QUICK READ: Hirsch, Milroy could stick with college plans
Zach Hirsch plans to watch the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft unfold pick by pick today through Thursday, whether by TV or computer.
“For a person who’s into baseball, especially high school and college baseball, it’s fun to see,” he said.
Hirsch enjoys the guessing game that accompanies the event, which remains far less clear-cut than its football and basketball brethren. The recent St. Charles North graduate could even see his own name among the 1,500 called.
Should that happen, he plans not to flinch.
“I’m really not paying too much attention to it for myself,” Hirsch said. “I’m pretty much college all the way.”
Only a higher than expected selection and signing bonus would deter Hirsch from continuing his pitching career at Nebraska. The left-hander struggled to speculate where his strong senior season would put him in the first place after going 6-2 with a 1.15 ERA in 55 innings.
Marmion right-hander Matt Milroy, a Batavia resident, enjoyed similar success, setting school records for wins (seven) and strikeouts (101) as a senior. Still, he figures he’ll boost his stock by keeping his commitment to Illinois.
“That’s what I’m leaning towards right now,” Milroy said. “I really don’t have any idea where I could go, but I’ll definitely be paying attention.”
While Hirsch and Milroy chart the draft from separate Tri-Cities locales, 2008 North alum Danny Jimenez will take note from Mankato, Minn., where he is pitching for a summer league team.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted the southpaw in the 37th round last summer before he elected to honor his commitment to John A. Logan College in Carterville. Jimenez could move up after compiling a 6-2 record and 2.01 ERA for the Volunteers while striking out 94 batters in 89 1⁄3 innings.
“He’s been one of the top junior college pitchers in the midwest, if not nationally,” Hirsch said, “so I hope he goes pretty high. He’s a good kid and would deserve it.”
All in the family: More than 130 years after the Hatfields and McCoys started the mother of all family feuds, the Goodens and Pawlikowskis coexist in perfect volleyball harmony.
“We’re certainly two families that are deeply rooted in the sport,” former St. Charles East boys coach Stephanie Gooden said. “It’s really exciting that we’re all out in DeKalb together.”
Each clan has concentrated to that city in the past few months, beginning with former Batavia standout Coley Pawlikowski, who left her position as North Park women’s coach in March to become a Northern Illinois women’s assistant along with husband Dan. The daughter and son-in-law of Geneva girls coach K.C. Johnsen, the Pawlikowskis join the staff of eighth-year Huskies coach Ray Gooden, Stephanie’s husband.
Stephanie Gooden joined the trend after recently deciding to resign from her position at East upon having her second child in April. That was shortly after DeKalb hired her as girls coach beginning this fall. The family’s home is a short walk from DeKalb High School.
“It’s really hard and it’s really tough and it was a really emotional decision,” Gooden said. “There were hugs when I told the guys at East and there were tears, too.”
Gooden remains on standby for the Saints as East athletic director Jerry Krieg works to find a replacement. If a new staff is not in place by the time camps start in a few weeks, she is committed to running or assisting with them.
• Kevin Druley is a sports reporter for the Chronicle. Call him at 630-845-5347 or e-mail kdruley@kcchronicle.com.