Oakton Baseball Receives National Recognition
(February 2009)
The NJCAA ranked Oakton’s baseball team No. 16 in the nation in its Division II preseason poll released January 29, 2009.

Sophomore catcher Lyle Seaman also was named a Division II Preseason All-American. Seaman, who batted .382 with 16 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 2008, was a third-team selection.

This marks the third consecutive year under head coach Bill Fratto that the Raiders open the season as a nationally-ranked squad.

“Our 2009 team will once again be solid offensively and is much improved defensively from last year,” said Fratto. “We look forward to moving up in the polls.”

The Raiders open the 2009 season February 27, when they take on Fergus Falls Community College, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Nall, Gord staying in game they love at Oakton
By Marty Maciaszek
Daily Herald
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=263143

Prospect product Butkus makes Div. I grade
By Marty Maciaszek
Daily Herald
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=202663

Oakton should benefit
By Marty Maciaszek
Daily Herald
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148129

Oakton Splits Pair with Kirkwood to Open 2008 Season
(March 2008)
Billy Chapman (Barrington) pitched three solid innings to lift Oakton (1-1) to its first victory of the 2008 season, a 6-2 win over Kirkwood Community College in the second game of a doubleheader Sunday, March 2.

Denard Wade II (Proviso East) and Andrew Hagins (Oak Park-River Forest) each had two hits and an RBI for the Raiders in the victory.

Pitcher Vince Saisi (Prospect) earned the loss in the 8-1 opener. The doubleheader was played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

"It was a great experience for our team to play in a professional stadium," said Oakton head coach Bill Fratto. "Kirkwood is an elite team from the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference and we played them tough. That’s only going to give us confidence as the season progresses."

Oakton Players Chosen in MLB Draft
(June 2007)
Freshman right-hand pitcher Cedric Redmond (Joliet Township) signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs on Monday, May 28. Redmond, selected by the Cubs in the 27th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Amateur Free-Agent Draft, will report to the Arizona Rookie League, which begins play later this month. According to a Cubs scout, Redmond can throw a fastball at 95 mph and has “untapped potential.” Named to the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference All-Conference First Team, Redmond sported a 7-0 record on the mound for Oakton this spring, posting 68 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings.

In addition, the Houston Astros selected two Oakton pitchers in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Friday, June 8. Brian Wabick (Stagg) was drafted in the 34th round and Kyle Erdmann (Rolling Meadows) was chosen in the 40th round.

Wabick, a right-handed pitcher, posted a 7-5 record for the Raiders and accumulated 78 strikeouts in 72 innings of work. He also sported a 2.25 ERA and was named to the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference All-Conference First Team. Erdmann, a southpaw, compiled a 2-1 record and a 3.54 ERA for Oakton. The 6-4 freshman fanned 17 batters in 20 1/3 innings.

Under head coach Bill Fratto, the Raiders finished the 2007 campaign with a 41-15-1 record.

Raiders Host Region IV Baseball Championship
(May 2007)
The Raiders fell to Kankakee 2-1 in the first game of the NJCAA Region IV Division II Baseball Championship on Thursday, May 17.

In the double-elimination tournament hosted by Oakton, sophomore right-hand pitcher Brian Wabick (Stagg) struck out 11 batters and allowed just six hits in his complete-game appearance. The Raiders threatened in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases, but failed to score.

The Raiders (40-14-1) attempt to avoid elimination when they take on Moraine Valley at 11 a.m., Friday, May 18. The championship concludes on Saturday, May 19 with the winner earning a berth in the NJCAA Division II College World Series.

Oakton advanced to the NJCAA Region IV Division II Baseball Championship when they won a double-elimination sectional tournament they hosted May 12-13. On May 12, the Raiders posted a 9-1 win over Black Hawk and a 7-3 victory over Illinois Valley. The next day, Black Hawk narrowly defeated Oakton 5-4. This loss forced a winner take all game against Black Hawk, as both teams sported one loss in the tournament. Facing elimination, the Raiders flexed their muscles, winning 19-3.

"With our backs to the wall, we pounded out 19 runs – that really says a lot about our team," says Raiders head coach Bill Fratto.

Raiders Ranked No. 4 in National Poll
(April 2007)
The Raiders are ranked No. 4 in the nation in the latest NJCAA Division II Baseball Poll released on April 5. The Raiders climb up seven spots in the national rankings as they were No. 11 in the season’s first poll released on Feb. 16.

“I'm excited about being ranked so high, but we need to concentrate on defending our conference title,” said head coach Bill Fratto. "We’re gunning for two in a row."

The Raiders also have several players nationally ranked. Couri Benz is one of the top pitchers in the country averaging 1.27 strikeouts per inning, ranking him 12th best in NJCAA Division II. Offensively, Andrew Hagins' is 23rd in the nation with 30 RBI.

Baseball Splits Saturday Doubleheader with Minnesota
(from Penn State Web site)
(March 2007)
Stobart picks up first win in game one, Cavagnaro gets three hits in twinbill

Successful Florida Trip
(March 2007)
Priming themselves for their March 21 home opener, the Raiders baseball team went 12-1 on their annual Florida trip.

During their nine-day visit to the Sunshine State, the Raiders (12-2) flexed their muscle pitching five shutouts while outscoring their opponents 124-39. In addition to playing top teams from around the country and Canada, the nationally-ranked Raiders enjoyed the unique experience of scrimmaging against the New York Mets and Washington Nationals, two major league teams with nearby spring training facilities.

"Overall our trip to Florida went better than I could have imagined," said second-year head coach Bill Fratto. "Having our players go up against professionals gives them valuable experience that will only make them better. We also posted a victory against Alfred College, considered one of the best teams in the nation, which gives us tremendous confidence."

The Raiders left Florida leading NJCAA Division II in winning percentage (.857) and a .353 team batting average, which ranks eighth in the nation.

On the mound, John Rivera leads Oakton in wins with three, and Kyle Erdmann’s miniscule 1.08 ERA is a team best. Offensive leaders include Ryan Holley with a .447 batting average and Andrew Hagins with 25 RBI.

In their home opener, the Raiders play a doubleheader against Purdue University-Calumet on March 21, starting at 2 p.m.

Oakton’s Baseball Team Is Nationally Ranked
(February 2007)
Oakton’s baseball team is ranked No. 11 in the first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Baseball Poll of the 2007 season.

"Being nationally recognized is exciting," said Oakton head baseball coach Bill Fratto of the poll released on Feb. 16. "We were ranked No. 14 in the preseason and this is just the beginning for us. My goal is for us to be ranked even higher and with the team we have, I expect we’ll soon crack the top five."

In other team news, two standout high school players, Tim Storrs of Shepard and Lou Vicelli of Glenbard East, already have committed to Oakton for the 2008 season.

The defending Skyway Conference champions begin the 2007 campaign on March 2 when they play Ellsworth Community College at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Preseason Honors Coming Oakton’s Way
(January 2007)
Oakton Community College’s baseball team has plenty of reason to be optimistic about the upcoming 2007 season.

Collegiate Baseball, a newspaper considered to be an authority on amateur baseball since 1958, ranks four Oakton players on its list of "Junior College Players to Watch for the 2007 Season."

Freshman Cedric Remond (Joliet Township), a right-handed pitcher drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the Major League Baseball 2006 First-Year Player Draft, was named as one of the nation’s top junior college pitchers.

Sophomore Ryan Holley (Lincoln-Way East), Oakton’s leading hitter with a .368 batting average in 2006, was named as one of the country’s top first basemen.

Freshman Andrew Hagins (Oak Park and River Forest), who was chosen by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Major League Baseball 2006 First-Year Player Draft, was selected as one of the top junior college outfielders in the nation.

Oakton’s baseball team also received additional preseason accolades as the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association ranked the Raiders No. 14 in its Division II Preseason Poll.

"This says a lot about the success of our program," says Bill Fratto, Oakton’s head baseball coach. "It’s quite an honor to be so respected nationally."

Oakton finished the 2006 season with a 40-17-1 record to finish as Skyway Conference co-champions. Fratto also was named Skyway Conference Coach of the Year.

Oakton Adds New Players for 2007 Season
(August 2006)
Oakton has started retooling for the 2007 season with the addition of two players chosen in Major League Baseball’s 2006 First-Year Player Draft, according to head coach Bill Fratto.

Cedric Redmond, a right-handed pitcher drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 27th round, and Andy Hagins, an outfielder selected by Tampa Bay in the 30th round, will play for the Raiders in the 2007 season.

"Landing two talents who were both drafted by Major League Baseball teams is quite an accomplishment," said Fratto. "This puts us in a strong position to make another bid for the NJCAA Division II World Series."

As a senior, Redmond sported a 7-3 record for Joliet Township High School. He boasts a fastball in the low 90s. Hagins batted .530 for Oak Park and River Forest High School in his senior year.

Oakton’s pitching staff will be bolstered with the addition of Brian Wabick, a transfer from Kankakee Community College. The right-handed pitcher led Kankakee in saves last season but will play an important part in the Raiders rotation, according to Fratto.

During the 2006 season, Oakton was ranked as high as fourth in the NJCAA Division II baseball poll.

Oakton Baseball Players Announce Future Intentions
(August 2006)
Several players from Oakton’s 2006 Skyway Conference championship baseball team have declared future intentions, according to head coach Bill Fratto.

Pitcher Ryan Stobart (St. Viator) received a scholarship from Penn State and outfielder Jon Moore (Lincoln Way East) has verbally committed to Purdue University. Brian Schmelter (York) also will attend an NCAA Division I school as the pitcher received a scholarship to Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

Pitcher Nick Testin (Joliet Catholic) has signed a letter of intent to attend Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, pitcher Matt Michals (Rolling Meadows) earned a scholarship from Central Missouri State, and outfielder Chris Vidano (Joliet Catholic) will attend North Central College.

Infielder Al Cesario (Hersey), outfielder James Kateeb (Walter Lutheran), pitcher Bubba Frank (Maine West), outfielder George Whitten (Prospect) and catcher Eric Scott (Willow Brook) all have orally committed to attend McMurry University in Abilene, Texas.

"This speaks volume about our program here," said Fratto, Skyway Conference Coach of the Year. "It’s great to see so many players moving on, especially to NCAA Division I schools."

The Raiders, Skyway Conference champions for the first time since 1995, finished the 2006 season with a 40-17-1 record.

Oakton Adds New Players for 2007 Season
(June 12, 2006)

Oakton has started retooling for the 2007 season with the addition of two players chosen in Major League Baseball’s 2006 First-Year Player Draft, according to head coach Bill Fratto.

Cedric Raymond, a right-handed pitcher drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 27th round, and Andy Hagins, an outfielder selected by Tampa Bay in the 30th round, will play for the Raiders in the 2007 season.

"Landing two talents who were both drafted by major league teams is quite an accomplishment," said Fratto. "This puts us in a strong position to make another bid for the NJCAA Division II World Series."

As a senior, Raymond sported a 7-3 record for Joliet Township High School. He boasts a fastball in the low 90s. Hagins batted .530 for Oak Park and River Forest High School in his senior year.

During the 2006 season, Oakton was ranked as high as fourth in the NJCAA Division II baseball poll.

Oakton Hosts Regional Baseball Sectional
(May 10, 2006)
Oakton Community College hosts the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region IV Division II Baseball Sectionals on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14.

The three-team field consists of Oakton (40-15-1), Kankakee Community College (34-20), and Highland College (11-38). Three games are slated on Saturday, May 13: Kankakee and Highland meet in the opener at 12 p.m.; Oakton takes on Highland at 3 p.m.; and Oakton plays Kankakee at 6 p.m.

The tournament concludes on Sunday, May 14. Games are scheduled at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday’s outcomes will determine which teams will play each other on the final day.

Oakton's Fratto Named Skyway Coach of the Year
(May 2, 2006)

Oakton Keeps Climbing
(April 12, 2006)
Oakton is ranked No. 4 in the most recent NJCAA Division II Baseball poll released on April 12, 2006. Climbing three spots from two weeks ago, this is the highest the Raiders (30-7-1 overall, 3-1 Skyway Conference) have ever been ranked in College history. Right-hander Ryan Stobart (St. Viator) leads the Raiders pitching staff with a 7-0 record and has struck out 54 batters in 45 2/3 innings, while boasting a 1.38 earned run average. His seven wins also leads NJCAA Division II. Brian Schmelter (York) is also undefeated on the mound (6-0, 1.78 ERA) for the Raiders.

Offensively, the Raiders are averaging more than seven runs per game while posting a .336 team batting average. Freshman Jon Moore (Lincoln Way East) leads the team with a .484 average and also has amassed 30 steals this season.

"This national ranking is proof of the tremendous job head coach Bill Fratto is doing," said Oakton athletic director Dave Cole. "There is so much enthusiasm among the players and expectations remain high for the remainder of the season."

Oakton hopes fast start carries over to conference
By Marty Maciaszek
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Friday, April 07, 2006
Oakton College has climbed to seventh in the latest NJCAA Division II baseball poll.

Now the Raiders, who won 25 of their first 29 games, face their biggest obstacle at noon Saturday. They open Skyway Conference play with a double-header at Elgin Community College, which has reached the NJCAA World Series the last two years.

"It’s a big game for us," said first-year Oakton coach Bill Fratto. "It will tell us early if we’re where we need to be at the end.

"It’s not do-or-die but we want to get a good jump in the conference. They played some tough teams in Arizona (in 7-7 start)."

Fratto will send two of his aces to the mound Saturday in St. Viator product Ryan Stobart (6-0, 1.26 ERA, 41 strikeouts in 35¿ innings) and York graduate Brian Schmelter (6-0, no earned runs in 31 innings).

Fratto said Stobart continues to get interest for the major-league draft in June and by Division I colleges such as Iowa, Creighton and Binghamton (N.Y.).

Matt Michals (Rolling Meadows) is 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA, 36 strikeouts and only 4 walks in 20 innings. Bubba Frank (Maine West) has an 0.90 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 20 innings.

A big part of the offense has been Prospect graduate Chad Rebecca (.405, 13 RBI) in the No. 2 spot.

"Rebecca’s having a great year," Fratto said. "He’s just doing a great job at third base for us."

Fratto also likes the three-man rotation of Tom Hamann and Gary Malouf (Hersey) and Brian Magnuson (Fremd) at second base.

George Whitten (Prospect) has rebounded from a slow start and has 15 RBI and Schaumburg’s Al Cesario (.412) and Hersey’s Jim Cappellania (.406, 13 RBI) are making an impact.

Fratto said he also got some good news for the future with Ken Wieda, an all-area pitcher at Hersey last spring, planning to transfer in from Vernon Junior College in Texas.

"Things are going real well for us," Fratto said. "We’ve got some good things happening for some of the guys in our program."

He’s hoping there is even more to get excited about after Saturday.

Oakton Receives National Ranking
Oakton is ranked No. 7 in the most recent NJCCA Division II Baseball poll released on March 28, 2006. This is the highest the Raiders (23-4) have ever been ranked in College history. As a team, Oakton is batting .348 and averaging nine runs a game. Jon Moore (Lincoln Way East) still leads NJCAA Division II in steals with 24.

"It speaks volumes about Bill Fratto that in his first year as head coach the Raiders are nationally ranked," said Oakton athletic director Dave Cole. "The team’s talent level and tremendous coaching staff are good reasons to be optimistic about the season."

From the Daily Herald
(Tuesday, March 21, 2006)
Pitchers Ryan Stobart (St. Viator) and Matt Michals (Rolling Meadows) are both off to 3-0 starts for 16-1 Oakton College. Michals has an 0.65 ERA.

From the Daily Herald
(Sunday, March 19, 2006)
The Oakton Community College baseball team is off to an impressive 20-2 start this spring.

"This is our best start in years," said coach Bill Fratto. "The rankings come out March 28, and we’re hoping to make it into the top 10. We’re really excited about the way we’ve started the year."

Oakton’s successes include wins over three nationally ranked teams. On Saturday, the Raiders dropped Albert State 5-0 in Florida. Oakton has also beaten North Area Iowa and swept a doubleheader from Iowa Central.

The Oakton pitching staff has a 1.93 ERA. Matt Michaels (Rolling Meadows) is 3-0 with 33 strikeouts and 2 walks in 16 innings.

Ryan Stobard (St. Viator) is 4-0, and Bubba Frank (Maine West) is 2-0.

Chad Rebecca (Prospect) is leading the offense.

Jim Cappellania, Gary Malof, Dan Nix and Tom Hamann (all from Hersey), Brian Magnuson (Fremd), George Whitten (Prospect) and Jim Bristol (St. Viator) have also contributed.

"We know the schedule is going to get tougher when we get home," Fratto said. "We’re looking forward to our home schedule. We’d like to continue the momentum."

Oakton News Releases

• Oakton's Fratto Named Skyway Coach of the Year
  (May 2, 2006 )
  
• Oakton Signs 10 Players for 2007 Baseball Season
  (February 21, 2006)
• Oakton Baseball Players Receive Preseason Recognition
  (January 17, 2006)
• Oakton Names New Baseball Coach
  (October 4, 2005)
• Oakton Athletes Win Skyway Academic Awards
  (June 14, 2005)
• Oakton Baseball Player Earns All-American Honors
  (June 7, 2005)
• Talented Oakton Team Launches 2005 Baseball Season
  (March 1 , 2005 )
• Oakton Baseball Players Receive Preseason Recognition
  (January 18, 2005)