The recent baseball season has spotlighted several standout players from Naperville Central, Naperville North, Benet, and Waubonsie Valley. These athletes have demonstrated impressive skills and earned accolades for their performances.
First Team Selections
Andrew Barkley, Neuqua Valley, Senior, Outfielder: Barkley boasted a strong performance with a .348 batting average. He added eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 21 RBIs, and scored 31 runs. He maintained a perfect fielding percentage in 68 opportunities, earning all-conference honors.
Gio Calandriello, Benet, Senior, Pitcher: After returning from Tommy John surgery, Calandriello achieved a 5-2 record with a 2.71 ERA. He also secured one save and racked up 45 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. He was named all-conference and committed to Loras College.
Lawton Close, Naperville North, Sophomore, Pitcher/Third Baseman: Close achieved a 3-2 pitching record with one save and a 2.56 ERA, tallying 46 strikeouts over 46 innings. Offensively, he hit .309 with 11 doubles, three home runs, 22 RBIs, and 21 runs scored, alongside five stolen bases. He earned the title of conference pitcher of the year.
Scott Gillen, Waubonsie Valley, Junior, Second Baseman: Gillen hit .353 and contributed 11 doubles, 22 RBIs, 38 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. His performance earned him all-conference recognition.
Tyler Gluting, Metea Valley, Junior, Outfielder: Leading with a .432 batting average, Gluting recorded 14 doubles, eight home runs, 25 RBIs, and 35 runs scored, along with eight stolen bases. His achievements garnered him all-conference and Class 4A all-state titles. Gluting committed to Oklahoma.
Additional Top Performers
Cooper Page, Naperville Central, Senior, Shortstop: Page hit .314 and made noteworthy contributions with nine doubles, one home run, 18 RBIs, and 36 runs scored. He earned all-conference honors.
Michael Page, Naperville Central, Senior, Outfielder: With a .385 batting average, Page added 14 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 26 RBIs, and 28 runs scored, along with eight stolen bases. Recognized as all-conference, he is committed to North Central College.
Quinn Rooney, Benet, Junior, First Baseman: Rooney delivered a .385 batting average, with five doubles, five triples, and four home runs, recording 31 RBIs and succeeding in eight stolen base attempts. He was named all-conference and committed to Notre Dame.
Max Steele, Naperville North, Senior, Pitcher/Outfielder: Steele achieved a pitching record of 4-3 with 47 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings and hit .375 with 12 doubles, two triples, one home run, 25 RBIs, and 29 runs scored. He earned all-conference and committed to Benedictine.
Shane Torres, Waubonsie Valley, Junior, Catcher: Torres achieved a .471 batting average with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 35 RBIs, and 29 walks, earning player of the year. Committed to Oakland, he showcased excellent on-field performance.
Grant Umbright, Naperville Central, Senior, Pitcher/Third Baseman: Umbright recorded a 9-1 pitching record with a 2.03 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings. He hit .324 with four home runs, four triples, 30 RBIs, and 36 runs scored, alongside five stolen bases. Named all-conference, he committed to John A. Logan College.
Honorable Mentions
- Jonathan Giedraitis, Benet, Senior, Pitcher
- Diego Gutierrez, Metea Valley, Junior, Third Baseman
- Max Henson, Naperville Central, Senior, Pitcher
- Parker Howland, Waubonsie Valley, Junior, Outfielder
- Cohen Jeppson, Naperville North, Junior, Pitcher
- Christian Lott, Neuqua Valley, Senior, Pitcher/First Baseman
- Decker McDonald, Naperville Central, Junior, Pitcher
- Nathan Napolitano, Waubonsie Valley, Senior, Pitcher
- Peter Pignatiello, Benet, Sophomore, Shortstop
- Sam Steele, Naperville North, Sophomore, Outfielder
- Caden Vorwick, Naperville North, Senior, Outfielder
Freelance reporter Matt Le Cren delivered insights into these notable players, capturing their contributions throughout the season.