Prospect bats boom
Daily Herald Staff reports
Posted Sunday, April 29, 2007
Rolling Meadows 8, Lane Tech 7: Scott Wenzel was 3-for-3 with 3 RBI and 2 doubles as Rolling Meadows (10-6) beat Lane Tech 8-7 in a nonconference game.

Lane Tech, Holy Trinity wind up in splitsville News Star

April 25, 2007
By ROBERT SCHROEDER Contributor
The one-two-three combination of J.P. Palazon, Bryan Platt and Scott Doebler continues to dominate for Lane Tech.

Riding the arms of these three hurlers, the Indians split two games and saw a third game end in a suspension because of darkness.

Lane Tech opened the week with a 10-0 victory in five innings over Simeon, Tuesday, April 17. Palazon was one hit away from throwing a perfect game. Antonio Calderon notched a pair of hits, as did Josh Colon, who added a couple of RBI.

In their first home game against Harlan, Wednesday, April 18, the Indians struggled in brutally cold weather. Brian Platt started on the mound and was relieved by Calderon. The game finished with the score knotted at four in the seventh inning. The game will be resumed only if the game factors into league standings for either squad. Lane Tech head coach Jeff Szukala said his team seemed out of their element playing at home for the first time.

"It just seemed like an odd experience getting the field ready," Szukala said. "Usually we get out there and everything is set up for us."

The Indians faced Schaumburg last Saturday and fell 3-2. Scott Doebler gave up his first earned run of the season and dropped his first decision, falling to 4-1 on the season.

Lane Tech (6-5) hosts Northside today before traveling to Foreman this Thursday.

High school results
SunTimes

April 25, 2007

Lane 2, Lake View 1

RECRUITING
BASEBALL

Butler--Signed C Steve Bajer of Oak Forest.

DuPage--Signed 3B Sam Graebe of Lane.

Hillsdale (Mich.)--Signed P Geoff Krumwiede of Lane.

Illinois Wesleyan--Signed IF Jeff Grodecki of Glenbrook South and OF Charlie Capozolli of Maine South.

Marshalltown C.C. (Iowa)--Signed P Bryan Platt of Lane.

Lake View 1, Lane Tech 2
Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 - 4:30 PM
Chicago, IL | Box Score
Lane Tech holds off Lake View
By: Mike Godfrey Illinois High School Baseball Report

Thursday, April 26th, 2007 -In a likely city playoff preview, Lake View made a statement, but left unsatisfied. Lake View lost to Lane Tech 2-1 in eleven innings. Lake View Junior Ulises Ortiz pitched nine innings of four hit, one run ball against defending city champ Lane Tech while Lane senior Julian Palazon was holding Lake View to the same single run over seven innings.
Neither team scored until the fifth inning when each team pushed a run across. Over the next five innings, Lake View had several chances with runners in scoring position, but wasn't able to bring one home. When Lane got men on base, they weren't there long as Lake View turned three double plays, executed a second base pick-off play and senior catcher Ivan Vargas threw out three Lane runners. Lake View's failure to bring a run home eventually doomed them as Lane started the eleventh inning with a triple, driving the runner home with a ground ball past a pulled in infield.

Mistrata, Saxons power past Lane
Daily Herald Reports
Posted Sunday, April 22, 2007

Mike Mistrata got Schamburg’s offense going with a 2-run home run in the bottom of the third, and the host Saxons went on to edge Lane Tech 3-2 on Saturday in a nonconference game.

Other big hitters for Schaumburg included Grant Monroe (2 doubles, 1 run) and George Kalousek (double).

Kyle Pusateri (2-1) got the win, going 6º innings with 1 strikeout, no walks and 1 earned run.

Alec Fontanez earned a save after getting the final two outs for the Saxons (9-4).

Prep roundup Chicago Sports

April 18, 2007

Lane 10, Simeon 0 (5)
J.P. Palazon (2-0) pitched a complete game, giving up one hit and striking out five. Josh Colon was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Antonio Calderone added two hits and two RBIs. Lane Tech is 7-5, 2-0.

April 17, 2007

Lane Tech over Simeon: Final 10-1 W

With a "home field" - finally - Lane Tech Sophmores won today 10-1 over Simeon @ Horner Park. Dominic Babilonia pitch 5 and 2/3 innings, giving up just 1 run and striking out 7. Noel Pagan hit a 2 run double to put the game out of Simeon's reach.

Video taken - will be available soon.

Varsity: Focus on focus? FINAL: 4-3 L

April 10 - Lane put the pressure on the Elk Grove Grenadiers early by scoring one in the first and tacking on two more in the third. Lane was doing the little things necessary to score and played good ball until the fifth inning. Blame it on a "loss of focus", the cold, or the decision to keep starter Platt in one inning too many, one thing is clear - Lane had it in their hands.

Bryan Platt (0-4) pitched 4 great innings, keeping the Grens scoreless. In the fifth, it was clear to everyone that Platt was done, and Coach Szukala called for JP Palazon (1-0-1) to warm up. He didn't insert him until the damage was done; 2 balls dropped in front of surprise leftfielder Antonio Calderon and Adam Kubes was too fast on a double play, causing an error. Elk Grove took a one run lead by inning's end.

Palazon took the bump in the sixth, striking out one, hitting two batters and giving up no hits and no runs, giving Lane another chance. In the top of the seventh, Lane had men on the corners but failed to bring anyone home. Adam Nieves hit a grounder to the third baseman, who bobbled it but still managed to get the out by half a step, closing the book on the game.

Second-guessing the coach is the second favorite sport of fans everywhere, and the old adage that "one-run games are not won or lost, but given away" was tossed around. Calderon, at home at either end of the battery, doesn't seem confident in his skills in the outfield and Platt, among Lane's top pitchers, is suffering from a streak of losses that doesn't jive with his skill level. Fans lay this one at the coaches' door, but players and coaches weren't contacted for comment. We anticipate their response will be to start a winning streak on Thursday.

Indians knock off Maine West and Curie, fall to St. Rita

April 11, 2007

By ROBERT SCHROEDER Contributor Chicago News-Star

The weather may be cold, but Lane Tech's pitchers are on fire.

The Indians continued their spectacular pitching, winning two of three games and giving preseason top-ranked St. Rita a run for its money in their only loss.

Lane Tech opened the week with a 6-0 blanking of Maine West Saturday, March 31. Scott Dillon (Scott Doebler) threw five solid innings to improve his record to 2-0. Dillon (Doebler) still has not allowed an earned run this season.

The Indians followed that performance with a 12-1 win over Curie Monday, April 2. Antonio Calderone pitched five innings to pick up the victory. Josh Colon started the offense rolling with a leadoff home run. Adam Kubes batted 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and two more batted in.

Even with the onslaught, Lane Tech head coach Jeff Szukala said his team could have opened up an even bigger lead.

"We were probably looking ahead," Szukala said. "We had opportunities to blow that game wide open."

The Indians were looking ahead, understandably, to their match-up with St. Rita Tuesday, April 3. Lane Tech's offense was clicking, as they placed runners on base in every inning but the first. Calderone doubled while Jonathan Quiles added two hits. The game see-sawed in the early innings but St. Rita tallied three runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a big lead, eventually winning 11-4. Brian Platt (Bryan Platt) took the loss on the hill.

"I was very proud of the kids because they competed," Szukala said. "Good teams take advantage of mistakes, and when we made a mistake over the middle of the plate, they hit it hard.

"We're right there with the big boys, but we just need to work on getting over the hump."

The loss evened the Indians' record at 4-4 as they begin league play. Through the first seven games, Lane Tech's pitchers allowed only 13 runs, compiling a team ERA under 1.00. Szukala said his staff has the team positioned to make a run through league play.

"Pitching and defense is what this team is about, and the pitching has stepped it up," Szukala said. "Hopefully we'll start hitting a bit when it gets warmed up."

The Indians have a pair of non-conference games this week, facing Willowbrook on Thursday before squaring off with rival Maine South on Saturday. Lane Tech faces Simeon next Tuesday in conference play.

Szukala hopes his team won't be looking ahead to the big contest on Saturday.

"I know it's cliche, but we need to take things one game at a time," Szukala said. "That's the one we want to concentrate on and not look past anybody."

Maine West gets another shut Ott Daily Herald

By John Leusch
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Elk Grove 4, Lane Tech 3: Elk Grove (7-0) did all of its damage in the fifth as Billy Montemayor and Chris D’Angelo had RBI singles.

High school results Chicago SunTimes

April 10, 2007

Lane 11, Kenwood 0

Lane (5-4): WP Scott Dobler (Scott Doebler) (3-0) 6 IP, 2 H, 4 K

Monday's prep roundup April 9, 2007 Chicago Tribune/Chicago Sports

April 9, 2007

JACKIE ROBINSON
Lane 11, Kenwood 0 (6)
Scott Doebler (3-0) pitched a complete game with four strikeouts for Lane (5-4, 1-0). Same Graebe (Sam Graebe) drove in two and Adam Kubes finished with three RBIs in this conference-opener for the Indians.

Prep scoreboard Chicago Tribune

April 9, 2007

Lane 11, Kenwood 0 (6)

Tough schedule giving Panthers all they can handle

April 4, 2007
By ROBERT SCHROEDER Contributor

Lane Tech
Pitching is the name of the game for Lane Tech.

A trio of strong performances helped the Indians to improve their record to 3-3 as they enter a crucial part of their schedule.

Lane Tech opened the week with a 5-0 win over Morton, Tuesday, March 27. J.P. (JP) Palazon pitched a complete game shutout in the win. (Palazon pitched 5 innings, to our knowledge.)

Brian Platt followed up that performance with a complete game of his own. Unfortunately, the Indians' bats never came around as Lane Tech lost to St. Laurence 2-1. The Indians left four runners on third base with less than two out.

Platt allowed no earned runs with nine strikeouts.

"Platt was the most dominant I've ever seen," Indians head coach Jeff Szukala said.

Lane Tech closed out the week with a 6-0 win over Maine West. Antonio Calderon joined the shutout parade with a complete game effort. With the win, the Indians' team ERA is below 1.00. (Scott Doebler pitched 5 innings in the 6-0 win over Maine West. Calderon pitched a tie game that day.)

With such solid pitching, it's surprising Lane Tech is hovering at the .500 mark. Szukala said his team just needs to think through its problems.

"Seventy percent of the time you are going to make an out, and we have to figure out the thirty percent," Szukala said. "That falls on me, since I handle the offense. My pitching coach is all over me."

The Indians have a busy week ahead. They face De La Salle today before hosting Notre Dame from Niles on Saturday. Lane Tech opens its conference schedule with a match-up against Kenwood on Monday.

"It's going to be a test," Szukala said. "It's an entire team effort to knock off a team that is very talented."

April 4, 2007 ROB VALENTIN'S SPRING RANKINGS

BASEBALL
No. 1 Lane Tech (3-3)

J.P Palazon and Bryan Platt will be tough to beat

Keeping up with recent alums? Willie Davila

April 3, 2007
Runs scored
-----------
Alex Martinez....... 16
Michael Ramos....... 16
Kyle Harris......... 13
Danny Cantu......... 13
William Davila...... 9

Anyone surprised by this?

Hit by pitch
------------
Jesus Guillen....... 6
Alex Martinez....... 5
William Davila...... 4

Or this?
Stolen bases
------------
William Davila...... 6

Steal attempts
--------------
Danny Cantu......... 7
William Davila...... 7

Stolen base pct
---------------
Alex Martinez....... 1.000
Alex Larson......... 1.000
William Davila...... .857

Category Leaders

Prep roundup Chicago Tribune/Chicago Sports

April 3, 2007, 12:32 AM CDT

Lane Tech 12, Curie 1 (5)
Antonio Calderon (1-0) struck out 10 and gave up just one hit in five innings of work for Lane (4-3). Josh Colon went 2-for-3 with a leadoff home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Adam Kubes was also 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored for the Indians' second consecutive win.

April 2, 2007

Freshmen take on Curie: Final 18-1 W

April 2, 2007, 6:14 PM CDT Chicago Tribune/Chicago Sports

Take Two and Go to Write (March games)

By Dave Surico
Tribune staff reporter

Lane 3, Oak Park 1

OP 000 001 0-1
Lane Tech 201 000 x-3

WP-Scott Doebler (1-0) 4 IP, 2 H, 5 K, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER
SV Julian Palazon (1) 3 IP, 1 H, 3 K, 1 BB, 1 R, 0 ER
LP-Neil Mejia (0-1), 3 IP, 4 H, 3 K, 3 BB, 3 R, 3 ER

Batting orders
Oak Park (0-1): Jojo Maldonado, soph., SS; Sam Picchiotti, soph., LF; Joe Kelty, jr., DH/Sam Grimes, sr., 1B; Mark Bernthal, jr., 3B; Max Edwards, jr., 2B; Cole Michel, sr., RF; Neil Mejia, sr., P; Dan Jarvis, C, jr.; Graham Lucchese, jr., CF.
Lane Tech (1-1): Josh Colon, sr., SS; Adam Kubes, sr., 2B; Samuel Graebe, sr., 3B; Daniel Serrano, sr., CF; Adam Nieves, sr., 1B; Jonathon Quiles, sr., C; Elliott Schwarz, sr., DH/Scott Doebler, sr., P; Jay Alamo, sr., LF; Hiram DeJesus, jr., RF.

Game notes
Oak Park's enthusiasm for its season opener was dampened somewhat when clean-up hitter Drew Golz got a cut on his left hand fielding pre-game grounders. He received three stitches to his thumb and had to sit out. The southpaw first basemen is expected to make his scheduled start Wednesday vs. Barrington. Add to the mix four Huskie starters benched for an unexcused practice absence.

Transfers will make an impact for the Huskies. Sophomore Maldonado, who transferred Guerin, looks like he'll hang out in the company with the Illinois' elite shortstops. He's smooth. He hit six varsity home runs last year. The Edwards brothers moved over from Walther. Junior Max will contribute in the infield, and senior Jack (6-foot-3-inches, 225 pounds) could have a breakout year on the mound. And watch out for soph Picchiotti. The only way you'd know he's only one year removed from his freshman year is if somebody tells you Doebler recorded his quintet of strikeouts when he was behind in the count. Lane's first inning production started with a two-out walk to Graebe. Serrano doubled to left center to score the first run. Quiles hit a two-out line single to plate Serrano. The Indians scored their final run in the third when Kubes hit a line single to left with one out. He advanced on Graebe's infield single. A passed ball put runners on second and third. Serrano followed with a grounder to second that scored Kubes.

Was Quiles on the Lane diving team? After charging to the fence on a high pop up the ball curved back towards home plate. The senior executed a beautiful back half twist, but unfortunately couldn't reach the ball. Credit coach Szukala with the line of the day . When catcher Quiles differed with the ump's decision that a ball hit a batter in foul territory Szukala instructed: "Don't argue with the ump. That's my job." No discussion ensued.

Oak Park's run came after a one-out double to right center from Picchiotti in the sixth. The heads-up soph scored when the field ump ruled Colon's throw made the first baseman come off the base. Lane started to jog off the field thinking it had the final out, while the Picchiotti hustled on home.

Oak Park relievers Brett Newman (2 IP) and Zack Laan (1 IP) put the Indians down in order in the last three innings. Laan helped himself when he started a DP in the sixth.

Playmakers
Lane Tech: Colon went in the hole to rob Picchiotti of a hit in the 4th; Kubes was huge with a back to the infield grab

Hitters of note
Oak Park: Mark Bernthal, 2 singles, reached on error in three plate appearances.
Lane Tech: Samuel Graebe2 singles, walk in three plate appearances, run scored.

They said it
Lane Tech outfielder Daniel Serrano: "The first game we more trying to get down timing, get into the groove of things. The second game … everything came back to us. The hitting was back, the timing was back. The first game I had a little butterflies here and there.

"A nice run at state, do good things; there're going to be ups, there're going to be downs, but we've got to keep focused, learn from the mistakes and go on. Pitching and defense, that's what people say win championships. That's what we've built our team on."

Lane Tech starter Scott Doebler: "We know they're very good. We played well, defense and pitching, and got the win. We know we're a good team. The loss got us motivated, we didn't want to go 0-2. We're trying to make stuff happen this year.

"My fast ball was working well; I was locating it well. My change was working well at times."

Evanston 4, Lane Tech 3

LT 020 010 0-3
E 001 300 x-4

WP--James Ferguson (1-0) 4 IP, 1 H, 2 K, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 1 R, 0 ER
LP--Bryan Platt (0-1) 3 1/3 IP, 3 H, 6 K, 1 BB, 4 R, 0 ER

Batting orders
Lane Tech (0-1): Josh Colon, sr., SS; Adam Kubes, sr., 2B; Samuel Graebe, sr., 3B; Daniel Serrano, sr., RF; Adam Nieves, sr., 1B; Bryan Platt, sr., P; Jonathon Quiles, sr., C; Jay Alamo, sr., LF; Scott Doebler, sr., CF.
Evanston (1-0): Jared Borlack, sr., LF; Bob Rashid, jr., RF; Dave Baskin, jr., C; Nick Boyer, soph., 1B; Zach Morton, so., SS; John Wagner, jr., CF; Colin Sallee, jr., DH/Berman, P; Jim Berry, jr., 3B; Mike Locher, jr., 2B.

Game notes
Nice job by Evanston to get the fields ready. The varsity diamond has a higher elevation and must drain well. Speaking of fields, Lane's outfield is currently under construction. The work was planned for the spring so football could use the field in the fall. ... Lane struck first with two unearned runs. Nieves was hit by a pitch and scored on a walk to Doebler. Quiles reached on an E-6 and scored on Kubes' two-out single up the middle. ... Serrano scored Lane's final run after reaching on a fielders choice. Nieves' single to right advanced him to third and he scored on Platt's E-4. ... The first game of the triple-header had to leave impressions on Indian leftfielder Alamo. He was hit by pitches in all three plate appearances. ... Two-time defending city champ Lane was 24-13 last year. ... Righty Platt and lefty classmate Scott Doebler are the Indians' top starters. Platt throws a slurve-slider that froze a number of Wildkits for backwards Ks. He worked many a two-seamer in and out in the game. Added a new change-up to his repertoire. ... Platt retired the first six Wildkits and struck out three before the wheels started to come off in the third. Sallee singled up the middle and advanced on Locher's infield single. Sallee scored on passed ball to cut the deficit to 2-1. ... Baskin opened the fourth with a walk and advanced to second when a pickoff attempt went off the 1B's glove. Boyer reached E-6. Morton single. Wagner hit a flare to left to score Baskin, Sallee singled to right to score Boyer. Wagner scored on a wild pitch. ... Evanston had an adventure in baserunning in the sixth. The Wildkits wound up with two runners on third and one on second after Berry's line single up the middle. Lane didn't have anyone at first base, and all got back safely but were left stranded. ... All of Evanston's runs were unearned. ... Evanston finished 19-18 last season.

A special word of thanks
Prep baseball would be a lot tougher on coaches and players without the student assistants who do a number of chores to help. Take Two is the richer for their work as well. Lane junior Christina LaPorte is a prime example. She cheerfully produced a handwritten Indian roster because Take Two couldn't tell the players without a scorecard. A tip of the Take Two chapeau to Christina and all the other young ladies and men who work behind the scenes.

Playmakers
Lane first baseman Nieves going to the portable fence and then through it to catch a foul pop to end an Evanston threat in the 6th. Lane 2B Kubes with a sliding catch on a soft liner for the first out in the fifth

Hitters of note
Evanston's Sallee, 2 singles, reached on error in three plate appearances, RBI, run scored.

They said it
Evanston coach Ed Toledo: "Mishaps on the field with both teams as far as making some plays, but at least we're playing baseball. It's been 24 days and everyone's itching to go. One more day of practice at this point isn't really going to help. ... I think we're going to have a very competitive team. We didn't lose any of our main starters off our rotation last year. Zach Morton is coming off a very successful basketball season so he's not ready to go, but technically he's our No. 2 guy on the mound. Oberman's our number one guy and he was hampered by back cramps during the week. For his first time out he did all right; he's much better than he showed today. ... Hitting-wise we're a little young. We return four kids in our lineup. We have five kids that are new. Those kids are all talented. It's just a matter of getting acclimated to varsity baseball. There's a big step up as far as the pitching you see on a day-to-day basis. I think we'll be a very competitive team and we'll look to challenge for the CSL South championship"
Evanston DH Colin Sallee: "We had a couple JV games this week. I didn't play as well as I would have liked. Coach DH'ed me in the seventh hole, which I liked, because I could see more pitches. I could take better advantage of the strikes I had and hit the ball pretty well. ... I was working on keeping my hands back, came out and had a pretty decent day. The second game our bats were a little dead. I don't think we were mentally all there. Our infield and outfield wasn't that crisp.
(On the season) "I think a lot of people are underestimating us, but in time they'll see we should be a good 25- to 30-win team."
Lane coach Jeff Szukala: "Our field's under construction and this is the second time we've actually been on an infield. A 4-3 ball game, like I told the kids, the little things stand out, leaving two runners at third base with less two outs and being 1-for-3 in bunt attempts. ... We some balls right on the screws, but it is what it is. I guess that's the new lingo, it is what it is. It's early. It's March baseball."
Lane starter Bryan Platt: "I felt really good, just trying to hit my spots. We had a 60-pitch count the first game. We're thinking about going far in state. That's our main goal."
(On last spring's one-run playoff loss to eventual state runner-up St. Patrick) "We could've done the same thing they did. It really hurt us. But we stayed strong. We won five games in a row to win city (title).

April 1, 2007 Chicago Tribune/Chicago Sports

SATURDAY'S HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP
Lane 6 MAINE WEST 0

Non-conference

Scott Doebler (2-0) struck out five in five innings for Lane (3-3). Sam Graebe went 1-for-3

March 31, 2007, 11:16 PM CDT Chicago Tribune

Saturday's prep roundup

March 30, 2007

Mt Carmel schools Freshmen: Final 11-4 L

High school results

March 28, 2007
BASEBALL
TUESDAY'S RESULTS

Chicago SunTimes

Lane 5, Morton 0

Lane (2-2): WP J.P. Palazon (1-0), 5 IP, 6 K, 2 H; Bryan Platt 1-for-2, 2B, RBI

March 28th - Twin scores in two close games for Indians

Sophomores lose to St. Laurence 2-1. Esteban Abbey had a mammoth home run shot over the left-center field fence. This was Abbey's first home run of his high school career, and there's every indication it's only the first of many. Nick Quiles pitched a great game for the team. Even though they lost, the team seems to be getting better each game.

Varsity also contributed to St Laurence's win column with a 2-1 loss. St Laurence's two runs came in the second and Lane tried to chip away at that lead in the fourth, loading the bases and scoring a run on wild pitch. Blocked by the catcher, the ball went over the backstop, allowing Lane's only run of the game to cross the plate. Adam Kubes rolled into a double play to end the inning.

Lane Games, March 26, 2007 - David Walters, Thomas Frueh step up for the Freshmen B team:
Final 9-8 W

They weren't the only ones - Making up for lost time, the Freshmen B team played a rescheduled game from Saturday and added another to the WIN column. Frueh bringing in 3 runs on a triple and Walters hitting a double for two more was just half of what you missed today! Catcher Juan Riesco threw a man out at third and picked off a runner at first, getting the team out of a jam and letting every baserunner know one simple thing: you run on him, you run at your own risk. Firstbaseman Carlito Asuang also contributed at a crucial moment, making a diving catch to close the game. Way to go Freshmen! (next time, when I forget to ask who you played, tell me anyway - sorry, I don't know!)

Photos were taken by Julie Riesco and will be posted to the site ASAP, along with Saturday's game. If you have video or pictures of games, please share a copy with Coach Szukala.

Sophomores come back in the seventh: Final Lane 6 OPRF 4 W

Lane started off slow but finished with a flurry. Oak Park was leading the game 4 -0 going into the top of the 7th, Dominic Babilonia lead off the 7th inning with a long hard hit single off the OPRF pitcher. After Dominic’s hit the Indian’s offense woke up, they scored 6 runs including stolen bases by Lopez, Abbey and McElhaney. Lopez and Abbey successfully stole home. McElhaney closed out the last inning with 2 strike outs and a fly ball to left. Nick Quiles pitched 1 scoreless inning. Winning pitcher Mike Allen pitched 1 scoreless inning. Go Lane!

No photographer was present, that I'm aware of. If you took pictures or video, please share a copy with Coach Szukala.

Errors, walks eat up Varsity: Final 5-3 L

Josh Colon scored the first run of the game after some aggressive baserunning caused a throw into leftfield in the second. The inning took a turn in the bottom, with errors leading to two runs for Mt. Carmel. Lane got those back in the fifth, retaking the lead and setting up Junior Antonio Calderone for the win (3-2).

Geoff Krumwiede took over for Calderone, walking the first 2 batters. One error and two solid hits allowed 3 runs to score, giving Mt Carmel a lead they never relinquished. Joe Wald pitched 1/3 an inning but struggled to find his rhythm. Wald was pulled and Damaso Munoz came in to end the inning. Danny Serrano started off the 7th with a walk but Lane couldn't produce a run.

Chicago Tribune

March 24, 2007

Lane makes an early statement
Gets non-conference slate off to 1-1 start

By Dave Surico
Tribune staff reporter

March 24, 2007, 10:05 PM CDT

Lane's baseball team wants to say something before its conference season. And the Indians came across very clearly in a 3-1 victory over Oak Park on Saturday in Evanston.

The two-time defending city champions (1-1) have had a middling non-conference record recently. That's something they intend to change.

"The first game (a 4-3 loss to Evanston in the three-team tripleheader) I had a little butterflies here and there," said Serrano, who collected a second RBI with a groundout to second in the third. "But [in the second game] it was back into the groove. It's baseball."

Senior left-hander Scott Doebler (1-0) struck out five in four scoreless innings.

"We've heard teams [say], 'They're from the city, so …'" said Doebler, a senior. "We're trying to make ourselves known. We're trying to push to win state, win another city title. We're trying to make stuff happen this year."

Oak Park rebounded from the loss to defeat Evanston 7-1.

"We've been taking a lot of short batting practice," said senior Mark Bernthal, who singled in his first two at-bats. "It took us a game to get it right."

Sophomores Jojo Maldonado and Sam Picchiotti hit a three-run homer and a solo shot, respectively, for the Huskies (1-1). Junior Scott Rasley got the win.

Oak Park played without standout Drew Golz, who needed three stitches for a cut to his left thumb suffered in warmups.

Evanston (1-1) won the opener without an earned run. James Ferguson pitched four innings of one-run relief for the win.

Junior designated hitter Colin Sallee had two hits and scored a Wildkit run.

Lane Tech's baseball team is loaded with talent this season. Leading the way at the plate are (from left) Sam Graebe, Danny Serrano, and Josh Colon. (Allen Kaleta/For Pioneer Press)

Chicago News Star Loaded Lane begins title quest

March 21, 2007
By ROB VALENTIN | Sports Editor

Chicago Public League baseball has had its struggles. Last year it looked like the North Side was primed for a big breakthrough. But when the playoffs rolled around many of the city teams were on the wrong end of a lopsided score in regional action.

Lane Tech wasn't one of those teams but at the end of the day they still lost, 6-5 at the hands of St. Patrick.

But that Indians' squad lost just two starters and now they're ready to make some history of their own.

"34 years is long enough," said Lane Tech head coach Jeff Szukala, referring to the last time a city team won the state championship (Hubbard over Belleville West). "The state championship is one of our goals. If we stay healthy and play the way we're capable of we have as good a chance as any of winning it."

With two city straight city titles under their belts, the Indians have set their sights higher.

"A state championship would be a great way to end our senior year," shortstop Joshua Colon said. "After two city championships the next thing is a state championship."

Losing to St. Patrick let this Indians' team know what they're capable of. Lane held a 5-4 lead late but St. Patrick pushed across two runs for the regional championship.

"It was very frustrating because we made some mental lapses and they won that game," senior outfielder Danny Serrano said. "Then they went and won second place and that could have been us."

The sign of a mature team was the fact that Lane went out and won five straight games after losing to St. Patrick in the state playoffs.

"We didn't really dwell on it too much because we had the city playoffs after that and we knew we had five games to go win," Szukala said. "Baseball is a funny game and (St. Pat's) had momentum after beating us. If they didn't have that bad call at state they could have been state champions."

What makes this Lane Tech team so dangerous is how experienced they are.

"We graduated (Willie) Davila and (David) Pena and we have to replace those two guys," Szukala said. "But we're returning our entire pitching staff and we have two aces, Bryan Platt and Scott Doebler. How can a coach complain about that?"

In addition to Platt and Doebler, Szukala will look to J.P Palazon, Adam Nieves and Antonio Calderone to quiet the opponents' bats.

At the plate, the Indians have Colon, Serrano and Sam Graebe to form the heart of the order. Other key contributors include Jay Alamo, Jonathan Quiles and James Glaesser.

"We have a senior-laden team and there's a lot of pressure to perform," Graebe said.

The players are extremely excited about what they can accomplish this year.

"The expectations are high for this team," Colon said. "We want to go do something like St. Patrick did last year. We want to set a new standard for Lane Tech baseball and Public League schools."

Two years ago the Indians became the first Public League team to win a sectional game.

"The last few years have been building steps for us," Serrano said. "We feel we have a team who can go Downstate and compete. We just have to stay healthy and keep working hard towards our goal."

And while a state title would be historic for Lane Tech it would mean even more for city baseball.

"We'd like to open the door for all the city teams," Graebe said. "It's something to strive for."

After all, the last time a city team won a state title Ron Santo was playing on the North Side.

Keep up with Willie Davila

Wittenberg Univ. vs Univ. of Dubuque (Mar 09, 2007)

David Pena, too

3/9/2007 David Pena, a player who Fulkerson grew to appreciate more and more on a daily basis, will be in right field.

Illinois High School Baseball Report

Monday, November 27th, 2006 -The Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Prospects List is developed by the IHSBCA member coaches. The players listed are first nominated by their own coach, then endorsed by opposing coaches, college coaches, and professional scouts. Players are only eligible if nominated.

2007 BEST OF THE REST

Joshua Colon SS Lane Tech
Bryan Platt P Lane Tech