," coach Pete Meyer said. "He's always working harder for that edge to make himself better."
Jack Eddy, Waubonsie Valley
If the Warriors were going to have a successful season, Eddy needed to come up big on the mound. That's exactly what the senior did in helping the team to Upstate Eight and regional titles. With especially strong off-speed stuff, Eddy went 8-1 with a 0.76 ERA and 70 strikeouts. "He made a big leap for us this year," coach Dan Fezzuoglio said.
Sean Frontzak, Montini
After thriving out of the bullpen as a sophomore, Frontzak emerged as a No. 1 starter as a junior. The 6-foot-4 pitcher led the area with 9 wins while facing the toughest teams on Montini's schedule. Frontzak went 9-2 with a 1.82 ERA and 54 strikeouts. "He's gotten bigger and stronger, and that's really helped him," coach Bob Landi said.
Sam Hanson, Metea Valley
Hanson went from being an occasional contributor from the nine spot last year to an everyday impact player leading off as a senior. The slick-fielding center fielder excelled at making pitchers work deep into counts, and batted .452 with 33 runs scored and 11 steals. "He was our igniter this year," coach Craig Tomczak said.
Tyler Hasper, Waubonsie Valley
A three-time all-Upstate Eight honoree, Hasper graduates among the Warriors' all-time greats. The pitcher-outfielder went 6-2 with a 0.87 ERA, 66 strikeouts and 3 saves. Hasper hit .394 with 2 homers and 22 RBI. "He had the biggest impact on our program since (2005 graduate) Mike Bowden," coach Dan Fezzuoglio said.
Pat Maloney, Naperville Central
On the heels of an All-Area basketball campaign, Maloney didn't miss a beat this spring. The senior pitcher paired a mid-80s fastball with a strong breaking ball to go unbeaten in the DuPage Valley while leading the Redhawks to the title. He went 8-1 with a 1.42 ERA. "He really figured it out this year," coach Mike Stock said. "He was our leader."
Bob McMillen,
Naperville Central
You'd be hard-pressed to find another offensive season like the one McMillen just put together. Committed to Iowa State to play football, the junior outfielder led the area with a .523 batting average. He had 25 extra-base hits, including 7 homers, and 28 RBI. "He had the best hitting season I've ever been around,' coach Mike Stock said.
Joe Provenzano,
Downers Grove North
The three-year starter used every inch of the field to develop into one of the area's most productive hitters. Provenzano, a senior shortstop who also spent time at second, batted .462 with 15 extra-base hits, 21 RBI and 38 runs scored. "His level of consistency was really something," coach Chad Isaacson said.
Mike Rothmund, Willowbrook
Perhaps the area's most feared hitter, the senior first baseman enjoyed some unstoppable streaks this season. Rothmund, committed to the University of Illinois-Springfield, hit .461 with 24 extra-base hits, 6 home runs, an .873 slugging percentage and 40 RBI. "Everything he hit this season, he hit hard," coach Vic Wisner said.
Anthony Santos, York
The Daily Herald DuPage All-Area Baseball Captain, Santos carried the Dukes to the West Suburban Silver title. The senior pitcher and first baseman hit .460 with 3 homers and 37 RBI. On the mound he went 7-1 with a 1.04 ERA and 58 strikeouts. "One of the hardest-working kids I've ever been around," coach Dave Kalal said.
Will Simoneit, Glenbard West
How dependable was Simoneit behind the plate? The junior catcher played all 21 innings of an extra-innings-filled doubleheader against Lyons Twp. The hard work didn't adversely affect him at the plate, where Simoneit hit .442 with 24 RBI. "With Will's work ethic, I think he can only get better," coach Andy Schultz said.
Danny Spinuzza,
Downers Grove South
A player known for his pitching prowess, Spinuzza led the Mustangs in two-out RBI. The senior outfielder, also a standout basketball player, hit .402 with 20 RBI. The team's ace, Spinuzza went 8-1 with a 1.64 ERA and 46 strikeouts. "Danny just goes out there and competes, and that's what you like about him," coach Darren Orel said.
Brett Struebing, WW South
The Pitcher of the Year in the DuPage Valley Conference never disappointed, right up until Struebing threw 8-plus scoreless innings in the Tigers' final game of the season. The senior went 7-1 with a 1.22 ERA and 68 strikeouts. "When we needed him the most, Brett always came through for us," coach Tim Brylka said.
Jason Sullivan, St. Francis
A year after helping the Spartans to the Class 3A final, Sullivan remains an all-around leader. The junior shortstop was the team's top hitter, defender and pitcher. He hit .417 with 24 runs scored and posted a 2.01 ERA with 3 wins and 3 saves. "He does so many things well, he's a player you can build around," coach Rich Janor said.
Jack Szott, Metea Valley
The Mustangs knew Szott had the stuff to be an ace pitcher. This year they found out they also could count on the junior to deliver at the plate. Szott hit .386 with 3 homers and 30 RBI while going 4-1 with a 1.11 ERA. "The sky's the limit for him on the mound, but he's really turning himself into a complete player," coach Craig Tomczak said.
Ryan Taylor,
Downers Grove South
Taylor was the top hitter on the area's top-hitting team. The versatile junior spent the bulk of his time at third base but he also caught several games and served as the Mustangs' closer. Taylor was 5-for-5 in save chances, and batted .452 with 3 homers and 28 RBI. "He had stretches where he hit everything he saw," coach Darren Orel said.
Ben Vietri,
Waubonsie Valley
A beast at the plate, Vietri's 57 hits this senior season left him one shy of the program record. Seventeen of those hits were doubles and two were home runs. The first baseman batted .438 with 34 RBI and a .631 slugging percentage. "He may be the best pure hitter we've had in our program," coach Dan Fezzuoglio said.
Chris Whelan, Benet
The Bradley-bound shortstop, a three-year starter and two-time all-East Suburban Catholic Conference pick, was the ESCC's offensive player of the year. Benet's top hitter for all three varsity seasons, Whelan this year batted .434 with 20 extra-base hits, 26 RBI and 31 runs scored. "He just loves being on the field," coach Scott Lawler said.