High school baseball: Geneva gets a boost from talented junior class

GENEVA – It’s a leap to move up from freshmen and sophomore baseball to varsity, but it’s still the same game.

First-year Geneva Brad Wendell had the unique opportunity of making the jump along with some of the same kids he coached last year on the sophomore squad, and they haven’t disappointed.

“I had the luxury of coaching these guys as sophomores so I knew this group pretty well,” Wendell said. “It’s deep with talent so I expected a number of the juniors to contribute, and that’s not putting down the senior class. That group has been great too. You just don’t know if a kid is going to make the transfer as a freshman or sophomore to varsity.”

Dom Guido has been a huge presence hitting in the No. 3 slot this spring with 18 RBIs (through May 21). He’s also stepped up defensively, transitioning over to play some shortstop after spending most of the season as the everyday second baseman.

“He’s hit the ball hard for us,” Wendell said. “His average has dipped a bit recently but it’s still at .394. He got us going in the conference season and has played well.”

Josh Rose saw action on the varsity team last year and continues to drive in runs.

“He’s had some arm issues so he’s recently been a DH more than our catcher,” Wendell said. “He’s hitting mostly in our five spot and has been one of the leading RBI guys, coming through with some big hits.”

Wendell said a player on the rise for the Vikings is Garrett Bragg. He’s only gotten 36 plate appearances but is hitting .323.

“He’s stepped up in some key spots,” Wendell said. “And he’s playing good defense.”

On the mound, southpaw Sean Sinisko, an Illinois State recruit, has been about as good as anyone in the area.

“He’s done a real nice job for us,” Wendell said. “He’s really had an excellent season and just been completely dominating at times.”

Sinisko’s only allowed 31 hits in his 37-1/3 innings while striking out 57. In more than half of his 11 outings he hasn’t been scored on. Of the seven earned runs he’s allowed, four came in one game against St. Charles North, so he’s been pretty light’s out.

Thanks to these juniors, as well as the seniors, among others, Wendell’s transition has pretty much been seamless, something he attributes not only to the talent on the team, but the quality of the kids.

“They’re all good kids from good families,” he said. “They’re all doing the best they can and having fun. … The weather with all the cold and rain has made things difficult, but the kids are sticking with it and it’s been a collective effort with a lot of different guys stepping up.”

Geneva will attempt to keep up the success when it faces South Elgin May 27 in a Class 4A Addison Trail regional semifinal. The must-win or turn-in-your-uniform time of the season has arrived.

“We’re hoping to be a team that is playing it’s best in June,” Wendell said.