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2007-08 NORTHERN ILLINOIS BASEBALL SIGNEES
Zach Badgley, RHP High School: Two-time first team all-conference and all-area selection ... First team All-Fox Valley Conference, first team all-area and was named team MVP and captain as a junior ... Helped lead team to regional championship during junior season ... Ranked by Prep Baseball Report as Illinois' No. 32 prospect ... Went 10-2 with a 1.36 ERA, completed six of his 12 starts and fanned 107 while yielding just 30 hits in 72 innings and hit .402 with three home runs and 26 RBI in his junior year ... Earned first team all-conference and second-team all-area accolades in addition to being named team's Most Improved Player as a sophomore ... Posted a 5-0 record and 2.00 ERA with two complete games in seven starts while striking out 82 in 50 innings with 22 hits allowed and batted .407 with three home runs and 26 RBI during his sophomore campaign ... Hit .512 with five home runs as a freshman ... Enters senior year six wins from breaking the school's career record held by brother Mark. High School Coach: Brian Rockweiller. Personal: Will be the fourth Badgley to take the mound for Northern Illinois, following Dan (1997-2001), Mark (2003-07) and Nick (a junior college transfer on the 2008 roster) ... Born Feb. 14, 1990 ... Father is Phil Badgley ... Has 11 siblings. Coach Mathey on Badgley: "We are real ecstatic that Zach has decided to continue the line of Badgleys who have been successful on and off the field for us. He is mostly a pitcher and has the chance to step in and compete on the mound for us as a freshman. Mechanically, he is college ready and is another power arm with a fastball in the low 90's. The other thing he does is swing the bat from the left side with some lift, so there is also some potential at the plate." --
Tom Barry, LHP High School: Threw a no-hitter for the Illinois Sparks during the 2008 summer season ... Recorded the highest fielding percentage (.977) in the Chicago Catholic League and went 1-1 with one save and a 4.44 ERA while spending time on the mound and at first base as a senior ... Went 1-0 and hit .304 with 11 RBI as a junior ... Posted a 5-2 record and 3.84 ERA as a sophomore before being moved up to the varsity team ... Went 6-2 with a 4.24 ERA as a freshman ... Three-sport standout was starting quarterback for football team ... Completed a school-record 91-yard touchdown pass ... Threw for 1,800 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior ... Averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists per game in basketball to earn honorable mention all-area ... Captained the baseball, football and basketball teams and was named team's most improved player in both football and basketball ... Three-year honor roll member. High School Coach: Mark Smith. Personal: Born May 31, 1990 in Kissimmee, Fla. ... Parents are Tom and Mary Barry ... Father played baseball and his mother played basketball at Division II St. Leo University in Florida ... Intends to major in business at NIU. Coach Mathey on Barry: "Tom is an athletic 6-3 lefthander and was a three-sport player at Providence Catholic where he was the starting quarterback and also played basketball. We feel that his best pitching is still ahead of him as he begins to focus on baseball. His fastball hovers in the 84-87 range and he shows command of a breaking pitch, so we are excited where his ceiling will be as he gets into our pitching program. Tom's parents were both Division II athletes at St. Leo University in Florida." --
Alex Beckmann, IF High School: Earned all-state honors and was a two-time first team all-conference and all-area selection ... Two-time team captain ... Collected IHSBCA All-State, first team All-Western Sun Conference, and Daily Herald and the IHSBCA all-area accolades as a junior ... Ranked by Prep Baseball Report as Illinois' No. 53 prospect ... Played for Team Illinois at the Jack Kaiser All Star Game ... Earned team's Bulldog Award after hitting .505 with 55 hits, 42 runs scored and four home runs during his junior year ... Named team MVP and first team all-conference and garnered all-area selection by the Daily Herald and IHSBCA as a sophomore ... Set the school season record with a .530 batting average while totaling 61 hits, 33 runs and two home runs in his sophomore season ... National Honor Society member. High School Coach: Matt Holm. Summer League Teams (Coaches): Longshots (Rob Rooney), Sparks (John Cangelosi and Bill Copp). Personal: Born Aug. 21, 1990 ... Parents are Peter and Janice Beckmann ... Aspires to become a baseball coach. Coach Mathey on Beckmann: "Alex is a well-recognized local product who earned an all-state selection as a junior. He is very versatile and can play the middle infield positions and in the outfield. He has good baseball instincts and good speed. Alex is a good defensive performer and a left-handed hitter who can get on base and be a top of the order hitter. He is the type of hitter we refer to as a `barrel-finder' because he puts the bat on the ball and hits to all fields." --
Brett Frantini, C High School: Rated as the No. 3 defensive catcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report ... Helped team capture three consecutive conference titles ... Hit .330 with 23 hits, 15 RBI and one home run as junior ... Committed only one error in 200 chances for a .997 fielding percentage during his junior season ... Team reached IHSA Supersectional in his junior year ... Played for squad that finished third in the state as a sophomore. High School Coach: Jeff Petrovic. Summer League Team (Coaches): Sparks (John Cangelosi and Bill Copp). Personal: Intends to major in education at NIU ... Born Feb. 7, 1990 ... Parents are Thomas and Renee Frantini ... Aspires to teach and coach at the high school level. Coach Mathey on Frantini: "Brett is another area product who played for Coach Petrovic at Minooka, one of the better programs in the state. He was on the state's third-place team during his sophomore season and played behind a junior catcher who was recruited heavily. The following year they moved the catcher to first base and Brett moved into the lead role behind the plate. He is a great defensive catcher with a good arm and he likes to throw the ball and challenge runners. Brett is hard working and one of the better catch-and-throw guys in the entire Chicagoland area." --
Kyle Glancy, P High School Coach: Chris Ledbetter. Personal: Born May 30, 1989 ... Parents are Christopher and Devra Glancy ... Father played second base for three seasons at Butler University. Coach Mathey on Glancy: "Kyle is a righthanded pitcher with a fastball currently in the mid-to-upper 80's and good command of a breaking pitch in the low 80's. He is very athletic and was a key member of his high school basketball that was ranked in the state. Chris Ledbetter has a very good program at Oak Park-River Forest that prepares kids well for college. We expect Kyle to come in and do great things for us." --
Jake Hermsen, OF/LHP High School: Ranked by Perfect Game Crosschecker as the No. 2 player in Wisconsin and No. 367 nationally ... Played for Team Wisconsin in 2007 All Star Game ... Named first team All-Bay Conference as outfielder and earned a second team nod as pitcher during his junior season ... Named team MVP, defensive Player of the Year and captain while helping team to conference title as a junior ... Hit .327 and slugged .596 while totaling 17 hits, 12 stolen bases, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored with four triples, three doubles and one home run in 17 games during his junior campaign ... Went 4-2 with a 2.86 ERA while striking out 70 in 41 innings as a pitcher during his junior year ... Batted .400 with 24 hits, 16 runs, 11 RBI, 10 stolen bases, four doubles, and three home runs in 21 games as a sophomore ... Notched two wins and posted a 3.25 ERA while fanning 64 in 47.1 innings during his sophomore season ... Hit .333 with seven hits, three stolen bases, three RBI and one run scored in eight games while posting a 2.52 ERA in four appearances as a freshman ...Has earned three football letters and helped team finish as state runner-up in 2007 ... Selected first team all-state as a defensive back during his senior season ... A three-time team offensive MVP, two-time captain during his prep gridiron career ... Was a unanimous first team all-conference selection as running back, defensive back and punter and a first team all-region choice as defensive back during his senior season ... A four-year basketball letterwinner and two-time team MVP and captain ... Earned second team all-conference and all-area selection during his junior year on the hardwood. High School Coach: Rick Daun. Summer League Teams (Coaches): Midwest Stars and Midwest Blazers (Jeff Jackson and Andy Stack). Personal: Intends to major in education at NIU ... Born Nov. 16, 1989 ... Parents are Mike and Pam Hermsen ... Mother, Pam, lettered in volleyball at Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Coach Mathey on Hermsen: "Jake might very well be the best athlete in this class. He is a great runner with outstanding outfield instincts and an above average arm. On the mound, his fastball reaches the mid to upper 80's with a quick breaking pitch. He is a good two-way player and a real leader. He loves to compete and win and was a three-sport athlete in high school who was the premier runner on his football team that finished as state runner-up. We are looking forward to seeing how his baseball skills progress when he consolidates his efforts into focusing only on baseball." --
Alex Jones, IF
High School Coach: Beau Basler and Larry Beashore. Personal: Led his American Legion teams in hitting for three consecutive seasons ... Born June 19, 1990 ... Parents are Billy and Betsy Jones. Coach Mathey on Jones: "Alex is a very athletic individual who is strong, can swing the bat from the left side and has good arm strength. He can play any of three infield positions as well as the outfield. He was also a state caliber football player. In terms of strength and athletic ability, we feel that Alex is ready for the college level. We are very happy to have him as part of the Huskie family." --
Chuck Lukanen, LHP Junior College: Transferred to NIACC after attending the University of Minnesota ... Played at the same junior college that produced former NIU third baseman Jesse Seykora or current Huskie right fielder Danny Reed ... Pitched in four games and totaled six innings for the Golden Gophers in 2007 before receiving a medical redshirt. Junior College Coach: Todd Rima. High School: An all-state, all-area and two-time first team all-conference selection ... Named all-state, first team all-area and All-Lake Conference and was team's MVP and pitcher of the year as a senior ... Set school records for strikeouts, innings pitched and ERA during junior season ... Went 6-3 with seven complete games and two saves and a 0.73 ERA as a junior ... Struck out 87 with just 15 walks and seven earned runs in 67 innings in his junior campaign ... Earned first team all-conference and team pitcher of the year accolades. High School Coaches: Tom Strey and Mark Groetner. Personal: Plans to major in business marketing and education at NIU ... Born Oct. 4, 1986 ... Parents are Jeff and Sherie Lukanen ... Aspires to start his own baseball training facility. Coach Mathey on Lukanen: "Chuck is following Jesse Seykora and Danny Reed, who have been great players for us after transferring from North Iowa Area Community College. Coach Todd Rima does a great job with that program and the kids who come from there are ready for four-year schools. Chuck is a lefthanded pitcher who has the chance to do a lot of things for us. He has a bulldog mentality and is very competitive on the mound. He was an all-state player in Minnesota and was highly thought of when he went to the University of Minnesota. Since his injury there, he has regained a fastball that reaches the mid to upper 80's. He has taken a non-traditional route, but has a good understanding of what he wants to do and that will come to the forefront here at NIU." --
Nick Morreale, IF/OF/C
Drafted in the 46th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. Junior College:Played two seasons at Mesa C.C. Hit .286 with three home runs and two doubles as a freshman in an all-wood bat league. High School: Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 46th round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft after his prep career ... Player of the Year, All-American, all-state selection and a three-time all-conference and two-time all-area choice ... Daily Herald Player of the Year and a IHSBCA all-state selection as a senior ...Entered his senior campaign as a Preseason All-American by Team One and the Baseball Factory ... Earned first team all-area and All-North Suburban Conference selection as a senior ... Selected as MVP of the Niles North Invite during senior season ... Earned his third consecutive team MVP honor as a senior ... Captained varsity squad during his junior and senior seasons ... Named first team all-state, first team all-area and first team all-conference as a junior ... Garnered first team all-conference honors as a sophomore. High School Coach: Jay Czarnecki. Personal: Born April 8, 1988 ... Parents are Barth Morreale and Susan Clark ... Brother, Barth, played baseball at Mesa C.C. ... Competed for the three-time national champion White Sox Academy team. Coach Mathey on Morreale: "Nick is a kid with Illinois roots who was an all-state player and drafted after his senior season. He was a catcher coming out of high school, but could play either corner infield position or the outfield. We think his bat will be a great fit into the lineup and being a junior college player, we are looking for him to come in and contribute quickly." --
Kyle Stroup, RHP Drafted in the 50th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox. High School: Rated as the No. 5 player in Illinois and No. 283 nationally by Perfect Game Crosschecker ... Listed by Prep Baseball Report as the No. 13 player in Illinois ... Two-time first team all-area and all-conference selection ... Closing in on four school records as he enters his senior year ... Named first team all-area, All-North Suburban Conference and honorable mention all-state as a junior ... Compiled a 5-2 record with a 2.04 ERA and four complete games and one save with 71 strikeouts in 61.1 innings while yielding just 21 hits and 15 walks in nine games during his junior season ... Hit .425, slugged .779 and totaled 40 hits, 31 runs and 28 RBI with 13 doubles, two triples and five home runs in his junior campaign ... Earned all-area and all-conference honors as a sophomore after posting a 6-3 record with a 2.78 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 58.1 innings with 26 hits and 19 walks ... Hit .341 with 28 hits, 26 runs, 25 RBI, 12 doubles and four home runs during his sophomore season ... Went 5-1 with a 1.62 ERA while fanning 51 in 42.1 innings with 23 hits and 14 walks as a freshman ... Hit .340 while totaling 24 hits, 19 runs, 19 RBI, nine doubles and two home runs during his freshman season. High School Coach: Mike Mizwicki. Summer League Teams (Coach): Midwest Stars (Jeff Jackson) and Midwest Blazers (Andy Stack). Personal: Born March 13, 1990 ... Parents are Terry and Gina Swanner. Coach Mathey on Stroup: "Kyle has not caught the notoriety of some of the other players but he caught our eye while recruiting Jake Hermsen and Chris Wakefield when they played together on their summer team. He is an Illinois product and we are happy he chose Northern Illinois. Kyle has a large frame at 6-5, 240, and a great chance to improve. He has a fastball that tops out in the low to mid 90's and a breaking ball that can be devastating at times. His best baseball is ahead of him and he probably has the most potential of this group as far as Major League Baseball is concerned. He likes to compete and can be a main component on the mound for us." --
Chris Wakefield, RHP/IF High School: Rated as the No. 1 player in Wisconsin by Perfect Game Crosschecker while attending Bay Port High in Green Bay ... Family moved to Canton, Ga. during the 2007 summer ... Listed as the No. 15 player in Georgia and No. 189 nationally by Perfect Game ... Named to Under Armour Preseason All-America team entering his senior season ... Most Valuable Player of the Kernals Tournament during the 2007 summer ... Earned all-area and all-conference all three years in Wisconsin ... A first team all-area and all-conference selection as a junior ... Hit .460 and slugged .794 with 29 hits, 18 RBI and five home runs while posting a 3-1 record and 2.48 ERA during his junior year ... Earned second team all-area selection as an infielder, claimed second team all-conference honors as both an infielder and pitcher and was an honorable mention all district pick during his sophomore year ... Batted .417 with 25 hits, 20 RBI and two home runs and went 5-3 with a 1.80 ERA in 10 starts as a sophomore ... Named second team all-area and all-conference during his freshman year ... Hit .411 with 26 RBI, 23 hits and three home runs and went 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA as a freshman ... Helped lead team to Wisconsin State Championship during 2005 16 and under American Legion season. High School Coach: Jason McDaniel (Cherokee H.S.) Mike Simoens (Bay Port H.S.) Summer League Teams (Coaches): Midwest Stars and Midwest Blazers (Jeff Jackson and Andy Stack) Personal: Born March 25, 1990 in Tulsa, Okla. ... Parents are Michael and Shawn Wakefield. Coach Mathey on Wakefield: "Chris is a righthanded pitcher and corner infielder who is a very strong hitter. On the mound, his fastball is clocked at 89-92 and he has shown the ability to command a good breaking ball. He has all the components of someone who could step in and contribute right away. As far as national accolades, he may be the top player we have recruited. He is a very competitive kid and likes winning." --
Troy White, 3B/OF Drafted in the 48th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cleveland Indians. High School: All-state, all-area and conference MVP ... Named to the Chicago Sun-Times Top 100 area players list and was ranked as the state's No. 58 senior prospect by Prep Baseball Report ... Earned all-state and all-area selections from the IHSBCA, second team all-area honors from the Chicago Sun-Times, and honorable mention all-area from the Chicago Tribune ... Named Chicago Public League co-MVP and Westminster Sunshine Classic MVP as a senior ... Hit .533 and slugged .925 with 64 hits, 14 doubles, seven home runs, 47 RBI and 42 runs scored while striking out just nine times during his senior season ... Helped team to 29-5 record and city and regional championships as a senior ... Team captain and earned squad's offensive threat award during final prep campaign ... Played in the Public vs. Catholic League All-Star game following senior year ... Honorable mention all-conference selection after batting .326 with 30 hits, 28 runs and 20 RBI as a junior ... Helped his team capture city, regional and sectional championships and a No. 8 final state ranking in 2007 ... Three-time varsity baseball letterwinner ... Made honor roll all eight semesters and earned principal scholar honor. High School Coach: Chris Cassidy. Personal: Born August 2, 1990 ... Parents are Royal and Carolyn White ... Intends to major in business administration at NIU ... Admires Derek Jeter and David Eckstein. Coach Mathey on White:: "Troy is an athletic third base/outfield type of player. He has a short compact swing that bodes well for college. As a 48th round pick of the Indians, there is definitely potential for improvement as he starts to mature as a player. He was a main contributor to the Whitney Young baseball team, one of the top programs in Chicago, and is a great student. All indications are that Troy has a good feel for the game of baseball, which should help him transition to college." --
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