Oakton baseball dominates Skyway Conference awards

(May 11, 2016) Oakton Community College’s baseball team swept the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) individual awards and placed 10 players on the league’s all-conference teams. Owls pitcher Brandon Nowak (Notre Dame High School) was named ISCC Pitcher of the Year, outfielder Mike Miller (St. Lawrence High School) earned ISCC Player of the Year honors and head coach Bill Fratto was selected Skyway Coach of the Year.

Nowak, who compiled a 4-0 record with 33 strikeouts in 25 innings and posted a 2.16 earned run average in ISCC play, also was named First Team All-Conference along with hurlers Jake McCabe (Richmond Central High School) and Cody Pazik (Niles West High School). McCabe finished league play with a 2-0 record and three saves, striking out 12 batters in 15 1/3 innings and boasting a miniscule 1.17 ERA. Pazik went 3-1 in the conference along with 29 strikeouts and a 3.53 ERA in 20 1/3 innings.

Miller and infielders Logan Beaman (Cardinal Ritter High School) and Alex Niecikowski (Rolling Meadows High School) also were awarded First Team All-Conference honors. Miller batted .431, scored 23 runs, knocked in 13 RBIs and collected 19 hits (six for extra bases) in conference play. Beaman’s ISCC stats included a .380 batting average, 14 RBIs and 16 hits. Niecikowski recorded 13 hits, scored 15 runs and batted .361 in just 36 plate appearances.

Infielder George Karavidas (Glenbrook South), catcher Matt Delavega (Niles West), outfielder Devin Rybacki (Lake Park High School) and catcher Seth Dvorak (York High School) received Second Team All-ISCC honors.

Oakton completed league play with a 12-2 record while outscoring opponents 102-37, marking the second consecutive year the Owls have won the ISCC.

“We sure cleaned up with the awards,” said Fratto, who also earned coach of the year honors in 2006 and 2012. “That was a testament to the dedication of all the players. Without their work, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to achieve this distinction again.”