After a season of highs and lows, Romeoville baseball ends with a loss to Waubonsie Valley in the first round of regionals, 11-3.
Next year head coach Tony Smith and company have the tedious job of rebuilding. On the Spartans' 15-man roster, they will lose 10 seniors.
Although Romeoville fell victim to inconsistency, it held close duels with some of the top teams in the state. The Spartans defeated Top 20-ranked Sandburg by 10-run rout rule, and nearly won against No. 1 Providence Catholic.
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“They’re hardworking kids and they’re going to be successful at the next level,” Smith said Monday. “Is it really about wins and losses? It’s about taking what you get at this level in correlation of what you do in your next step in life.”
Seniors Matt Gillis, Josh Chlebanowski, Kyle Lenihan, Casey Moll, Jordan Pemble, Justin Hurdle, Jeremy Pociask, Justin Hurst and James Mikyska all will graduate at the end of the month.
Gillis, Lenihan, Pociask and Mikyska plan to play baseball next season — and in Gillis’ case, football as well — at their respective colleges. Gillis will play at Wartburg University in Waverly, Iowa, while Lenihan has committed to Augustana.
Mikyska brings his abilities to University of Mary in Bismarck, N. D. Pociask is undecided, but is leaning toward Benedictine University in Lisle.
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“All we can do here just move forward,” Lenihan said after the loss to Waubonsie Valley. “[My teammates] are like my family and I love them to death. It’s hard to see this come to an end.”
Hurst plans to attend Hofstra University in Long Island, N.Y., while Moll moves on to Wheaton College. Pemble will further his education at Judson University in Elgin.
Chlebanowski and Weber both plan to attend Joliet Junior College. The other six remain undecided whether they will try to walk on at their next schools.
“I’ve been playing with these guys since eighth grade and they’re like my brothers," Chlebanowski said. “We busted our [tail] every day. We want the underclassmen to be pumped to come play baseball everyday. Be ready to risk your body for the school, the coaches and yourselves.”
Juniors Vidal Gonzalez, Anthony Gladstone, Matt Venn, James and Frank Rooks will return as the only players with varsity experience. They will take on the new leadership roles as well.
Smith is looking to James Rooks to take the role of pitching ace. Gonzalez is the team's other option on the mound.
“It’s tough to replace a big roster,” Smith said. “We have guys coming in on the sophomore and freshman next year. It’s going to be hard to replace these seniors not only for their game, but we’ll miss them as good kids.”
