Ben Dallesasse sat quietly on the couch and answered questions.

He gathered his emotions and spoke softly as frigid air conditioning poured into the spacious confines of the Silver Cross Field press box in Joliet.

IHSA officials, journalists, players and coaches created a buzz while they scurried around the Joliet Jackhammers modern home. Dallesasse sat and answered with detailed poise how important it was that the DeKalb baseball team made it to the Class 3A state title game and reflected on the contribution of his Barbs' teammates.

It's the same moxie Dallesasse brought to the mound as the 2010 Daily Chronicle Baseball Player of the Year. When game situations intensified or teammates snapped into a frenzy at a big moment, Dallesasse focused on the process with surgical precision.

"I honestly like to forget about things that go right or wrong on the field," Dallesasse said. "I prefer to play comfortable mentally. I try to go out and calm people down. I'm not a fiery guy.

"I'm all about going out, relaxing and playing the game I love the best the way I know how."

In 2010, Dallesasse (11-2, 1 save, 1.87 ERA, 94 K) knew the Barbs had a chance to make his goal of qualifying for the state title game.

His leadership style wasn't the type of in-your-face Mike Ditka-styled passion that is more appropriate for YouTube videos than it is for success on the field.

Instead he preferred to make subtle contributions.

"Ben would quietly go about his work," DeKalb coach Justin Keck said. "He was passionate about everything he did on the baseball field. He knew this year's team could be good and he went out and was a leader by example."

Dallesasse's prep career is an example for any underclassman that makes the varsity squad.

He broke camp with the varsity team his sophomore year, but after a tumultuous start was sent down to the sophomore team.

It was a move that didn't propel Dallesasse into a downward spiral.

Dallesasse didn't go into a funk or yearn for the bright lights of the varsity. Instead he worked hard and kept the goal he had from his very first day of freshman baseball – play in a state title game.

"I thought I just had to keep trying harder at that point," Dallesasse said. "I was battling a sore arm and the team was struggling a bit. I knew I would get back and have a shot at my dream of playing in a state title game."

The initial setback didn't scare Keck either. The DeKalb coach knew Dallesasse had an unrivaled intrinsic motivation. Keck saw it when Dallesasse threw a two-hitter as a freshman in a summer-league game against a lineup filled with older West Aurora hitters.

And Keck saw it repeatedly this year when Dallesasse's resolve carried the Barbs' farther than ever before.

"There was a moment after he went back down to the sophomore team that I was worried I might have rushed him," Keck said. "But Ben is one of the most confident kids I have ever coached. I knew he would come back."

Dallesasse returned from the setback and posted two stellar seasons. The record, statistics and push to the state title game wasn't quiet, even if his leadership role was.

2010 Daily Chronicle All-Area Baseball Team

First Team

Ben Dallesasse
Senior, DeKalb, Pitcher/3B/C
The 2010 Daily Chronicle Player of the Year was 11-2 with 1 save and was the Western Sun Conference Player of the Year. He hit .282 with three home runs and 34 RBIs for the 27-11 IHSA Class 3A state runner-up Barbs. He played every position in his prep career.

Nathan Harbecke
Senior, Sycamore, Pitcher
A durable rock on the mound for the Spartans, Harbecke was 5-5 with a sub 3.00 ERA. Was heavy in the strike zone and was the one reliable pitcher on the Sycamore staff that could consistently turn in a quality start.  
 
Jake Lemay
Senior, DeKalb, Pitcher/C
The unenviable task of playing pitcher and catcher didn't tax the sturdy Lemay. He played two difficult positions yet piled up impressive stats; .376 avg., 44 hits, 31 RBIs, 28 runs, 13 doubles, 3 home runs.

Brian Sisler
Sophomore, DeKalb, SS
Dallesasse said he "was surprised Brian Sisler didn't get player of the year," because the sophomore "amazed me all year with his batting average and fielding. He deserved it, too." Sisler was one of the state's best leadoff hitters and led DeKalb with a .513 avg., 61 hits, 37 runs and 15 doubles. He also had 30 RBIs and two home runs.

Jake Tickle
Senior, Kaneland, Pitcher/2B
A perfect 7-0 mark on the mound and a 19-game hitting streak were the highlights for the senior who also hit .394. He had a 2.97 ERA and a save in the WSC finale, which gave the Knights a share of the regular season title.

Second Team

Reece Bend
Senior, Indian Creek, Pitcher/Utility

Eric Ray
Junior, Sycamore, SS/Pitcher

Mitch Ruh
Freshman, Hinckley-Big Rock, Pitcher/C

Kevin Sullivan
Sophomore, DeKalb, 2B

Cody Varga
Junior, DeKalb, Pitcher/LF

Honorable Mention

Colton Craig
Senior, Hinckley-Big Rock, Pitcher/SS

Eric Drendel
Junior, Genoa-Kingston, Pitcher

Josh Johnson
Junior, Indian Creek, Pitcher/SS

Trent Owens
Senior, Sycamore, Relief Pitcher

Frank Petras
Senior, DeKalb, CF

Bobby Thorson
Junior, Kaneland, 3B

Taylor Rogers
Senior, Genoa-Kingston, Pitcher