Waubonsee Community College's baseball team had seven players recognized by the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) and the NJCAA's Region IV Committee for their performances this past spring on the field. Chiefs' third baseman Garrett Goetz and designated hitter Justin Sartori were both named to the All-ISCC First Team, while catcher Hogan McIntosh, first baseman Grant Lalla and centerfielder Mark Sommers were each selected All-ISCC Second Team. Goetz, McIntosh and outfielder Gavin Lovesky were chosen to the All-Region First Team, while Sartori and pitcher Luke Fitton were both tabbed to the All-Region Second Team.
Goetz, a sophomore from Oswego East High School, became a two-time All-ISCC and All-Region performer after setting several Waubonsee records this spring. The right-handed hitter established new Waubonsee career marks for hits (143), runs batted in (92), doubles (40) and at bats (360); along with a new single-season mark for doubles with 23. Goetz registered 70 hits this spring en route to posting a .378 batting average with 44 runs driven in, a team-leading 50 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.
A sophomore from Sandwich High School, Sartori batted .313 with 10 doubles, a team-leading five home runs, 37 runs scored and 30 runs knocked in while compiling a .428 on-base percentage. The right-hander also won a pair of games on the mound, posting a 3.00 earned run average with 23 strikeouts over just 18 innings pitched.
A freshman from Bondurant-Farrar High School in Mitchellville, Iowa, McIntosh took over the Chiefs' catching duties early in the season and never looked back. The right-handed hitter batted .386 on 61 hits including 19 doubles, two triples and four home runs. McIntosh drove in a team-leading 45 runs, scored 35 times, posted a .608 slugging percentage, a .441 on-base percentage and even stole 10 bases. In 331 chances behind the plate, the 6'3" 215-pound McIntosh had 28 assists and made just five errors while recording a .985 fielding percentage.
Lalla, a 6'5" 225-pound freshman from Glenbard West High School, batted .321 with a dozen two-baggers, a home run, 20 runs batted in, 21 runs scored, a .460 on-base percentage and 15 stolen bases in 15 attempts.
Sommers, the Chiefs' left-handed leadoff hitter batted .299 with 33 runs scored, 28 runs knocked in and a team-leading 22 walks. The Yorkville High School graduate finished with seven doubles and three triples, while swiping 19 bases and posting a .405 on-base percentage.
A Lockport High School alumnus, Lovesky batted .390 over 37 games played. The right-handed hitter drove in 28 runs, smacking 10 doubles, five triples and three home runs. The sophomore registered a .626 slugging percentage, a .421 on-base percentage and stole 12 bases in 13 attempts. After a sizzling start to the season on the Chiefs' spring trip to Florida, Lovesky was named the NJCAA Division III Player of the Week in early March.
Fitton, a 6'5" right-handed hurler from Paxton, Illinois won four games with a 4.76 earned-run average. The hard-throwing sophomore made a dozen starts, allowing just 50 hits while striking out 70 batters over 56 and two-thirds innings pitched.
After a 6-0 start, the Chiefs slumped midway through the season before regrouping. Coach Brad Unger's squad finished the season 30-23 overall, winning seven of their final 10 games to reach 30 or more wins for the third time in the last four years. The Chiefs reached the Region IV Division III title game, eventually falling to Oakton Community College 10-7. Waubonsee also went 11-9 in ISCC play to finish fourth in the eight-team league.
