Baseball 2/19/2025 9:51:00 AM

Hawks Baseball Preview - 2025

Palatine, IL: The baseball season is right around the corner as Coach Dominic Milano enters into his first year as Head Coach without the interim tag. Assisting him this season will be Hank Schau, Mason Schaller, and Marty Miller.

Last year's Hawks team set the precedent for a successful future, winning the most region games for Harper since 2014. It is now time for a new chapter and a new team. This upcoming season's roster will feature 31 new players, along with 13 returners from last year's team.

Coach Milano is extremely excited about the opportunity with this new group, "This is the most talented team Harper Baseball has had in 25 years. We are not shying away from that. We are embracing a growth mindset, and the belief of peaking and playing our best baseball when the playoffs come around."

Coach Milano and staff are extremely excited at the versatility and brand of baseball they can play with this group. "We have built a team that fits how we want to play. A pitching staff that is going to get ground balls, and let our defense do their jobs. Offensively, we possess a bunch of guys who command the zone at a high level, and are going to give professional at bats."

Here is a breakdown of the 2025 Hawks by position:

Catching
The Hawks will look brand new behind the plate this season, adding three new catchers, while returning just Ryan Anderson (Saint Xaiver University Commit). Kevin Geake (Lincoln Memorial University transfer) joins the Hawks offering leadership and knows what winning looks like. The other two catchers that will compete for playing time are Matt Guza (Prospect High School) and Gustavo Vivas (Lake Park High School). Matthew offers high upside defensively, and Gustavo possesses a strong arm.

Infield
One of the strongest areas of the 2025 team is the infield play from both an offensive and defensive standpoint. The Hawks infield is highlighted by Dominic Jacoby (Spoon River College transfer) and Nick Drtina (University of Louisville transfer). Jacoby has worked out for 15 MLB teams up until this point in time. He brings extraordinary defense, high level athleticism, and leadership. Drtina is a big left handed bat that has the potential to hit in the middle of the order. Drtina is a 2x State Champion, All State, and 3x All Conference.

Some other new faces in the infield include Alex Tabbert (Prospect High School) and Michael Mango (Lyons Township High School). Both of these guys are hard nosed and play the game the right way, and are hoping to make an immediate impact with the Hawks.

Two returners that are fighting for playing time are Cameron King (Florida National University Commit) and Josh Mathew. King and Mathew return after getting a combined 170 PAs last year.

The rest of the infield that is competing for time include Will Hickey (Triton College transfer), Jaxon Cook (Springfield Southeast High School), Evan Fahey (Hersey High School), and Daniel Aguirre.

Outfield
The outfield will be another spot that should see plenty of new faces. The Hawks outfield is highlighted by transfers Joey Glozier (West Georgia University), Spencer Geake (Wisconsin Parkside), and Connor Kave (Ohlone College). All three are left handed hitters, and offer a different style of baseball that compliment one another.

There are several freshmen that are competing for playing time, and the opportunity to find their way on the field. They include Brayden Clancy (Lake Park High School), Hickey, Brandon Koth (Jacobs High School), and Mitchell Hall (Leo High School).

Returning sophomores Derek Costilla and Alex Birt are both in the mix for playing time as well. Costilla provides versatility, and plays the right way. Birt provides instant pop and the ability to do damage at the plate.

The Hawks outfield is rounded out by redshirt freshman Peter Castaneda.

Designated Hitter
The designated hitter spot is a spot that can be filled by various Hawks. One player that has not been listed yet is Anthony Milano. Milano returns after a serious eye injury that derailed his season last year. Some other Hawks that can fill this role include Glozier, Spencer Geake, Birt, King, and Koth.

Pitching
This is an area the Hawks are hoping to take a huge step forward. The Hawks offer more pitching depth than ever before, and have 18 potential arms that could contribute.

At the forefront the Hawks return All-Region Second Team Selection in Mason Hulligan. Hulligan returns after a good freshman season and hopes to build on last year. Another key returner, who was at times dominant in his freshman season before getting injured, was LHP Ethan Dorka.

Other returners who have taken a step forward and are excited to contribute include LHP Joey Woods, RHP Daniel Broeker, and RHP Anthony Santos.

There are lots of new faces that are expected to contribute. Drtina offers a competitive mindset, and won 13 games his sophomore year of high school. David Essien (Fremd High School) will also be another name to look out for, as he possesses a fastball in the low 90s. Other newcomers the Hawks are looking forward to on the mound include Jeremy Florez (Joliet Junior College transfer), Zack Labrec (Lincoln Land Community College transfer), Skyler Duffy (Ohlone College transfer), and Zach Zalewski (Wheeling High School).

Position players who pitch as well, and have a chance to carve out high leverage roles include Spencer Geake, Jacoby, and Glozier.

There are several freshman that look to earn time on the mound, including 6'7" RHP Logan Sarna (Mukwonago High School), strike throwers Fahey and Jake Torres (Jacobs High School), and LHP Braylon Singer (Williamsville High School). The Hawks staff is rounded out by freshman RHP Collin Duffy (Quincy University transfer).

Schedule Notes
The Hawks kick off their season against powerhouses Heartland (Preseason 4th in country), Parkland (Preseason 13th in country), and Southwestern Illinois College. Encouraged by playing some of the best teams early in the country will pay off by years end.

"We set up the schedule to really challenge this team early on. We are embracing a growth mindset, and want to play the best, so when playoffs come around we have seen everything we needed to see" stated Coach Milano.

The Hawks are slated to play 46 region games starting on February 22nd against DII powerhouse and preseason 19th ranked Kankakee College.

The Hawks make the jump to DII in Region 4 this year after previously being DIII. With that comes more challenges and more competition, and the Hawks are excited and ready for the challenge. 12 out of 16 DII Region 4 teams will compete for the chance to win the Region starting May 8th.

The Hawks haven't had a 20 win season since 2014, and have only finished over .500 once in the last 25 years. This new look Hawks team is excited to break barriers, and continue the upward trend of Harper Baseball.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#34 Daniel Aguirre: INF; 5' 9"; Sophomore; R/R

#18 Ryan Anderson: C; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

#9 Alex Birt: OF; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore; R/R

#50 Daniel Broeker: RHP; 6' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#8 Derek Costilla: UTIL; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#26 Ethan Dorka: LHP; 5' 10"; Sophomore; L/L

#37 Mason Hulligan: RHP; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

#17 Cameron King: INF; 5' 10"; Sophomore; L/R

#19 Josh Mathew: INF; 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore; R/R

#11 Anthony Milano: INF; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/R

#10 Joey Woods: LHP; 6' 3"; Freshman; L/L

#28 Peter Castaneda: OF; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#34 Daniel Aguirre
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#18 Ryan Anderson
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: C

#9 Alex Birt
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#50 Daniel Broeker
: 6' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#8 Derek Costilla
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: UTIL

#26 Ethan Dorka
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; L/L
: LHP

#37 Mason Hulligan
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#17 Cameron King
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; L/R
: INF

#19 Josh Mathew
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#11 Anthony Milano
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/R
: INF

#10 Joey Woods
: 6' 3"; Freshman; L/L
: LHP

#28 Peter Castaneda
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R
: OF