July 21, 2025
Sports

High school baseball: Brendan Shanahan a senior tone-setter for Downers Grove North

By MATT LE

Downers Grove North's Brendan Shanahan slides safely into second base on April 28 in a crosstown game against Downers Grove South. One on of just two returning position players, Shanahan emerged as a leader for the Trojans this spring. (Bill Ackerman)

DOWNERS GROVE – Brendan Shanahan went from being a foot soldier to a general in the baseball equivalent of a blink of an eye.

The Downers Grove North senior catcher was a follower on a veteran team the past two years. As one of only two returning position players for the Trojans in 2016, he took on a much bigger role this spring.

“It’s actually really weird because last year we were more senior-dominated, so [those players] led everything,” Shanahan said.

The Trojans went 24-13 last season. They got off to a rocky start this season but played better coming down the stretch as a group of younger players improved thanks in part to Shanahan’s leadership.

“I feel like more of a leader and mentor to the younger kids because I’ve been taking the other catchers and underclassmen under my wing and teaching them the ways of varsity baseball,” Shanahan said. “I feel like it’s difficult because … everything is fast-paced.”

The leadership of Shanahan, a three-year starter, was vital, especially his handling of a young pitching staff that included only one returning starter in senior Ryan Cantlin.

“He’s been working with us really well,” junior pitcher Nick Taviani said. “He always keeps us in the zone. He’s always making sure we’re doing the right things.”

Downers North coach Chad Isaacson couldn’t have been more pleased with Shanahan’s leadership.

“He does a nice job,” Isaacson said. “He’s been with us for three years behind the dish, so he’s got a little bit of a presence. He’s known within our league, which always helps, and he throws well. He can control the running game pretty good.”

Shanahan’s biggest aim coming into the season was to help the pitchers control the game any way they could, and there was more to it than throwing strikes.

“There’s a lot to know,” Shanahan said. “You’ve got to help the pitchers control the running game. You’ve got to remind them to slide step, you’ve got to remind them to hold the runners and pick off and hold the ball longer and vary your looks. As a team, we’ve got to learn how to come together as a big family because that’s what we are out here.”