Five players from both Naperville Central and Naperville North, along with four each from Benet and Waubonsie Valley, have been highlighted as outstanding performers. These players have demonstrated exceptional skills on the field during the Class 4A state semifinals.
First Team Selections
Andrew Barkley, Neuqua Valley, Senior, Outfielder: Barkley achieved a batting average of .348, hitting eight doubles, two triples, and one home run. He contributed 21 RBIs and scored 31 runs. Barkley’s defensive skills were impeccable, maintaining a perfect fielding percentage across 68 chances. Recognized as all-conference.
Gio Calandriello, Benet, Senior, Pitcher: Recently returned from Tommy John surgery, Calandriello secured a 5-2 record. With a 2.71 ERA, he managed one save and recorded 45 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. He is committed to play for Loras and has been honored with all-conference accolades.
Lawton Close, Naperville North, Sophomore, Pitcher/Third Baseman: Close’s performance included a 3-2 win-loss record, one save, and a 2.56 ERA. He struck out 46 batters over 46 innings. Offensively, he batted .309, with 11 doubles and three home runs. He contributed 22 RBIs, 21 runs, and five stolen bases. Close was named Conference Pitcher of the Year.
Scott Gillen, Waubonsie Valley, Junior, Second Baseman: Gillen achieved a .353 batting average with 11 doubles, contributing 22 RBIs. He scored 38 runs and stole 22 bases. Gillen earned all-conference honors.
Tyler Gluting, Metea Valley, Junior, Outfielder: Gluting excelled with a .432 batting average, hitting 14 doubles and eight home runs. He collected 25 RBIs and scored 35 runs, with eight stolen bases. Gluting was named to the all-conference team and all-state in Class 4A. He has committed to Oklahoma.
Notable Performances
Metea Valley’s Tyler Gluting made a memorable impact when he rounded third base after hitting a home run against Neuqua Valley during a Class 4A Plainfield North Regional quarterfinal in Naperville on May 25, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / Naperville Sun)
Cooper Page, Naperville Central, Senior, Shortstop: Page maintained a .314 batting average, including nine doubles. He added one home run and 18 RBIs to his record, along with scoring 36 runs. His performance earned him all-conference recognition.
Michael Page, Naperville Central, Senior, Outfielder: With a .385 batting average, Michael Page hit 14 doubles, four triples, and three home runs. He achieved 26 RBIs, scored 28 runs, and stole eight bases. Committed to North Central College, he was named all-conference.
Quinn Rooney, Benet, Junior, First Baseman: Rooney batted .385, hitting five doubles, five triples, and four home runs. He drove in 31 RBIs and succeeded in eight stolen base attempts. Rooney has committed to Notre Dame and received all-conference honors.
Max Steele, Naperville North, Senior, Pitcher/Outfielder: Steele posted a 4-3 record with 47 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings. His batting average was .375, with 12 doubles and two triples. He earned 25 RBIs, scored 29 runs, and hit one home run. Steele is committed to Benedictine and recognized as all-conference.
Further Recognition
Waubonsie Valley catcher Shane Torres returned to home plate during a nonconference game against Batavia in Aurora on April 9, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)
Shane Torres, Waubonsie Valley, Junior, Catcher: Torres’s remarkable batting average of .471 included 11 doubles and two triples. He hit two home runs and had 35 RBIs, complemented by 29 walks. He was named Conference Player of the Year and is committed to Oakland.
Grant Umbright, Naperville Central, Senior, Pitcher/Third Baseman: Umbright achieved an impressive 9-1 record with a 2.03 ERA. He struck out 71 batters in 48 1/3 innings and batted .324 with four home runs. He added four triples and achieved 30 RBIs, scoring 36 runs with five stolen bases. His commitment is to John A. Logan, with all-conference recognition.
Honorable Mentions
- Jonathan Giedraitis, Benet, Senior, Pitcher
- Diego Gutierrez, Metea Valley, Junior, Third Baseman
- Max Henson, Naperville Central, Senior, Pitcher
- Parker Howland, Waubonsie Valley, Junior, Outfielder
- Cohen Jeppson, Naperville North, Junior, Pitcher
- Christian Lott, Neuqua Valley, Senior, Pitcher/First Baseman
- Decker McDonald, Naperville Central, Junior, Pitcher
- Nathan Napolitano, Waubonsie Valley, Senior, Pitcher
- Peter Pignatiello, Benet, Sophomore, Shortstop
- Sam Steele, Naperville North, Sophomore, Outfielder
- Caden Vorwick, Naperville North, Senior, Outfielder
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter providing insights into local sports.