2012 SouthtownStar All-Area Baseball Team
June 22, 2012 11:16PM
Nick Altobella, of St. Laurence
SPECIAL MENTION
Justin Rzeszutko, Andrew; Ryan Krob, Argo; Tyler Banovich, Bremen; Kevin Reiher, Eisenhower; Jack Troike, Lincoln-Way North; Austin Mastela, Lockport; Jason Gasser, Mount Carmel; Brian Richard, Oak Forest; Brian Smith, Oak Lawn; David Beltran, Reavis; Lou Castro, Richards; Matt Cole, Rich Central; Brad Wood, St. Laurence; Jeff Worsech, Lemont; Zach Soria, St. Rita.
HONORABLE MENTION
Tyler Hook, Andrew; Brian Hankey, Johnny Banuelous, Bloom; Shamari Warner, Eric West, Bremen; Sean McGrath, Kevin Biondic, Brother Rice; Trent Overzet, Chicago Christian; Cameron Bass, Christopher Cockle, Mike Wojtanowski, Jonathan Fasel, Zack Silerzio, Crete-Monee; Mark Martin, Kyle Venhuizen, Evergreen Park; Jaylin Banks, Hillcrest; Alex Broskovetz, Kyle Milinowsch, Mike Papierski, Fred Schuett, Lemont; Ricky Amaya, Matt Filkins, Lincoln-Way Central; Bobby Kosola, Dylan Pinto, Kevin Slawkowski, Lincoln-Way East; Josh Handzik, Dominic Hartman, Lincoln-Way North; Javy Montalvo, Luke Morgan, Matt Sutor, Lincoln-Way West; Josh Altmann, Nick Davito, Evan Martens, Lockport; Sam Kint, Mount Carmel; Kyle Czeszewski, George Jester, Arthur Johnson, Johnny Zubek, Oak Forest; Ryan Koziol, Sam Tidaback, Kevin Tully, Alec Barnhart, Bob Kametas, Nick Mozwecz, Mike Yacko, Oak Lawn; Providence; Mike Lally, Zack Mackowiak, Jake Sterno, Reavis; Eric Hall, Ricky Palacios, Tyler Sheehan, Jim Wujcik, Richards; Brandon Fowler, Rich Central; Jason Douglas, Nick Bates, Herbert Davis, Evan Martin, Rich East; Brandon Hrobowski, Kyle Stancil, Rich South; Brandon Mallder, St. Laurence; Jake Shepski, St. Rita; Alec Nelson, Dan Rizzie, Sandburg; Paul Gregory, Ramsey Hamdan, Shepard; Kyle Belluomini, Mike Farnan, Steve Kubiak, Brian Valcarcel, Stagg; Quentin Kennedy, Joe Tucker, Thornridge; D’Anthony Cross, Jason Towns, Thornton; Zachary Turner, T.F. North; Kyle Janowski, Peyton Padjen, Justin Pasko, T.F. South; Robert Blissitt, Maceo Taylor, Thornwood; Ryan Bunn, Pat Cosgrave, Bob Neylon, Tinley Park.
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Updated: July 25, 2012 6:05AM
NICK ALTOBELLA
School: St. Laurence
Year/Position: Senior/OF,LHP
Numbers: .458, 6 2B, 20 R; 3-0, 362/3 IP, 45 K
Notable: Headed to Alabama-Birmingham as a pitcher.
Coach Pete Lotus: “We knew what we were getting from Nick pitching, but he did a great job for us hitting. He was real clutch all season and ended up being our most consistent hitter.”
JIM AUGLE
School: Richards
Year/Position: Senior/OF
Numbers: .340, 8 2B, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 9 SB
Notable: South Suburban Red MVP; two-time All-Area pick; signed with St. Xavier.
Coach Brian Wujcik: “There was a little bit of pressure on him being a three-year varsity starter and only left-handed stick in the lineup and he delivered.”
DEREK BANGERT
School: Lockport
Year/Position: Junior/C
Numbers: .491, 14 2B, 5 HR, 30 R, 25 RBI
Notable: All-SouthWest Suburban Blue selection.
Coach Andy Satunas: “Derek was a steady force as our No. 3 hitter this year. He was also able to help our team behind the plate with his defense and our pitchers felt very comfortable throwing to him.”
BRIAN BARNHOUSE
School: Oak Lawn
Year/Position: Senior/OF
Numbers: .393, 13 R, 18 RBI
Notable: Struck out just four times all season.
Coach Brian Clifton: “Brian got opportunities and took advantage of them. His effort day in and day out was tremendous. He was a team leader.”
CODY BOHANEK
School: Marist
Year/Position: Junior/INF
Numbers: .358, 30 R, 15 RBI; 3-2, 3.08
Notable: Two-year starter.
Coach Tom Fabrizio: “Cody was our best defensive player, best hitter and our No. 3 on the mound.”
STEVE CARRABOTTA
School: Andrew
Year/Position: Senior/OF
Numbers: .384, 8 2B, 2 3B, 34 R, 25 RBI, 12 SB.
Notable: Headed to St. Xavier.
Coach Dave DeHaan: “Steve was a spark plug for us in the leadoff spot and he played a great center field.”
ROB CIFELLI
School: Marian Catholic
Year/Position: Senior/OF
Numbers: .333, 35 R, 5 2B, 54 stolen bases.
Notable: Didn’t make an error all year.
Coach Phil Wail: “Rob made things happen at the top of the order for us. Defensively, he has the ability to make great plays look routine.”
MARK CHEMELLO
School: Lincoln-Way East
Year/Position: Senior/RHP
Numbers: 8-1, 2.28 ERA, 581/3 IP, 54 H, 9 BB, 48 K.
Notable: Returning All-Area selection; headed to St. Joseph’s College.
Coach Paul Babcock: “Mark’s an excellent pitcher, but an even better teammate. He put his teammates ahead of himself.”
DAN DURKIN
School: Andrew
Year/Position: Junior/INF
Numbers: .523, 43 R, 3 HR, 31 RBI
Notable: All-SouthWest Suburban Red selection.
Coach Dave DeHaan: “Dan had a Player of the Year type of season. He’s a great hitter and played an outstanding third base for us.”
MATT FARRINGTON
School: Sandburg
Year/Position: Senior/LHP
Numbers: 6-2, 0.76 ERA, 55 IP, 35 H, 51 K; .386, 16 RBI
Notable: All-SouthWest Suburban Blue choice.
Coach Jim Morsovillo: “Matt had an outstanding year. He kept us in every one of his starts. With a little more run support, he would of had a few more wins.”
KYLE FUNKHOUSER
School: Oak Forest
Year/Position: Senior/RHP
Numbers: 11-2, 0.89 ERA, 782/3 IP, 32 H, 123 K
Notable: Returning All-Area pick; headed to Louisville.
Coach Thad Gatton: “Kyle had a phenomenal season and career. He wants to be successful and is willing to work toward that goal.”
MIKE HEARNE
School: Marist
Year/Position: Senior/LHP
Numbers: 7-4, 1.06 ERA, 79 IP, 56 H, 12 BB, 85 K
Notable: Headed to Notre Dame.
Coach Tom Fabrizio: “Mike has been our No. 1 pitcher for three years. He also was a three-year starter at first base. He’s as tough a competitor as we’ve had around here in a long time.”
BILLY HENRY
School: St. Rita
Year/Position: Senior/RHP
Numbers: 7-1, 2.35 ERA, 59 2/3 IP, 52 H, 27 K
Notable: All-Catholic Blue.
Coach Mike Zunica: “I don’t know where we would have been without Billy. We had some injuries and issues with our pitching staff and he stepped up big for us.
JERRY HOUSTON
School: Mount Carmel
Year/Position: Junior/INF
Numbers: .427, 12 2B, 3 HR, 31 R, 25 RBI
Notable: Three-year varsity starter at shortstop
Coach Brian Hurry: “Jerry is not only talented, but he’s an incredibly hard worker. He has a desire for excellence and is always asking questions to get better.”
TYLER JAY
School: Lemont
Year/Position: Senior/LHP
Numbers: 7-3, 1.24 ERA, 45 IP, 26 H, 19 BB, 80 K; .512, 10 2B, 32 RBI
Notable: Will attend Illinois.
Coach Joe Rodeghero: “Tyler had a phenomenal season, not only pitching but hitting, too.”
MICHAEL KAMP
School: Chicago Christian
Year/Position: Senior/INF
Numbers: .480, 19 2B, 4 3B, 55 R, 45 RBI, 28 SB.
Notable: Two-time All-Area selection; headed to Calvin College.
Coach Eric Brauer: “Mike is a freak athlete. He has broken 21 school records. No one has put up the numbers Mike has in his career.”
KENNY KING
School: Providence
Year/Position: Senior/OF
Numbers: .400, 10 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 26 R, 32 RBI
Notable: All-Catholic League Blue selection.
Coach Mark Smith: “Kenny really developed into a great hitter. He made the transition to the outfield extremely well, making only one error all season.”
BEN KIRCHLER
School: Homewood-Flossmoor
Year/Position: Senior/INF
Numbers: .451, 14 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 38 R, 15 SB
Notable: Three-year varsity starter.
Coach Todd Sippel: “Ben was our catalyst. He got on base and made things happen, not only this year, but the past three years.”
ZAK KUTSULIS
School: Providence
Year/Position: Senior/LHP
Numbers: 7-2, 2.18 ERA, 511/3 IP, 47 K; .402, 5 HR, 30 RBI.
Notable: Notre Dame-bound.
Coach Mark Smith: “Zak was our all-around best player. He led our staff and our offense all season long. He’s a complete baseball player.”
TYLER LAURISCH
School: Mount Carmel
Year/Position: Senior/RHP
Numbers: 9-3, 2.08 ERA, 3 saves, 52 K; .354, 8 2B, 20 RBI.
Notable: Catholic League’s Lawless Award Winner; will attend Harvard.
Coach Brian Hurry: “Tyler is probably the most versatile player I’ve ever coached. He played all three outfield positions and second and third base, and was successful at all of them.”
DAN LIETZ
School: Homewood-Flossmoor
Year/Position: Senior/LHP
Numbers: 9-4, 1.04 ERA, 67 IP, 39 H, 19 BB, 123 K; .351, 10 2B, 4 HR
Notable: Returning All-Area selection; will attend Heartland Community College.
Coach Todd Sippel: “Dan was dominant. He overpowered some of the better teams in the area. He really came into his own this season.”
BRETT LILEK
School: Marian Catholic
Year/Position: Senior/LHP
Numbers: 7-4, 2.16 ERA, 612/3 IP, 39 H, 89 K
Notable: Headed to Arizona State; 37th-round pick of Seattle Mariners.
Coach Phil Wail: “Brett had a good year and really stepped up for us in the playoffs. He didn’t allow an earned run in three playoff starts.”
MIKE MILLER
School: Lincoln-Way North
Year/Position: Junior/RHP
Numbers: 9-1, 1.26, 72 IP, 33 H, 81 K
Notable: All-SouthWest Suburban Red pick.
Coach Joe Skarbek: “He was just consistently great throughout. He faced some great competition and pitched well each time.”
JOHN MCLAUGHLIN
School: Crete-Monee
Year/Position: Senior/C
Numbers: .468, 20 2B, 4 HR, 29 RBI
Notable: Four-year varsity starter.
Coach Gene Cahan: “John’s the best catcher I have coached in my 28 years at Crete.”
GARRETT O’NEILL
School: Brother Rice
Year/Position: Senior/INF
Numbers: .346, 13 2B, 3 HR, 26 RBI; 5-4, 2.63
Notable: All-Catholic League Blue selection.
Coach Johnny McCarthy: “Garrett did a lot of his damage in clutch situations. Nobody meant more to the team with big hits and great pitching performances than Garrett.”
RYAN PELLACK
School: Lincoln-Way North
Year/Position: Junior/C
Numbers: .403, 9 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 37 R, 42 RBI,
Notable: All-SouthWest Suburban Red pick.
Coach Joe Skarbek: “Ryan’s such a great leader. He practices hard, he works hard and does all the little things well, like defensive positioning. He takes great pride in his work.”
ZACH REKS
School: Sandburg
Year/Position: Senior/LHP
Numbers: .485, 12 2B, 4 HR, 22 R, 43 RBI.
Notable: Will attend the Air Force Academy.
Coach Jim Morsovillo: “Zach’s the best hitter I’ve ever coached on any level. He consistently hits the ball hard and has a great approach.”
ADAM SAMAD
School: Shepard
Year/Position: Junior/OF
Numbers: .442, 10 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 34 RBI
Notable: All-South Suburban Red pick.
Coach Frank DiFoggio: “Adam had a great year. He hit for average and showed some power, and came up with some clutch hits.”
JORDAN SMITH
School: Rich Central
Year/Position: Senior/INF
Numbers: .429, 9 HR, 30 R, 47 RBI.
Notable: All-Southland Conference selection.
Coach Corey Stallings: “Jordan was unbelievable. There was a time early in the season when he carried us.”
KEVIN SMITH
School: St. Laurence
Year/Position: Junior/RHP
Numbers: 7-1, 1.63 ERA; .363, 9 2B, 3 HR, 25 RBI
Notable: Named Most Outstanding Player in Catholic Blue; transferred to Lincoln-Way North after season.
Coach Pete Lotus: “Kevin had a great year on the mound. He made some big pitches and beat a lot of good teams.”
