Baseball: Fox Valley All-Area team

Brandon Altergott HuntleyThis senior center fielder followed up a strong junior season by developing into a more dangerous presence in the batter's box. "This year he became a better situational hitter," Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said. "He did a better job putting the ball in play with two strikes. That just makes him a more complete package because he's a five-tool player. McHenry County College is getting a special player here." Altergott led Huntley with a .349 batting average (38-for-109) and posted team highs in doubles (7), triples (2), home runs (3), stolen bases (14) and runs (26).

Garrett Bright Crystal Lake SouthThis multitalented senior was a dynamic force for the Gators at shortstop and at the plate. A three-year varsity performer, Bright won the area batting crown, finishing with a school-record .515 average (53-for-103). His 11 walks contributed to a .547 on-base percentage and he slugged .748 with 13 doubles, a triple and 3 home runs. Through the end of the regular season, he led the area with 40 RBI, also a CL South record, and he ranked fourth in stolen bases (20). A sure-handed fielder, he made only 7 errors in 124 chances (43 assists, 74 putouts) for a .944 fielding percentage. His glovework saved a 1-run win against Jacobs when he snared a groundball in the hole and fired to second base for a game-ending forceout with the bases loaded. "I think that play sums up his whole season," CL South coach Brian Bogda said. "He's the whole package. It's amazing he was able to break school hitting records in the BBCOR era."

Danny Denz Dundee-CrownCommitted to Memphis before his junior season, this second-year varsity pitcher developed into one of the area's best all-around players. He dazzled on the mound, going 7-4 with a 1.75 ERA. In 60 innings he struck out an area-best 87 hitters, allowed 46 hits and walked 18 (1.067 WHIP). The 247 batters Denz faced hit .208 collectively and none homered. A versatile athlete, he also played first base and the outfield and his .315 batting average (28-for-89) was second best among the 20-win Chargers. He hit 6 doubles and drove in 11. "His ability to play multiple positions as well as hit as well as he did provided leadership that will be needed for our success in the future," Dundee-Crown coach Jon Anderson said. "On the mound he was an emotional leader and always put forth his best effort."

Ryan George JacobsOne of the brightest members of the all-area team, this right-handed pitcher will join the Ivy League program at Brown next year. His final high school season has been a memorable one. The winning pitcher in a sectional final against DeKalb, George later threw 3 scoreless innings against Stevenson to become the winning pitcher in Jacobs' first supersectional victory. He enters the state finals with 60 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.08 in 57⅓ innings. George has limited opponents to 17 earned runs on 42 hits and 18 walks (1.047 WHIP). He defeated state semifinal opponent Mt. Carmel on April 30 by limiting the Caravan to 3 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings. "He beat Mt. Carmel, which showed us he can win big games," Jacobs coach Jamie Murray said. "He's just a great team leader, a smart kid. He's had a positive impact on our pitching staff."

Larkin Hanselmann Cary-GroveA two-time all-area baseball pick and an all-area football honoree, this senior demonstrated his all-around athleticism on the mound, at the plate and on the bases. Hanselmann hit .353 (36-for-102) with 6 doubles, a triple and 12 RBI. One of the most effective leadoff hitters in the area, he drew 13 walks and reached base at a .432 clip. Once on base he was a terror, stealing an area-best 26 bases in 30 attempts. He scored 35 runs, tied for fourth-most in the area. He also was one of top left-handed pitchers in the suburbs with a 9-1 record. He led the FVC Valley champion Trojans with a team-low 1.27 ERA in 60⅔ innings over 11 starts with 78 strikeouts and 30 walks. Hanselmann capped a brilliant season with a 9-inning, 4-hit shutout of Mid-Suburban League-West champion Barrington in a regional semifinal. "He just loves to be on the mound and compete," Cary-Grove coach Don Sutherland said. "Nothing fazes him. He's a threat on the bases and a fantastic outfielder. He's an all-around great baseball player."

Kyle Hays South ElginNo player improved more year over year than South Elgin's third baseman. He hit .271 as a junior but raised his average to .408 as a senior (42-for-103) while collecting 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 22 RBI. Hays drew 10 walks, was hit by 6 pitches and finished with a 1.036 OPS (. 487 on-base, .549 slugging). "He's one of those kids I enjoy most because he's a grinder," South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. "I can't say enough good things about him. He comes to work with a lunchpail and a hard hat and just works. He hits all the time and he takes grounders all the time. And he's a smart kid, too." Hays is headed to Northern Illinois to study engineering but is considering walking on.

Brett Johnson Dundee-CrownA repeat all-area selection and a two-year fixture at catcher and in the 3-hole in Dundee-Crown's batting order, this senior enjoyed another superb season. Johnson hit .344 (33-for-96). His 14 doubles were tied for tops among area hitters. He also belted 2 home runs and 2 triples and drove in 16. Committed to Wisconsin-LaCrosse, he led the Chargers in runs (24), partly by drawing a team-best 24 walks, which contributed to a .475 on-base percentage. He slugged .594 to finish with a healthy 1.069 OPS. Behind the plate, Johnson made only 5 errors in 222 total chances (. 978) and he threw out 25 percent of runners attempting to steal. (13 of 52). "His emergence behind the plate helped our young pitching staff," Dundee-Crown coach Jon Anderson said. "At the plate he was always a tough out and provided many timely hits. His teammates viewed him as the leader of the team."

Max Keough South ElginNamed the honorary captain of the 2015 all-area team, this senior right-hander led South Elgin to a sectional final by winning 2 playoff games on top of a 6-1 regular season. In 69⅓ innings, the Bartlett resident allowed only 9 earned runs on 45 hits and 16 walks to finish with an area-low 0.91 ERA among qualifying pitchers and a .880 WHIP. Committed to Wisconsin-Oshkosh, this academic all-state nominee who graduated with a 4.2 grade-point average developed a changeup in the off-season to complement his sharp curveball. He commanded all three pitches, evidenced by 67 strikeouts. "He tweaked a few things in the off-season, adding that changeup to go with a nice, tight curveball and a fastball with arm-side movement," South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. "He just goes out there and wins."

Jon Lenz LarkinThis double threat finished the season as Larkin's leading pitcher and second-leading hitter. On the mound, the future Elgin Community College Spartan posted a 1.92 earned-run average in 47⅓ innings with 46 strikeouts and 18 walks. Hitting third in the lineup, he batted .354 (34-for-96) with 6 doubles and drove in 17 runs. The senior shortstop drew 9 walks, reached base in 41 percent of his plate appearances, stole 5 bases and scored 17 runs. "The thing I'm most proud of is the leap he made as a leader," Larkin coach Matt Esterino said. "He's reserved most of the time but he led by example and became more vocal. He took strides in every area this year."

Dan Lenz LarkinThis senior led the Royals with a .393 batting average (35-for-89), which included 6 doubles, 2 triples and a home run. The Elgin Community College recruit was adept at bunting or slashing for a hit, but mostly "he hit the ball all over the field," Larkin coach Matt Esterino said, "and if he made outs, they were usually line drives right at somebody." Lenz drew 15 walks and reached base at a .518 clip, which equated to a 1.057 OPS when combined with his .539 slugging percentage. Defensively, Lenz filled a need at catcher. "He has the most unbelievable hands of any player since I've been coach here," Esterino said. "He was a vocal leader for us and a competitor who gave everything he had every time out."

Wyatt Mascarella Cary-GroveCommitted to Illinois-Chicago, this strong-armed catcher swung one the area's most dangerous bats after a dedicated off-season of work with his teammates and a personal trainer. The senior clubbed an area-best 8 home runs, none more clutch than his grand slam that tied a game against second-place Crystal Lake South, a game the Trojans eventually won. Voted team captain, Mascarella hit .351 (34-for-97) and finished second in the area with 39 RBI. He drew a team-high 24 walks and reached base in 49.2 percent of his plate appearances. His 8 doubles contributed to a .691 slugging percentage and a 1.183 OPS. He even stole 6 bases in 6 tries. "He did a great job both offensively and defensively and he was a great team leader," Cary-Grove coach Don Sutherland said. "He had a great year and some great at-bats but his biggest contribution was leadership."

Nick Menken South ElginThis aggressive South Elgin senior made an impact in the field and at the plate. A fleet-footed center fielder committed to junior college power Iowa Western, he hit .398 (35-for-91) with 6 doubles, 3 triples a home run and 21 RBI. Batting third in the order, he drew 20 walks and struck out only 10 times in 111 plate appearances, which partly explains his .505 on-base percentage. He swiped 24 bags in 24 tries and scored 24 runs. Menken slugged .568 to register an impressive 1.073 OPS. "We believed Nick had the talent to do these things, and this year he did it on a consistent basis and hit the way we envisioned," South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. "He won games for us with his glove and his bat, and he has solid speed. He caused problems for opponents with his baserunning."

Tripp Paris BartlettThis junior excelled on the mound and at the plate in his second varsity season. The right-hander was Bartlett's most effective pitcher. Paris won 5 games, posted a 1.82 ERA in 57⅔ innings, struck out 47 and walked 20. At the plate, he led the Hawks with a .392 batting average, a .586 slugging percentage and 1.009 OPS. An all-Upstate Eight Valley selection, his 13 doubles are tied for third-most in the area and he ranks fourth in RBI (30). "He had a great off-season and got himself ready to be one of our leaders as a junior," Bartlett coach Chris Pemberton said. "It's good to have him coming back next season."

Tyler Pennington Cary-GroveThis sophomore made an impact in a full-time role in 2015 after a late-season call up in 2014. Also an all-area football player for Cary-Grove's state runner-up last fall, Pennington hit .346 (36-for-104) with 11 doubles, 2 triples and 2 home runs. His 30 RBI are tied for fourth-most in the area. In 125 plate appearances he finished with more walks (13) than strikeouts (12). He also stole 9 bases in 10 attempts and scored 32 runs, tied for sixth-most in the area. "He did a fantastic job in left field as well as at the plate," Cary-Grove coach Don Sutherland said.

Jimmy Perkins Cary-GroveThis all-around athlete got it done with his arm and his bat for the FVC Valley champion Trojans. The senior finished with a .404 batting average (38-for-94). He smacked 12 doubles, 3 triples a home run and drove in 27. His 20 walks contributed to a team-best .517 on-base percentage and he slugged .628 to finish with a 1.145 OPS. He stole 8 bases in 11 attempts and scored 25 runs. On the mound, Perkins opened the year as a starter but transitioned to a stopper out of the pen. In 11 appearances (5 starts) the right-hander went 1-1 with 4 saves. Perkins posted a 1.85 ERA in 34 innings with 45 strikeouts and 23 walks. "We went with Jim in that late-relief role and he did a fantastic job," Cary-Grove coach Don Sutherland said. "Offensively, when we were winning all those games Jimmy kept coming through with hits and did a great job in the middle of the lineup."

Johnny Rohde JacobsWith a fastball clocked at 90 mph, this right-handed fireballer developed into one of the top closers in area history. A junior, he enters the state finals with 12 saves in 13 opportunities. Rohde has notched 34 strikeouts in 24⅔ innings and yielded only 3 earned runs on 13 hits and 8 walks (. 851 WHIP). He owns an ERA of 0.85 and has been scored upon only twice in 22 appearances. "That's almost unheard of in high school," Jacobs coach Jamie Murray said. "He has great stuff. He's a team player who really bought into the role, and I think he showed everybody that he's a great closer."

Ryan Sargent JacobsCommitted to Ohio University as an outfielder, this speedy center fielder made great catches look routine when he wasn't doubling as one of the area's top pitchers. On the mound, Sargent is 5-2 in 11 appearances (10 starts) with a 2.08 ERA. In 59 innings, he has struck out a team-leading 64 hitters and walked 17. Particularly effective in the playoffs, Sargent threw a 2-hit shutout against FVC Valley champion Cary-Grove to win a regional title, and he held NIC-10 champion Rockford Boylan to 4 hits in 6 innings to help secure a sectional plaque. "He's been swinging a hot bat for the last few weeks and he has a lot of mojo on the mound," Jacobs coach Jamie Murray said. "As a pitcher, I think anyone would want to have that guy on the mound. He's shut down two of the best lineups we've seen." Sargent is hitting. 274 (34-for-124) with 4 doubles, a home run and 15 RBI. In 149 plate appearances, he has nearly as many walks (18) as strikeouts (19) and reaches base 38.5 percent of the time. He has stolen 9 bases in 13 attempts and scored 26 runs.

Matthew Schingel Crystal Lake SouthThe only area pitcher to crack double-digit victories, this 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-hander went 10-0 in 10 starts, thanks in part to his tantalizing curveball. "When he was getting the curve over with that 12-to-6 drop on it, he was pretty unstoppable," Crystal Lake South coach Brian Bogda said. "He has good velocity, but that curve makes his fastball look even faster." Committed to Northwest Missouri State, the senior allowed 14 earned runs on 38 hits and 25 walks for a team-low 1.71 earned-run average and 1.10 WHIP. He struck out 31 in 57⅓ innings. In Schingel's final high school start against McHenry on May 20, he tossed a 4-hitter in a 5-1 victory. He also contributed at the plate, batting .292 with 3 doubles, a triple, a home run and 12 RBI.

Tanner Smith Burlington CentralThis senior hit .491 (53-for-108), the second-highest average in the Fox Valley area. The Elgin Community College-bound senior smacked 8 doubles, a triple and a home run and drove in 21. Drawing 18 walks in 135 plate appearances lifted his on-base percentage to .564 and he slugged .611 to amass a 1.175 OPS. He stole 13 bases in 17 attempts and his team-best 40 runs rank second in the area. A second baseman at the high school level, his natural position is shortstop. He used his strong arm at second base in combination with shortstop Drew Wiss to turn 10 double plays. "He just so solid defensively with such a strong arm," Burlington Central coach Kyle Nelson said. "He's very much a line-drive hitter, but he began to hit for power at the end of the year. He had a great season."

Dane Toppel South ElginA key contributor to both South Elgin's 2015 sectional final appearance and its 2014 run to third place in Class 4A, this senior shortstop ignited the South Elgin offense from the leadoff spot. Committed to Eastern Illinois, Toppel hit .356 (37-for-104) with 7 doubles, a triple and 13 RBI. He drew 9 walks, reached base 42 percent of the time, stole 17 bases in 19 attempts and scored a team-best 30 runs. "He's our table setter," South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. "He has above-average speed and does really good things for us. In the field he's lightning in a bottle. He's a leader who sets the bar with intensity and gets the kids going."

Ryan Weiss South ElginThis senior was a catcher in the South Elgin program less than two years ago. After learning to pitch as a junior, the 6-foot-4 right-hander added 10 pounds and 3 mph to his fastball and enjoyed a breakout senior campaign. His season highlights include a no-hitter against Glenbard East on April 8 and a 1-hit shutout of No. 2 sectional seed Willowbrook in the Class 4A Wheaton North title game. Committed to Elgin Community College, Weiss went 6-2 with 1 save in 10 appearances, 9 starts. He finished with a 2.19 ERA and .994 WHIP in 54⅓ innings, struck out 65 and walked 12. "He worked hard in the off-season and it showed," South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. "He should be something to see two years from now because he has room to add weight to his frame and improve his velocity, and his curve and change are only going to get better. He's a smart kid and he's still raw. And he's a great kid. I think the world of him."

Luke Weston Westminster ChristianCommitted to Judson University, this senior was the leading hitter and most effective pitcher for the Northeastern Athletic Conference champions. The right-hander went 3-0 with a 1.00 earned-run average in 35 innings. He struck out 43 batters, allowed only 5 earned runs on 23 hits and walked 18. At the plate he hit a team-best .383 (23-for-60) with 7 doubles, a triple and a home run and he drove in 18. In 82 plate appearances, he drew 16 walks and struck out just 3 times. His .549 on-base percentage and .583 slugging percentage yield an OPS of 1.132. "Luke's solid work ethic both on and off the field was an inspiration to the team," Westminster Christian coach Steven Gallaher said. "He always expected more of himself and the team and will take that dedication to the college level at Judson. Wherever we put Luke in the lineup, most teams pitched around him or walked him."

Clay White ElginThis pitcher/infielder/outfielder developed into one of the more athletic players in the area as a senior. Committed to Elgin Community College, White was one of the area's best defenders due to his good hands and natural speed whether he was pitching, playing shortstop or center field. He made only 6 errors in 113 total chances (. 947) and took part in 4 double plays. His speed translated to 24 stolen bases - the area's second-highest total - in 26 attempts. He drew 18 walks and scored 27 runs, 10 more than the next closest teammate. On the mound, a 2-7 record belied his effectiveness. He posted a 2.54 ERA in 56⅔ innings, struck out 50 and walked 12. Only one of the 251 batters he faced hit a home run. "The biggest thing with Clay is he always wants to be on the mound with the ball in his hand," Elgin coach David Foerster said. "In his two varsity seasons, he has thrown some of the best games I've seen in my nine years as coach here."

Andrew Wiss Burlington CentralCommitted to the Air Force Academy, this multitalented shortstop was a dynamic figure for the Big Northern East champs. The senior paced the Rockets with a .420 batting average (42-for-100), including 12 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 29 RBI. His 15 walks in 123 plate appearances contributed to a .508 on-base percentage and he slugged .730 to finish with an area-best 1.238 OPS. Wis also stole 13 bases and scored 32 runs. He took part in 10 double plays and 1 triple play in which he recorded a putout and an assist. "He really does everything you ask a shortstop to do," Burlington Central coach Kyle Nelson said. "He makes routine plays, he makes great plays, hits for average, hits for power, steals bases - he's the entire package."

2015 All-area roster

Player School Pos. Yr.

Brandon Altergott Huntley CF Sr.

Garrett Bright Crystal Lake South SS Sr.

Danny Denz Dundee-Crown P/IF/OF Jr.

Ryan George Jacobs P Sr.

Larkin Hanselmann Cary-Grove P/OF Sr.

Kyle Hays South Elgin 3B Sr.

Brett Johnson Dundee-Crown C Sr.

*Max Keough South Elgin P Sr.

Dan Lenz Larkin C Sr.

Jon Lenz Larkin P/SS Sr.

Wyatt Mascarella Cary-Grove C Sr.

Nick Menken South Elgin CF Sr.

Tripp Paris Bartlett P/OF Jr.

Tyler Pennington Cary-Grove LF So.

Jimmy Perkins Cary-Grove P/OF Sr.

Johnny Rohde Jacobs P Jr.

Ryan Sargent Jacobs CF/P Sr.

Matthew Schingel Crystal Lake South P/3B Sr.

Tanner Smith Burlington Central 2B Sr.

Dane Toppel South Elgin SS Sr.

Ryan Weiss South Elgin P Sr.

Luke Weston Westminster Christian P/ Sr.

Clay White Elgin P Sr.

Andrew Wiss Burlington Central SS Sr.

* - Honorary captain

Honorable mentionBartlett - Cory Krolikowski (Sr., SS), Myles Zilinsky (Sr., OF)

Burlington Central - Andrew Lauber (C/3B/DH), John Murphy (Jr., C/3B/DH), Killian Vascica (So., C/1B/DH)

Cary-Grove - Zach Forney (Sr., DH/C), Nick Franz (Sr., P)

Crystal Lake South - Mike Avella (Sr., LF/P), John Constantino (Sr. P/1B), Ryan Wilkening (Sr., P)

Dundee-Crown - Jared Ludwig (Sr. P/1B)

Elgin Academy - Ian Wilson (So., 3B/C/P)

Jacobs - Casey Dennison (Sr., P/1B), Matt Kozlak (Sr., SS)

Hampshire - Alex Crinigan (Sr., P), Trey Schramm (Sr., P/OF)

Larkin - Zach Edgar (Sr., IF)

St. Edward - Jake LaFrenz (Sr., 1B), Jack Tierney (Sr., P)

Westminster Christian - Frank Anguilo (Sr., P/IF), Justin Rasmussen (Jr., P)

Captain's honor roll1996 - Jeff Chiles (Crystal Lake South)

1997 - Brian Smith (Larkin)

1998 - Matt Krabbe (Larkin)

1999 - Jason Richardson (Larkin)

2000 - Ryan McKenna (Larkin)

2001 - Jason McMillan (Dundee-Crown) and Dan Sheldon (Burlington Central)

2002 - Trevor Huisinga (Bartlett)

2003 - Alex Turk (Burlington Central)

2004 - Doug Sanders (St. Edward)

2005 - Chris Ritchie (Burlington Central) and Chris Schultz (Elgin)

2006 - Kevin Steinhaus (Dundee-Crown)

2007 - Brad Porto (Burlington Central) and Elliot Soto (Dundee-Crown)

2008 - Ben Palmer (Westminster Christian) and T.J. Swank (Prairie Ridge)

2009 - Brian Brauer (Streamwood) and Craig Lipp (Huntley)

2010 - Ben Albano (Jacobs) and Austin Jarvis (Burlington Central)

2011 - Josh Harris (Streamwood)

2012 - Jordan Van Dyck (Crystal Lake South)

2013 - Tyler Hall (Crystal Lake South) and Mark Skonieczny (Huntley)

2014 - Ryan Nutof (South Elgin)

2015 - Max Keough (South Elgin)

All-area selections and capsules by Jerry Fitzpatrick