Prep Baseball Report

Recruiting news from around the state



Heartland Community College landed two significant transfers from former Class of 2009 Illinois standouts. Jerad Grundy, a LHP who starred at Johnsburg HS, and Mike Falsetti, a strong-armed catcher from Fenwick HS, are transferring to Heartland C.C. Grundy, a left-hander with an 88-92 mph fastball in high school, played his freshman year at the University of Miami. Grundy was ranked No. 4 in the Class of 2009. Falsetti, who was arguably the top defensive catcher in the Class of 2009, played his freshman year at Bradley University. Falsetti was ranked No. 23 in the Class of 2009.

Heartland is currently 42-9 heading in the regional tournament. Some former Illinois standouts have enjoyed monster seasons for the Hawks. Former Cary-Grove standout OF Eric Aguilera has 17 home runs with 65 RBI while former Jacobs OF Matt Igara has 10 homers and 74 RBI in 50 games. Aguilera is heading to Illinois State and Igara is committed to Western Illinois. On the mound, hard-throwing Dillon Napoleon is 11-0 with a 2.04 ERA. Napoleon, who played high school at New Trier, is signed at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

In other recruiting news, Valparaiso has received a verbal commitment from Rob Rabakozi, a Class of 2011 catcher from Reavis HS. A two-year varsity standout already, the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Rabakozi possesses a strong arm and power at the plate. As a sophomore, he hit .471 with 9 doubles, 4 homers and 29 RBI.

Nick Orbik, a 6-foot-4 3B/RHP from Marian Catholic HS, has committed to Rose-Hulman HS.

Jake Knauss, a 3B from Hersey HS, has committed to Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa.

Former Carterville standout LHP Brad Drust, who’s now at John A. Logan JC, has committed to Southern Illinois University.

Former Carlyle HS standout INF Travis Isaak, who’s now at Lincoln Trail JC, has committed to Murray State.

Former Collinsville HS standout OF Derek Mattea, who’s now at John A. Logan JC, has committed to Missouri State.

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