Baseball: Lake County all-area team

Justin Blasinski LakesEach at-bat was like a chess move for Justin Blasinski this season. "Justin has a deep understanding of the game," Lakes coach Ray Gialo said. "He is very competitive and takes each at-bat as a personal battle between him and the pitcher. He is a true student of the game and is the one player everyone wants at the plate in a clutch situation." Blasinski, who started at shortstop, finished with a .400 batting average, including a .483 mark with runners in scoring position. He had 7 doubles and drove in 18 runs in just 24 games played.

Willie Bourbon StevensonA young team, Stevenson needed leadership and Willie Bourbon fit the bill. As quarterback of the football team for three years, Bourbon was thrust into a leadership role. He became comfortable speaking up in the huddle and that transferred to the dugout as well. Bourbon helped lead Stevenson all the way to the supersectional. He was also a leader statistically with a .425 batting average and was a playmaker from third base. "Willie carried the team early in the season," Stevenson coach Paul Mazzuca said. "That helped us get off to a great start."

Brett Buchholz LakesA reserve to start the season, Brett Buchholz wasn't satisfied with that role. He ended the season as the Eagles' starting third baseman. "Once he got his opportunity, he took control of the position," Lakes coach Ray Gialo said of Buchholz. "He finished the year third on the team in RBI (26) and second in batting average (.400). He hit .424 with runners in scoring position." Buchholz also had 6 doubles and 2 home runs.

Matt Burch WarrenTwo years ago, Matt Burch got an opportunity he wasn't expecting and he sure did make the most of it. "We brought him on our spring trip his freshman year but we weren't intending to play him all that much," Warren coach Clint Smothers said. "But then we had an injury and we moved Matt into shortstop and he's been playing there ever since." Burch, now a junior, has already committed to Arkansas. He hit .321 for Warren this year with 38 hits, including 5 doubles and 3 triples. He also drove in 26 runs. "Matt is just a hard-nosed competitor," Smothers said. "He works very hard."

Alex Carrillo Grayslake NorthAs Grayslake North tried to recover from a slow start, it was Carrillo who really finished fast. "He excelled defensively and really carried us offensively during the last few weeks of the season," Grayslake North coach Andy Strahan said of his junior catcher. "Alex gave us stability behind the plate." Carrillo rolled up 39 hits, including 5 doubles and a triple, in 104 at-bats. He finished with a .375 batting average and drove in 22 runs.

Merrick Gentile Grayslake NorthJust a junior and already a three-year varsity starter, Gentile added further to his value this season. He had started the previous two years at third base, but seamlessly moved over to shortstop to help the team fill a need. "Merrick is the best athlete I've ever coached," Grayslake North coach Andy Strahan said of Gentile, also an all-conference quarterback. "He is extremely competitive and has a rare combination of speed and strength. He is a tireless worker who continually strives to get better. He is being recruited by a number of schools." Gentile rolled up 42 hits in 93 at-bats for a .462 batting average. He also had 6 doubles, 2 triples and drove in 14 runs. He finished with 11 stolen bases.

Jimmy Govern LibertyvilleJimmy Govern doesn't have political ambitions right now, but perhaps he should. He did a great job of leading by example at Libertyville. "The kid's work ethic is impeccable," Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said of Govern. "Practice would be over and he'd ask me to leave a bucket of balls out and leave the storage shed open so that he could take 100s of ground balls. He's a great worker." Govern was the Wildcats' shortstop and also led the team in RBI with 30. He finished with a .404 batting average with 40 hits in 99 at-bats, including 8 doubles and 5 triples. Govern will be playing baseball next year at Eastern Illinois.

Andrew Hill WarrenAndrew Hill was certainly tough on the hill. He was Warren's ace and took some tough losses (he finished with a 5-4 record), but he kept his earned run average at 1.90 while rolling up 64 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched. The Bradley-bound Hill, who spent three years on varsity, also drove in a team-leading 41 runs while racking up 34 hits, including 8 doubles and 6 home runs. "With travel ball, a lot of kids today lose sight of what team is in high school. Not Andrew," Warren coach Clint Smothers said. "He's always there at everything. He's always part of the team. He'll do anything you ask and he takes coaching. He's one of the most sincere kids and he's going to do great at Bradley."

Jay Hoffman Grayslake CentralCoaches love players like Hoffman, who makes a coach's life easier, because he is like a coach himself. "I think Jay would make a great coach someday if he chooses that career path," Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. "He's another coach on the field and has pure baseball instincts. He has been our most consistent player all season, which is something you'd expect out of a three-year starter." Hoffman, Grayslake Central's shortstop, has been a part of more than 70 victories over his varsity career and led the Rams to the sectional this season. He had more than 40 hits and 30 stolen bases. He will continue his career at Beloit College next year.

Cooper Johnson CarmelCarmel pitchers didn't have to worry much about opposing baserunners attempting steals. Not with Cooper Johnson behind the plate. "He completely shuts down the other team's running game," Carmel coach Dann Giesey said of Johnson. "He has helped our pitchers have success on the hill once again." Giesey says that Johnson has been one of the top hitters and catchers in Illinois for the last two years, part of the reason Ole Miss was so excited to sign him last summer. This season, Johnson rolled up 39 hits in 99 at-bats, including 11 doubles and 3 home runs. "He has been a consistent hitter for us all year," Giesey said. "And consistently pitched around."

Ben Kimpler LibertyvilleBen Kimpler kept making it tough on his coaches at Libertyville this season. "Early in the year, Ben wasn't really considered one of our top pitchers," Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said. "But then he kept pitching really well and then he's our No. 4. Then he goes from our No. 4 to our No. 1." Kimpler went 6-0 on the mound this season and got wins over some of the top teams in the North Suburban Conference, including Mundelein and Warren. "Ben is 6-foot-6 and when you have a pitcher with great downward tilt like that, it's an advantage," Schurr said. "Ben really learned how to pitch this year and he got more confident and trusted in his pitches and his defense. He had a great year."

Eddie Kusiak GrantFour years ago, Grant placed third in the state finals. Eddie Kusiak is the last remaining member of that team. He was a freshman that season. "He had a great senior year for us as a leader," Grant coach Dave Behm said. "In his four years at Grant, Eddie was a part of six championships (1 regional, 1 sectional, 1 supersectional, 1 third-place championship and 2 Prairie Division championships). His versatility on the field was a big part in Grant's success over his career." Kusiak has played first base and second base for Grant. This season, he had a .402 batting average with 39 hits and 21 RBI.

Kevin Malisheski WaucondaIt wasn't surprising that in the biggest game in Wauconda baseball history to date, junior Kevin Malisheski got the ball. The senior pitcher took the mound in the Grayslake Central sectional championship game and led the Bulldogs to only their second sectional championship in school history. "Kevin has been our No. 1 pitcher and he pitched in all the big games this season," Wauconda coach Bill Sliker said. "Kevin is a power pitcher with good command of his fastball. He's a great athlete and a great competitor. His presence on the mound makes us a better team." Malisheski was 9-3 on the season with a 2.00 earned run average. He also rolled up 67 strikeouts to just 15 walks.

Chris Mathieu WarrenWith a worker-bee mentality, Chris Mathieu simply got the job done. "Chris is the kind of kid who really doesn't say much, he just comes focused every day and does what he's supposed to do," Warren coach Clint Smothers said. "You don't have to worry about him in centerfield. You just pencil him in and he takes care of it. He really worked hard this season to learn (the finer points of baseball) and I think that made him an even better player." Mathieu, who will be playing baseball next year at Illinois-Springfield, had a .349 batting average with 41 hits, including 7 doubles, in 72 at-bats. He also drove in 20 runs.

Garrett McClellan CarmelGoing 5-0 last season with a 2.10 ERA was a good showing for Garrett McClellan. But he wanted more. "He went out in the off-season and worked hard to come into this season in the best shape of his life," Carmel coach Dann Giesey said. "It showed on the field. He truly was one of the best players in the area and in our conference (East Suburban Catholic Conference)." McClellan went 6-3 on the mound this year with two of his losses coming on defensive breakdowns. He boasted a 1.33 earned run average and rolled up 49 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched. He also allowed only 16 walks. "What we also love is that he is a great teammate and leader," Giesey said. "He's always ready to help the team whether it's doing field work or pinch-hitting or playing first base when we have players out with injury."

Connor McNamara Vernon HillsCharged with bringing it on every play as the quarterback of the football team, Connor McNamara brought the same kind of mentality to the baseball season. "He's just been a model of consistency for us the entire year," Vernon Hills coach Jay Czarnecki said of McNamara. "Both defensively and especially offensively, he's a great team player. He has batted either lead-off or third all year and has been our most consistent hitter. He has been a key defensive contributor at both second base and shortstop. He continued to show more and more leadership skills which helped lead our young team to a successful season." McNamara, a junior who also started last year as a sophomore, hit .429 with 10 doubles, 7 triples and 2 home runs. He also drove in 30 runs.

Brendan Murphy MundeleinAt 6-foot-4 with a size 16 shoe, Brendan Murphy makes a big impression anyway. But his pitching also was the talk of the North Suburban Conference this year. The sophomore quickly took on the role of ace for the league champions, going 8-0 with 74 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched. Murphy pitched the Mustangs to a win in the NSC title game against Lakes. "Brendan's composure and poise set him apart from any other sophomore I have ever coached," said Mundelein coach Todd Parola, now in his 21st year. "He has not touched his potential as of yet and will only get better."

Matt Nordlund LakesOn a team where the top three hitters all finished with at least a .400 batting average, Nordlund stood out. "He's one of the hardest working players to come through Lakes High School," Lakes coach Ray Gialo said. Nordlund led the Eagles with a .432 batting average, including a .488 average with runners in scoring position. He was also second on the team in RBI with 23. Nordlund, an outfielder, will continue his baseball career next year at Marian College.

Sam Osisek MundeleinA starter for Mundelein the last two seasons, Osisek has been a part of 62 wins. This year, he probably accounted for some of them single-handedly. Osisek was clutch within the offense, driving in a team-leading 31 runs. He finished with a .340 batting average, including 16 doubles. He also stole 14 bases. "Sam is as good a centerfielder is you will find," Mundelein coach Todd Parola said.

James Pendley GrantAfter graduating six seniors last year, Grant had some big holes to fill and Pendley stepped right in. "He solidified the middle of our lineup," Grant coach Dave Behm said. "We had some big voids and James stepped up for the team time and time again coming up with big hits. He has great strength and hits the ball to all fields with authority." Just a junior, Pendley finished with a .434 batting average with 10 doubles and 2 home runs. He also drove in 34 runs.

Luke Peterson MundeleinMundelein has been one of the most successful baseball programs in Lake County in recent years and Luke Peterson is certainly a common denominator. Peterson has been a part of 62 wins over the last two seasons. Last year, he made the all-area team as an outfielder. This year, the versatile Peterson played third base for the Mustangs. Both seasons, he was key to the offense, hitting in the middle of the lineup, and even occasionally at leadoff this year. Peterson finished this season with a team-leading .386 batting average with 14 doubles, 3 home runs and 27 RBI.

Joe Schaer WaucondaA quiet leader who walks the walk, Schaer gained the respect of his teammates, to the point that he was voted the most valuable player of a team that advanced to the Class 3A supersectional. Schaer led Wauconda with a .430 batting average and also topped the team with 34 hits and 21 RBI. "He is a quiet leader and a great teammate and he'd play anywhere you'd ask him to," Wauconda coach Bill Sliker said. "He goes everywhere. He plays third base, left field, right field. He's kind of a utility guy and helps us out in a lot of places. Offensively, he's a guy you always wanted to come up with men on base."

Chase Slota LakesThe numbers on Slota might be a bit deceiving. "Chase was 5-3 on the year, but his record is not indicative of how he pitched," Lakes coach Ray Gialo said. "His three losses were a 3-2 loss to Grant, a 1-0 loss to Wauconda and a 1-0 loss to Mundelein in the NSC championship game. Opposing hitters had only a .202 batting average against Chase." While Slota took tough losses against some of the better teams in Lake County, he also defeated some of the top teams as well, including Mundelein, Warren and Lake Forest. In 49 innings, he rolled up 44 strikeouts, gave up only 19 walks and had a 2.00 ERA.

Andrew Stone GrantNorth Suburban Conference Prairie Division teams didn't have much success against Stone. He went 9-0 in Prairie Division games over the last two years. "He took the ball in every tough game for us the past two years and was a leader in our program," Grant coach Dave Behm said. Stone helped Grant win 25-plus games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history. This season, Stone finished with a 7-3 record. Overall, he went 16-4 with a 2.41 earned run average over his career. He will be pitching at Carroll College next year.

Jake Vogt LibertyvilleEfficiency was Jake Vogt's middle name at the plate. For the first two weeks of the season, he maintained a .600 batting average. Then he was a .500 for at least a week after that, before settling around .450 for the rest of the season. "His average never dipped below .420," Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said of Vogt. "The hardest thing to teach a high school player is to hit the other way. Most kids are pull-side players. Everyone wants to hit the ball far. It's an ego thing. But Jake was content to get on base. He bought into the 2-strike approach philosophy and when you do that, you become a very good hitter." Vogt, the Wildcats' second baseman, finished with a team-leading .441 batting average. He had 45 hits in 102 at-bats with 10 doubles. He also had 21 stolen bases."

All-area roster

Justin Blasinski SS Sr. Lakes

*Willie Bourbon 3B Sr. Stevenson

Brett Buchholz 3B Sr. Lakes

Matt Burch SS Jr. Warren

Alex Carrillo C Jr. Grayslake North

Merrick Gentile SS Jr. Grayslake North

Jimmy Govern SS Sr. Libertyville

Andrew Hill P Sr. Warren
Jay Hoffman SS Sr. Grayslake Central

Cooper Johnson SS Sr. Carmel

Ben Kimpler P Jr. Libertyville

Eddie Kusiak 2B Sr. Grant

Kevin Malisheski P Jr. Wauconda

Chris Matheiu CF Sr. Warren

Garrett McClellan P Sr. Carmel

Connor McNamara SS Jr. Vernon Hills

Brendan Murphy P So. Mundelein

Matt Nordlund OF Sr. Lakes

Sam Osisek CF sr. Mundelein

James Pendley 1B Jr. Grant

Luke Peterson 3B Sr. Mundelein

Joe Schaer 3B/OF Sr. Wauconda

Chase Slota P Sr. Lakes

Andrew Stone P Sr. Grant

Jake Vogt 2B Sr. Libertyville

* All-area team captain

Honorable mentionStevenson 1B Carter Baretz, sr.; Grayslake North P Jack Barreca, sr.; Grant CF Michael Bengston, jr.; Mundelein P/1B Nick Brune, sr.; Carmel SS Matt Collins, jr; Warren P Ryan Davila, jr.; Grayslake North LF George Deligiannis, sr.; Grayslake Central IF Anthony Fitzgerald, sr.; Grayslake Central OF Ben Fitzgerald, soph.; Lakes 1B Bryan Gross, sr.; Wauconda P/OF Kyle Harmon, sr.; Grant C/OF/SS Nick Heidenthal, sr.; Libertyville C Ryan Jackson, sr., Lake Zurich 3B Jacob Kubin, jr; Libertyville CF Riley Lees, jr.; Grayslake Central P David Llorens, sr.; Stevenson SS Patrick Loeffler, jr.; Vernon Hills C Joey Marras, sr.; Grant SS Matt Mason, jr.; Stevenson C/DH Robby McGaha, jr.; Grayslake Central OF Devin Moran, sr.; Vernon Hills 1B/OF Robby Nardini, sr.; Mundelein SS Carter Naughton, sr.; Carmel LF Griffin Norton, jr; Grayslake Central C Sam Nozicka, jr.; Stevenson P Jacob Nusinow, sr.; Lakes 2B Matt Putman, sr; Grayslake Central P Sam Ruhlmann, jr.; Round Lake C Tyler Sanchez, sr.; Lake Zurich OF Nick Sanders, jr.; Carmel CF/P Joe Santoro, jr; Antioch C Travis Slywka, sr.; Antioch P Justin Stender, sr; Wauconda C Luke Weller, jr.; Carmel P Skylar Williams, sr; Vernon Hills 3B Drew Winegardner, soph.; Grayslake North 3B Danny Yates, soph.; Lake Zurich P Sam Zoibi, sr.

Selections and profiles by Patricia Babcock McGraw