L-P trio signs to play college baseball

When the La Salle-Peru baseball team takes the field this spring, the Cavaliers will have at least three future college players on the roster.

Pitcher Julius Sanchez, middle infielder Jack Scheri and first baseman/catcher Aidan VanDuzer all signed national letters of intent on Wednesday.

Sanchez signed with Illinois, Scheri is headed to Creighton and VanDuzer will play at Olivet Nazarene.

“It means a lot,” L-P coach Matt Glupczynski said. “It shows we have a lot of talent in this area. To have kids coming out of La Salle-Peru High School with that talent, I think it brings a lot of excitement to our team, it brings a lot of excitement to the community and for the young kids out there who have aspirations of playing baseball. They get to see first hand three guys playing locally whose hard work paid off. They’re all going to great programs and playing at a really high level.

“I’m really excited for all three of them. I’m really proud of them. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”

Sanchez said Illinois was the only school he seriously considered.

“Illinois was such an easy decision for me, and what really helped me in my decision process was my friendships with a few of the players there and how I was really able to connect and create a solid bond with the coaching staff,” Sanchez said. “I also chose Illinois because of its well-known academics and engineering program, which I hope to be accepted into and pursue.”

As a junior at L-P, Sanchez was 3-2 with an area-best 0.33 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 42 innings. He was named Class 3A All-State by the Illinois Coaches Association.

“Julius has an electric arm,” Glupczynski said. “There’s still room for him to grow and put on even more velo. He has an unbelievable offspeed pitch and his changeup is really good. U of I got a great one. I’m not sure exactly how they’re going to use him if he’ll be a closer or a starter, but whatever role they have for him, he’s going to excel.”

Sanchez joins a Fighting Illini program that went 22-22 in 2021.

“I am extremely grateful for everything that has happened to me and for everyone who has impacted my life,” Sanchez said about the opportunity to play Division I baseball. “I am truly at a loss for words to explain my happiness knowing that all the long nights and hard work have been paying off. Being able to bring my abilities to the next level is such a blessing and I could not be more excited.”

Scheri said he chose Creighton over Xavier, Illinois State, Columbia and Penn.

“I chose Creighton because, overall, it was a great fit,” Scheri said. “Creighton has great academics, which was high on my list of what I wanted in a college. They have a great baseball program known for winning and developing players. I also respect the coaching staff and their view on how the game should be played. I felt like I would have the opportunity to play early on, which is what I need to keep developing.”

Last season, playing just 14 games because of injury, Scheri hit .379 with 22 runs score, eight RBIs, four doubles, a pair of home runs and a triple.

“Jack is an all-around great baseball player,” Glupczynski said. “He has a great baseball IQ. He has the physical tools. He has a great arm. He can hit for power. He can hit gap to gap. He has a ton of speed. I think the sky is the limit for him. What’s going to set him apart are his leadership skills. He’s a high-character kid. Creighton is very lucky to have him.”

Scheri joins a Blue Jays program that went 24-15 in 2021.

“I am very thankful to have the opportunity to play Division I baseball,” Scheri said. “I knew that is what I wanted from a young age and have worked hard day in and day out to achieve this dream.”

VanDuzer said Olivet was a good fit.

“The reason I chose Olivet over other schools was the comfortability and confidence to succeed both academically and athletically for four years,” VanDuzer said. “I felt it was a place I was wanted and I could come to Olivet and help the team win more games and championships.”

As a junior, VanDuzer hit .380 with seven home runs, five doubles and 24 RBIs.

“Aidan has a ton of power,” Glupczynski said. “He has a plus bat. We say he has light tower power. The ball sounds different off his bat. He’ll probably be able to play first base or behind the plate. He’s a really hard worker. He has great leadership skills, and he’s a great communicator.”

Olivet Nazarene is an NAIA school where former World Series MVP Ben Zobrist played. The Tigers went 39-19 in 2021.

“I couldn’t be more happy and blessed with the opportunity I’ve been given by Olivet and the coaching staff to be able to play out my dream of playing college baseball,” VanDuzer said. “It’s something only a fraction of kids get to do, and I couldn’t be more proud of how far I’ve come.”