Leaders of the Pack
Baseball players are said to be the most superstitious athletes around. In March, after Prairie Ridge High School’s opening season rout, players said they found their team’s answer.

“He’s probably a good luck charm — setting a tone for the season,” said Kevin Kaczmarski, the Wolves’ standout center fielder. He was referencing someone in the first game as the reason they won so convincingly.  

Good omens to start the baseball year can prove to be fickle, and when a team has players such as seniors Kaczmarski and shortstop Chad Ljunggren helping capture a second state title in three years, luck might not even be necessary.

Kaczmarski has already signed a letter of commitment to play baseball at the University of Evansville. It’s a testament to the talent and success Kaczmarski has had with the Wolves.

After his speed as the Wolves pinch-runner in the 2008 state finals caught the attention of onlookers, Prairie Ridge’s left-handed hitting leadoff man batted .426 with three home runs and 23 RBIs at the top in 2009. The senior also scored 46 runs and stole 34 bases.

Kaczmarski is bringing the lumber once again this spring. He also has a prototypical attitude and approach at the plate needed from a leadoff hitter. “I don’t like to strike out too much,” he said. “I’ve learned to go the other way more consistently, and wait back more [on pitches].”

Kaczmarski has also developed his impressive swing by not rolling over pitches, and pulling the ball to the second baseman. He says he has relaxed more and let the ball travel.

He can rake at the plate, but also uses his quickness to play in center field. “I feel my speed overall, and my awareness to get to the ball, are the main reasons. I get pretty good jumps,” Kaczmarski said.

Strong teams are strong defensively up the middle. Ljunggren has the range to rob hitters who think they’ve got a clean single. “I get a good read off the ball and being able to move well laterally is important,” Ljunggren says.

He added that his form, quickness and being fluid have attributed to his overall defensive skills. Ljunggren hit .330 last year with the Wolves.

He’s batting in the three-hole, and is more of a steady batting average-type of hitter who’s learned to go to the opposite field.

“He does a great job of hitting different pitches and different speeds; and a real good approach at the plate,” said head coach Glen Pecoraro, who’s back for a second stint coaching the Wolves. “I like a guy who can stand on the ball and use the middle of the field.”

“I’m not a big RBI guy, but a guy who’s gonna do the little things right,” Ljunggren added.

Ljunggren and Kaczmarski have played together since the 2008 championship. Staying comfortable within each game is a factor for Prairie Ridge’s chemistry and success.

“You want to focus on the game,” Ljunggren said. “But we’ll talk — give positive encouragement, a little conversation — just to stay loose out there. Because you’re going to play baseball the best when you’re loose — if you’re tense, you’re definitely not going to.”

‘Sooner’ Rather than Later
Distractions within the confines of a baseball game come and go. While Crystal Lake Central played its way through a 2009 season to a closely fought regional finals loss last year, college and pro scouts had an eye on a particular pitcher.

Connor Sadzeck has not let the buzz about his arm distract him and his team of Tigers. “At first it was kind of nerve-racking, but I got a taste of that over the summer, playing in some pretty big showcases with scouts being there,” said the 6-foot-6-inch flamethrower.

In 2009, Sadzeck pitched in Georgia at The Perfect Game in East Cobb, as well as the Area Code Game in Long Beach, Calif. The senior has impressed the experts, drawn in several pro scouts, including the Philadelphia Phillies, and has already signed on to pitch as a Sooner for the University of Oklahoma.

Outstanding pitchers have deep focus on the mound and the ability to ignore outside influences on their performance. They zero in on getting the hitter out. Sadzeck has made

Central that much better today, while wowing the scouts with his come-and-try-to-hit-it 90-plus mph fastball. He hasn’t allowed the eyes on him cause him to forget his objective.
“I’ve learned how to adapt to that, and just be able to black that out,” he said.

Sadzeck is a power pitcher, but is capable of going to off-speed pitches if needed. “Last off season I was working on a changeup,” he said. “I have a pretty good curveball. So right now, I’ve got my fastball, curveball, changeup, slider; whatever’s working that day, I tend to go with.”

Tigers head coach Dan Badgely was a pitcher, too. He understands the value Sadzeck’s talent brings to his starting rotation. He also isn’t surprised at the attention his senior has gotten from the pros. “His name’s all over the place,” Badgley said of his highly rated pitcher. “As a former pitcher myself, I can see where he’s going, and he’s going to get looks from all these teams.”

Sadzeck is a step closer to a dream of making the big leagues. “There are times when I do [think about making it],” Sadzeck said. “I’m kind of a realist. These teams come to my games and talk to me. It’s nice to be able to sit back and say, ‘The hard work’s paid off.’”

Central is a force in the Fox Valley Conference this spring. They have the pitching to eclipse a .500 season last year. Pitcher Dylan Cysewski is described as “very polished,” while senior Tony Castranova will provide much-needed offense. Having a future pro prospect, too, is icing on the cake.