Baseball notes: Kaneland’s Aversa reaches 400-win milestone

Brian Aversa has accomplished a lot of things over the course of his 23-year career as a high school head baseball coach.

In 2006, he guided Macon Meridian to its first Class A regional diamond championship in school history during the Hawks’ 11-10 victory over Maroa-Forsyth.

That came three years after Macon Meridian finished with a 4-16 record during his first year at the helm in 2003.

In 2006-2007, Aversa became the head baseball coach at Kaneland, where he led the Knights to an 18-13 record his first season before guiding the team to back-to-back 23-13 records in 2009 and 2010.

Aversa and the Knights enjoyed a storybook season in 2011.

Kaneland earned its first Class 3A regional championship with a 2-1 upset of top-seeded Sycamore before knocking off Marmion, 6-3, in the sectional title contest.

That was just the beginning.

Led by Joe Camiliere, Corey Landers, and 2-way standouts Kyle Davidson, Drew French, Sam Komel, and Bobby Thorson, the Knights defeated Peoria-Notre Dame (8-3) and Waterloo (8-2) on their way to an 11-3 triumph over Oak Forest in the 3A state championship game.

Aversa added to his list of milestones last month when he collected his 400th coaching victory in Kaneland’s 9-6 win over Aurora Christian on March 24 in Maple Park.

“It feels good to get over that hump, but really it makes me feel old and humbled looking back on how we all got here,” said Aversa. “Some really good times and some bad ones, too, but overall, it’s just a quick pause then we move forward.”

Aversa, who won 48 games in 4 years at Macon Meridian, is in his 19th season at Kaneland, where he owns a 355-211 record (403 career wins).

During his tenure, Kaneland has captured 7 conference championships and 6 regional titles.

“I’m proud of the consistency that we as a coaching staff continue to put out on the field,” said Aversa. “We don’t take it for granted. More importantly, I’m proud of the people our players become, especially guys that come back to coach with us or even go on to have their own programs.

“The guys that aren’t in baseball any longer are great fathers and husbands. Those relationships with players that span years after they’re done are what I’m most proud of.”

In January, Aversa was inducted into the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.

“I couldn’t do it without my players and coaches,” he said. “It’s truly a cumulative recognition for all of us. The wins go next to my name, but in no way, shape, or form, can I do any of this myself.”

Kaneland, which split 4 games during its Panama City Beach Tournament (Fla.), carries a 4-2 record into this week’s action.

Wheaton Academy’s Jackson From enjoyed a memorable season debut.

In his first at-bat of the season, From belted a 2-run home run during the Warriors’ 10-5 victory over IC Catholic Prep on March 21.

Bryce Legel picked up the win, allowing 1 earned run with 6 strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings pitched.

Following a 4-2 loss to Glenbard East on March 27, the Warriors (3-7) went 0-5 during their spring trip to Florida March 31-April 3.

Legel fanned 9 during the Warriors’ 5-4 loss to Melbourne, while junior Lincoln Park tossed a complete game with 6 strikeouts, and junior Eli Tate went 2 for 3 with a home run and double in the team’s 4-3 loss to Cocoa Beach.

“Even though it was a tough trip against some good competition, we learned a lot, and as a coach, I believe we will be better off as the season goes on,” said Wheaton Academy coach Justin Swider.

Aurora Christian stretched its winning streak to 7 with Friday’s 8-2 triumph over Aurora Central Catholic.

Zach Zappia, who tossed a 5-inning, no-hitter during the Eagles’ 12-0 victory over Plano on March 22, gave up 1 earned run over 5 innings with 8 strikeouts against the Chargers.

Preston Morel (2 RBI) and Nolan Robertson each had a pair of hits against ACC.

The Eagles (8-2) have received additional contributions from Jack Burns, Nolan Hensley, Owen Niedzwiecki, Kaleb Elwood, Asa Johnson, and Cristian Huerta.

Earlier in the season, ACC downed St. Edward, 15-0 in 4 innings, behind Luke Torrence (6 strikeouts), Nick Czerak (3-for-3, 2B, 3B), and Colin Renteria (2B, 2 RBI).

Brodie Curry has also swung a hot bat for the Chargers, going 3-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI against Walther Christian, while adding a 3-for-4 effort with a home run, triple, and 3 RBI, during a 10-5 victory over Newark.

Jackson Michels smacked a home run and drive in 3 during the Chargers’ 10-9 season-opening loss to Plano last month.

Curry and Michels each have a pair of home runs, while Raul Gomez, Jr., leads the Chargers (8-3) with a .583 batting average.

Westmont’s Ricky Yenkin enjoyed a memorable 2-way performance during the Sentinels’ 16-0, 5-inning rout of Ida Crown last month.

While tossing a 1-hit complete game with 9 strikeouts, Yenkin went 3 for 4 at the plate with 2 RBI and a pair of stolen bases.

The Sentinels are 4-5-1 overall.