P: Ryan Eiermann (Naperville Central): 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA, 69 Ks and 1.09 WHIP in 54 1/3 IP
Eiermann, the TCU-bound junior left-hander, earned All-DuPage Valley Conference First Team honors after starting the year 6-0. His three complete games against Neuqua Valley, Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley highlighted that 6-0 stretch, in which he carried a 1.11 ERA.
P: Liam Heath (Naperville Central): 7-0 with a .88 ERA, 55 Ks and .83 WHIP in 39 2/3 IP
Heath, a senior right-hander, came up big late in the year as he transitioned from the bullpen to the rotation. His two complete games against Wheaton North and Lake Park helped the Redhawks get a share of the DVC title. The seven victories from the All-DVC Honorable Mention pick led the team.
P: James Kulak (Neuqua Valley): 7-2 with a 1.47 ERA, 59 Ks and 1.3 WHIP in 52 1/3 IP
Kulak, one of two sophomores to carry a heavy load for Robin Renner in the Wildcats’ rotation, he impressed immediately. The left-handed Kulak earned All-DVC Honorable Mention after winning seven of his 10 starts, including two postseason victories.
P: Jason Neville (Waubonsie Valley): 9-0 with a 1.32 ERA, 72 Ks and .79 WHIP in 63 2/3 IP
Neville, the 2016 Positively Naperville Prep Baseball Player of the Year, had nine victories for a Warrior team that shared the DVC title with Naperville Central. The 2016 DVC Pitcher of the Year had four complete games and allowed one earned run or less nine times.
P: Matthew Vass (Metea Valley): 7-3 with a 1.89 ERA, 67 Ks and 1.19 WHIP in 52 IP
Vass, one of two Mustangs named All-DVC, led the staff in all three Triple Crown categories as the program established a new high for victories in a season with 21.
C: Nick Price (Waubonsie Valley): .342, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 19 R and .905 OPS
Price, one of three catchers named All-DVC, finished at least tied for the team lead in all three Triple Crown categories. Price’s .342 average and three homers led the 23-win Warriors while his 22 RBI were tied with Quinton Zielke.
1B: Will Drake (Neuqua Valley): .339, 30 RBI, 30 R and .961 OPS
Drake was one of three Wildcats to receive All-DVC recognition. His 30 RBI led the offense while his 30 runs scored were second on the team. His .339 average was third on the team, along with his .961 OPS.
MIF: James Gargano (Neuqua Valley): .356, 20 RBI, 41 R and .977 OPS
The junior shortstop and All-DVC honoree sparked the Wildcats’ offense from the get-go. Out of the leadoff spot, Gargano was second the team in hitting while pacing the team with his 41 runs scored. His 16 doubles were a double shy of tying for the team lead.
MIF: Conner Lovely (Metea Valley): .482, 26 RBI, 33 R and 1.205 OPS
Lovely paced a Mustangs’ offense that repeatedly pounded on the opposition. After hitting .348 with nine RBI as a junior, the All-DVC selection blistered his way to a .482 average and 26 RBI.
3B: Alex Tassos (Benet): .406, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 19 R and 1.127 OPS
Tassos – the only Redwing to make All-East Suburban Catholic Conference team – led the team in all three Triple Crown categories. A constant threat in the middle of the lineup, he was as big as a reason for Benet capturing a second straight regional title in Class 3A – a first for the program.
OF: Ashton Creal (Metea Valley): .356, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 25 R and .881 OPS
Creal, who joined Vass and Lovely as All-DVC picks from Metea Valley, finished third on the team in RBI while ending up tied for third with his 25 runs scored. The batting average he posted represented one of five Mustangs to hit at least .356 on the year.
OF: Jack Feeley (Metea Valley): .387, 24 RBI, 33 R and 1.14 OPS
Feeley received All-DVC Honorable Mention after acting as another aspect of a deep Mustangs’ lineup. His .387 average was third on the team while his 33 runs scored were tied for third, as well. His OPS of 1.14 marked the fourth Metea Valley hitter to eclipse 1.000 in that category on the year.
OF: Kevin Ringlein (Neuqua Valley): .398, 25 RBI, 28 R and .994 OPS
With only Gargano maybe challenging him for the role, Ringlein might have been the most pivotal hitter in the Neuqua Valley lineup. His .398 average led the lineup while his 17 doubles and .994 OPS marked team highs, as well. The 25 RBI for the All-DVC selection were tied with Eric Nelson for second on the team.
DH: Anthony Greco (Metea Valley): .386, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 37 R and 1.309 OPS
While Lovely led the Mustangs with his .482 average, Greco was by far the biggest power threat in the Metea Valley lineup. Greco received a spot on All-DVC after topping the Mustangs with his eight homers, 47 RBI and his 1.302 OPS.
Honorable Mention
C Christian Barczi (Naperville North): .308, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 10 R and .839 OPS
P Joey Christensen (Benet): 3-2 with a 1.81 ERA, 52 Ks and 1.38 WHIP in 46 1/3 IP
P Joey Coryell (Metea Valley): 4-3 with a 2.21 ERA, 24 Ks and 1.25 WHIP in 49 2/3 IP
SS Connor Gurnik (Naperville Central): .330, 9 RBI, 23 R and .898 OPS
SS Colin Rivard (Naperville North): .352, 11 RBI, 20 RBI and .804 OPS
SS Nick Santoro (Waubonsie Valley): .295, 8 RBI, 30 RBI and .831 OPS
1B Danny Sobolewski (Benet): .341, 25 RBI, 21 R and .891 OPS
