|
| |
|
|
|
Men's Baseball |
May 14, 2008
Baseball team plays hard ball in playoffs
Even after a rocky start, Moraine Valley’s baseball team
found its stride and more wins to get them to the playoffs where they ended
their season.
The team advanced to the Region IV Division II Sectionals in Grayslake and
finished fifth overall.
“I’m very proud of our efforts and run at the end of the season,” said head
coach Dan DeCaprio. “Early on we played a difficult schedule and it all came
together — pitching, hitting and defense — going in the direction I wanted to
go.”
Concluding the season with an overall record of 24-22-1, the Cyclones finished
second in the Illinois Skyway Conference with an 8-6 record. The team won 16 of
their last 21 games, including one tie due to inclement weather.
DeCaprio has seven players who have signed with and received scholarships to
continue playing baseball at various colleges. There are also several returning
athletes who should continue to strengthen the team. “With the number of
returning players and strong recruits coming in, we are looking forward to next
year,” he said.
Concluding this season, All-Conference First Team selections went to Bill Smith
(Brother Rice) and Justin Birks (LaGrange), while All-Conference Second Team
honors went to Dan Guerrero (Lincoln-Way Central), John Katsikas (Addison
Trail), Joe Plocharczyk (Argo), Tom Daray (Reavis) and Jim Janchenko (Argo).
2008 Season Preview
The Cyclones baseball team has a young squad with several
new faces, but Coach Dan DeCaprio, who is in his first season coaching at
Moraine, is confident he has enough strong pitching arms and that his players
have the defensive savvy to make a statement this season.
The team is led this year by five returning sophomores and captains, including
centerfielder Jim Janchenko (Argo); right fielder Nino Guerrero (Whitney Young);
shortstop Joe Plocharczyk (Argo); first baseman/pitcher Nick Klaczynski
(Shepard); and starting pitcher Bill Smith (Brother Rice). They will provide
this young team with experience.
The starting pitching rotation this season includes Smith, John Katsikas
(Willowbrook), Dave Hamstra (Chicago Christian), and Klaczynski. Middle
relievers will be Tim Poremba (Hancock), Eric Duschean (Eisenhower), Corey
Norris (St. Rita), and Plocharczyk. The Cyclones have two closers, Dan Scahill
(Willowbrook) and Tim Garvin (Providence).
“We should be able to stay in any game with the strength of our starting
pitchers and depth of our bullpen,” DeCaprio said. “Pitching and defense wins
baseball games and are the strengths of this year’s squad.”
The infield looks good with some players taking on multiple roles. Three
starting pitchers, Hamstra, Klaczynski, and Katsikas, will rotate with Albert
Saucedo (Hancock) at the first base position this year. Pitchers Smith, Garvin
and Poremba will be battling for the hot corner. The middle infield is set with
Plocharczyk at shortstop and Scahill at second base. “I’m real happy with the
fact that we’re strong up the middle defensively, and there’s more behind the
plate,” DeCaprio said. Dan Guerrero (Lincolnway Central), Justin Birks (Lyons
Township), and Noel Perez (JFK) will share catcher duties as well as the DH
role.
Patrolling the outfield from pole to pole are Guerrero, Janchenko, Henry Herrera
(Plainfield), Tom Daray (Reavis), Dave Letourneau (St. Rita), and Mike Feddersen
(Andrew). All six are able to play any of the outfield positions because of
their speed and arm strength. “They’re all great. I wish I could have six
outfielders,” DeCaprio said.
“All in all the strength of this team is pitching and
defense and an aggressive offense philosophy,” DeCaprio said. “This team will
steal bases, hit and run, bunt, and is versatile offensively.”
DeCaprio is being joined this season by rookie coach Joe Walsh. “I’m excited to
have Joe on my coaching staff, having coached him both at Lewis University and
on the USA baseball team and the French and Belgium Tournament Opens,” DeCaprio
said. “He was a great pitcher and team leader for both squads.”
Moraine Valley hires
Dan DeCaprio as new baseball coach
Moraine Valley's baseball
team is on deck for continued success after announcing Dan DeCaprio as head
coach of the Cyclones beginning this fall.
DeCaprio replaces former head
coach Mike Kashirsky, who led the Cyclones to back-to-back 30-win seasons in
2006 and 2007.
"I
would like to thank athletic director Bill Finn for giving me this opportunity," DeCaprio said.
"As he was the first head coach of Moraine Valley's baseball team, his
efforts have guided this program to success; and the efforts of all the other
former head coaches—Fabrizio, Jonas, Budding, and Kashirsky—have made Cyclone
baseball what it is today.
"I
have three goals as head coach," he said. "First, I want to help Moraine Valley
compete for national championships on a yearly basis; second, I want to
cultivate the athletic skills of student-athletes to help prolong their baseball
careers; finally, I want to make sure that my players understand the importance
of becoming role models, constructive leaders, and productive citizens within
their own communities."
DeCaprio has contributed many
of his talents to Chicago area baseball, including assistant head coach and
pitching coach for Lewis University in Romeoville, where he guided the Flyers to
five World Series' and 13 Regional appearances in NCAA Division II, amassing a
828-531 record (.609) during his 25-year tenure (1982-2007). In addition,
DeCaprio has gained international attention as head coach or pitching coach of
six USA NCAA Division II baseball teams spanning to 2007 that have competed in
several nations throughout Europe. He also has held appointments as assistant
coach for the Joliet Jackhammers (2003); head coach for Mercyhurst College
(Erie, PA; 1998); and head coach for Crete Monee High School (1974-81). In all,
DeCaprio has coached 70 players who went on to sign professional baseball
contracts, including nine players who earned spots on a Major League Baseball
roster. Currently, he assists in game-day operations for the Chicago Cubs.
DeCaprio
also is confident about the local talent. "While at
Lewis, I saw several skilled players from high schools within Moraine Valley's
district come up through the local ranks. I'm looking forward to securing
local athletes who want to be a part of Moraine Valley's winning tradition," he
said.
"Dan's baseball expertise and
devotion to student-athletes will undoubtedly support our tradition of
excellence both on and off the field," said Bill Finn, Moraine Valley's director
of Athletics. "He'll be an outstanding addition to Moraine Valley Athletics.
We're fortunate to have him."
DeCaprio was a three-sport
athlete in high school, playing baseball, football and basketball for Rich East
High School in Park Forest. He continued his education at Illinois State
University, completing a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1974 before
earning a master's degree in physical education/athletics administration in 1982
from the University of Illinois-Chicago.
|
