Saves earn Burkett record at Cincy
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On the baseball field, Andrew Burkett cannot be described as subdued.
"I get my adrenaline pumping," said Burkett, a Prairie Ridge graduate. "I'm not one of those laid-back guys. I get pretty pumped up when I'm out there."
That attitude made Burkett a perfect fit for his role this season as closer for the University of Cincinnati baseball team.
Burkett, a senior, compiled a single-season school record 14 saves for the Bearcats (29-29), whose season ended Thursday at the Big East Conference Tournament in Clearwater, Fla.
Along with ranking No. 3 in the nation in saves, Burkett posted a school-record nine Big East saves.
"This is my favorite role I've ever had in baseball," Burkett said. "It really fits my personality."
Burkett, who led the team with 23 appearances, posted a 3.38 ERA this season as opposing batters hit only .213 against him.
"I've been able to throw my slider for strikes in any count," Burkett said.
The confidence in his slider has allowed Burkett to compile 23 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings. On Wednesday, Burkett was named to the All-Big East third team.
"I wanted to go out and enjoy my senior year," Burkett said. "I'm definitely surprised by the amount of success I've had. I've exceeded my own expectations."
Earlier this month, Burkett returned to Crystal Lake to mourn one of his biggest fans - his older brother, Josh, who was killed in a car accident May 4 near Woodstock.
During his breakout season, Andrew Burkett regularly got text messages and phone calls from his brother as he got closer to the school saves record.
"This year especially, he really took an interest in my baseball career," said Andrew Burkett, who remembered his brother's compassion and generosity. "He'd give you the shirt off his back if you needed it."
CCIW standouts: Cary-Grove grad Dave Hoffman and Richmond-Burton's Kevin Krajewski earned All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honors in baseball this spring.
Hoffman, a junior infielder at D-III Augustana who earned first-team honors, led Augie in 11 offensive categories, including a .424 average, 37 RBIs and 15 doubles for the Vikings (25-15).
A senior pitcher who also played at McHenry County College, Krajewski (2-2) has a team-best four saves this season to go with a 1.40 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings. He was named second-team All-CCIW.
Productive Panther: Dan Rowe, a freshman at D-I Eastern Illinois, earned a spot on the Ohio Valley Conference All-Freshman team after hitting .331 and posting a .435 on-base percentage for the Panthers (18-33). Rowe, a Prairie Ridge grad, has played in the infield and outfield for EIU this season.
Concordia award winner: Woodstock grad Zach Tropp, a senior second baseman for D-III Concordia University Chicago, was named honorable mention all-conference in baseball by the Northern Athletics Conference. Tropp batted .358 while leading the Cougars (31-9) with 19 doubles and 17 stolen bases.
Tropp also made the league's All-Sportsmanship team and was a member of the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Midwest District first team.
Barry Bottino writes a weekly column and a blog about local college athletes for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at BarryOnCampus@hotmail.com and check out his On Campus column every Saturday in the Northwest Herald sports section.
