BLAKE ALEXANDER
BURLINGTON CENTRAL, SENIOR
Alexander capped his varsity career by earning unanimous All-Big Northern East honors. The shortstop led the Rockets with a .349 batting average and 25 runs scored. He also had one home run and 10 RBI.
“Blake gave us a three-year varsity guy up the middle,” Burlington Central coach Kyle Nelson said. “He took great at-bats all year.”
PIOTR BARNAS
HAMPSHIRE, SENIOR
Barnas was a spark plug at the top of the batting order for the Whip-Purs, finishing with a .347 average and 19 runs scored. The All-Fox Valley Fox honoree also had one home run and 19 RBI.
“Piotr was the heart and soul of our team,” Hampshire coach John Sarna said. “He was a pleasure to coach and we’re truly going to miss him.”
NICK BINDER
SOUTH ELGIN, SENIOR
Binder was one of the area’s most productive shortstops, leading the Storm with a .380 batting average and 21 runs scored. The All-Upstate Eight Valley honoree also had 15 RBI. He will play at Lindenwood University next year.
“Nick is a real hard-working kid who can play multiple positions,” South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. “I can only see growth from him in college.”
ALEX BUTTELL
ELGIN, SENIOR
Buttell made key contributions on defense, alternating between center field and shortstop depending on who was pitching for the Maroons. The All-Upstate Eight River honoree also had one home run, 11 runs scored and a .261 batting average.
“Alex really stepped his game up as a leader and by playing two important positions,” Elgin coach Dave Foerster said.
NICK HUSKISSON
ST. CHARLES EAST, SENIOR
Huskisson played several key roles for the Saints, posting a 7-2 record on the mound with a 1.79 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 66 innings. The All-Upstate Eight River honoree also had a .355 batting average, two home runs and 19 RBI. He will play at Illinois Wesleyan next year.
“For most of the year Nick was our leading hitter, and on the mound he was outstanding,” St. Charles East coach Len Asquini said.
JACOB KOEHRING
ST. EDWARD, SENIOR
Koehring was a rock on the mound for the Green Wave, finishing a 4-2 record, a 1.69 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings. The two-time All-Suburban Christian Gold selection also hit .275 with 23 RBI and 18 runs scored. He will play at Indiana Tech next year.
“Jacob’s most valuable contribution was being a leader for our young pitching staff,” St. Edward coach Tim Dovichi said.
AARON MECIEJ
JACOBS, SENIOR
Meciej was the top hitter in the Golden Eagles lineup with a .381 average. The All-Fox Valley Valley honoree also tallied 19 RBI and 17 runs scored. He will play at Monmouth College next year.
“Aaron worked his heart out,” Jacobs coach Jamie Murray said. “He was pretty consistent all year and had some big moments.”
NIKO MORADO
LARKIN, SENIOR
Morado’s four-year run as the starting catcher for the Royals ended with a selection to the All-Upstate Eight River team. The Roosevelt University recruit led Larkin with 15 RBI and 18 runs scored to go along with a .258 average and .384 OBP.
“Niko was our leader and a big part of our program the last four years,” Larkin coach Matt Esterino said.
RYAN NUTOF
SOUTH ELGIN, JUNIOR
Nutof developed into the ace of the Storm’s pitching staff, compiling a 5-1 record, 0.76 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 37 innings. The All-Upstate Eight Valley selection also had a .310 batting average and 11 RBI.
“Once Ryan got rolling it was fun to watch him pitch,” South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. “I don’t think he’s tapped into what he can do yet.”
ANKUR SHAH
ST. CHARLES NORTH, SENIOR
Shah headlined the pitching rotation for the North Stars, finishing with a 5-4 record, a 1.75 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 60 innings. The All-Upstate Eight River honoree will play at Illinois-Chicago next year.
“Ankur worked tremendously hard in the offseason and turned into a really good power pitcher for us,” St. Charles North coach Todd Genke said.
BRIAN SOBIESKI
ST. CHARLES EAST, SENIOR
Sobieski was an offensive catalyst for the Saints, leading the team with 25 RBI and 14 doubles. The All-Upstate Eight River selection also posted a .352 average, 29 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. He will play at Adrian College.
“Brian is a kid that came a long way from last year,” St. Charles East coach Len Asquini said. “He was locked in from day one through the last game.”
JACK TIERNEY
ST. EDWARD, SOPHOMORE
Tierney emerged as a consistent presence at the plate for the Green Wave, posting a .377 average, three home runs, 24 RBI and 23 runs scored. The All-Suburban Christian Gold honoree also went 4-2 on the mound with 26 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings.
“Jack hit 100 points higher than last year, and as a sophomore you can’t ask for anything else,” St. Edward coach Tim Dovichi said.
DOUG VANDYKE
BARTLETT, JUNIOR
VanDyke emerged as a key contributor on the mound for the Hawks, finishing with a 7-2 record. The All-Upstate Eight Valley honoree also posted a 2.33 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 51 innings.
“We kind of threw Doug into the fire, and he withstood all the pressure and performed like someone with a lot of experience,” Bartlett coach Chris Pemberton said.
JEFF WEAVER
STREAMWOOD, SENIOR
Weaver played a leading role for the Sabres, finishing with a team-high .309 batting average, three home runs, 18 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. The Carthage College recruit also posted 17 RBI.
“Jeff was rock-solid for us in right field and had a 1.000 fielding percentage,” Streamwood coach Ryan Lasota said. “He also led us in all the top offensive categories.”
WILL WOODHOUSE
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN, SENIOR
Woodhouse capped his four-year varsity career on a high note, leading the Warriors with a .403 batting average, 29 runs scored, 18 stolen bases and eight doubles. The All-Northeastern Athletic honoree also had 13 RBI.
“Will was our leadoff hitter and did a great job at the top of the order,” Westminster Christian coach Tim Dunderdale said.
ALL-AREA HONORABLE MENTION
Tyler Albright, Huntley, sr.
Brandon Bowen, Hampshire, jr.
Bryan Cynova, Burlington Central, jr.
Clay DeHaan, Westminster Christian, jr.
Troy Dykhuis, St. Charles East, sr.
Chris Guzeman, Larkin, sr.
Brandon Higdon, Elgin, sr.
Grant Kale, Jacobs, jr.
Nick Ledinsky, Jacobs, sr.
Mike Lee, Burlington Central, jr.
Eric Luecht, Huntley, jr.
Tyler Mamrot, Westminster Christian, soph.
Colin Nowak, Bartlett, sr.
David Palmer, South Elgin, sr.
Riley Peltier, Jacobs, jr.
Michael Scott, Burlington Central, sr.
Greg Sidor, Jacobs, sr.
Matt Sullivan, Huntley, jr.
Mike Wick, Bartlett, jr.
Cory Wright, St. Charles North, soph.
