Benet senior infielder Cole Channell recently committed to play his collegiate baseball at Villanova University.
Signing his letter of intent on Nov. 12, Channell chose Villanova over other suitors, including an offer from Evansville—the champion of the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Wildcats, under head coach Joe Godri, went 16-34 overall and 5-13 in the BIG EAST in 2014.
First taking notice of him at a St. Charles High School showcase and eventually inviting him to an invite only camp, Godri and his staff hope to take advantage of Channell’s versatility around the diamond by using him as a utility player.
Playing in 22 games for the Redwings in 2014, Channell hit .300 with a homer and six RBI in 44 at-bats.
Experienced at playing second base, shortstop and third base, the 6-foot, 175-pound Channell will be counted on to fill the shortstop role vacated by Chris Whelan, who has since moved on to play at Bradley University.
Benet went 24-11-1 this past spring but lost to Fenwick in the Class 3A Fenwick Regional Final, a year after going 22-10 before losing a one-run game to Clemente in the Class 3A Clemente Regional Final.
Under its fourth-year coach Scott Lawler, who was instrumental in getting Channell a look by Villanova because of his time as an assistant at Notre Dame, Benet will be looking to claim its third straight East Suburban Catholic Conference title in 2015 after sharing the title with Carmel in 2013 and Joliet Catholic in 2014.
Channell attended Highlands Elementary School and Kennedy Junior High in Naperville Community School District 203, then Benet Academy in Lisle. His parents are Kim and Todd Channel, residents of Naperville.
“Our family is very proud of Cole and his accomplishments, both on the field and in the classroom,” said Todd Channell. “We feel Villanova is the perfect fit for him as a student athlete.”
