Ryan Crowley rolled out of bed around 11 a.m. last Thursday with the hopes of yesterday not repeating itself.

The Morton pitcher was logged onto MLB.com June 10 where he watched Rounds 4 through 30 of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. But he never saw his name displayed on the Web site’s Draft Tracker.

“It’s extremely tough because you’re just waiting for that phone call,” Crowley said. “You don’t know when it’s going to come.”

It came about 15 minutes after waking up on Thursday. The left-handed pitcher became the 1,093rd overall pick after being selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 36th round.

“It’s a huge relief,” Crowley said. “I was glad to finally turn the computer off.”

The 2009 Suburban Life Spring Boys MVP now will be engulfed in arguably the most important decision of his life: Pursue an MLB contract with the White Sox or continue on his original plan to attend the University of Missouri next school year?

It’s a decision Crowley said he did not expect to be faced with just two seasons ago. During the Berwyn resident’s sophomore season on varsity, a scout from the Philadelphia Phillies made an appearance at a game. At the time, Crowley thought the idea of pitching professionally was a lofty aspiration. That all changed after his first start of 2009 when there were nine MLB scouts in attendance.

“He used to struggle going deep in counts,” said Morton baseball coach Jim Tsenes. “The number of pitches he was throwing became so high by the fifth inning, that I would have to take him out. He had much more control this season than in years past. He had more confidence in all his pitches, even with 1-0 and 2-0 counts. When he was on, he went through lineups very quickly. There were times he didn’t even get touched.”

Control was evident for Crowley in 2009. He posted a 103-to-12 strikeouts-to-walks ratio with 10 earned runs in 58-1/3 innings.

“I was stronger than in the past because of my conditioning and my experience in the area code games,” Crowley said. “I could go deeper in games. I did what I needed to do.”

Crowley has some time to come to a decision on his baseball future, whether it be in the minor leagues or the collegiate ranks.

“It’s a big comfort knowing you have something to fall back on,” he said. “I never thought I would be in this position.”

Meet the rest of the 2009 Boys Spring Sports All-Area team.

TRACK AND FIELD
Ed Awah
Lyons Township, senior
Achievements Not much was known about him before the season. That has changed. In his first state meet two weeks ago, Awah raced to an all-state medal by taking ninth in the 110 high hurdles, becoming LT’s first hurdles medalist since 1986. Awah excelled in both hurdle events and was the West Suburban Silver and sectional champ in the 300 hurdles and WSS runner-up in the 110 highs.

BASEBALL
Ryan Crowley
Morton, senior
Achievements A two-time all-area selection, Crowley had his most consistent season as a third-year varsity starter. In 58-1/3 innings, the senior was 7-3 with one save, 103 strikeouts, 12 walks and a 1.20 earned run average. He has signed to play baseball at Missouri next year and was also drafted by the Chicago White Sox. Crowley was also an all-West Suburban Gold selection in 2009.

BASEBALL
Steve DalPorto
Nazareth, senior
Achievements An all-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection, DalPorto hit .340 with 17 RBIs, nine doubles, three triples, three home runs, 31 runs, 25 walks and 12 stolen bases. The senior was a four-year starter and a two-time all-area selection. DalPorto will be taking his game to the Division I level next season as he will be playing at Baylor University.

TRACK AND FIELD
Danny Diaz
Morton, junior
Achievements The junior came in third place in the discus at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional with a throw of 161 feet, 1 inch, qualifying for state. Diaz also had a productive weekend in Charleston, advancing to the finals with a throw of 150-7 and eventually coming in 11th place after posting a toss of 158-2. Expect the senior-to-be to make an impact on the football field this fall as well.

VOLLEYBALL
Stephen Drent
Nazareth, Junior
Achievements All teams always seem to find an individual or two that holds everyone together. This past spring, Drent once again served as that glue for the roadrunners in arguably his best season yet as an outside hitter. The junior also earned a quality accolade after being named an all-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection for the second straight year. 

BASEBALL
Mike Falsetti
Fenwick, Senior
Achievements The Bradley-bound catcher was arguably one of the best at his position in Illinois. Falsetti had 22 assists behind the play with 206 putouts, one passed ball and three throwing errors. Offensively, the senior batted .316 with three home runs, 17 runs, 18 RBIs, eight doubles, one triple and 24 walks. He was a first-team all-state selection by the Illinois Coaches Association.

BASEBALL
Elliott Ferguson
St. Joseph, senior
Achievements The senior was a first-time all-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection. In 2009, Ferguson batted .338 with eight home runs, 31 RBIs and 12 doubles. His biggest highlight of the season was a three-run homer in a 6-5 win over Montini that gave the Chargers their first regional title since 2005. Ferguson has plans to be a preferred walk-on at Indiana State next year.

VOLLEYBALL
Jonathan Hernandez
Morton, senior
Achievements In the Mustangs’ first run to the state tournament since 1995, the senior was explosive at the net throughout 2009. The second-team all-state selection finished with 287 kills, 118 digs, 11 aces, 21 blocks and six assists. Hernandez was also an all-tournament selection at the prestigious Richards Tournament.

VOLLEYBALL
Pete Jansen
Riverside Brookfield, Senior
Achievements If the Bulldogs were in a conference for boys volleyball, it’s safe to say that Jansen would have been an all-league selection in 2009. The senior was one of the most complete volleyball players in the area and backed that up this season with 162 kills, 37 aces, 16 blocks and 132 digs as a 6-foot, 3 inch outside hitter.

TRACK AND FIELD
Alex Lyons
Lyons Township, senior
Achievements As far as middle distance runners go, Lyons was one of the state’s best. He ended his career earning his first all-state medal in the 800 (ninth) and along with teammate Ed Awah became the program’s first all-staters since 2006. Lyons, who missed being all state in that event by one place as a junior, was the first medal winner for the Lions in the 800 since 2003 and also captured West Suburban Silver and sectional titles.

WATER POLO
Matt Napleton
Fenwick, senior
Achievements The Bucknell-bound goalie was the backbone for the Friars during his prep water polo career. Napleton was key in Fenwick’s state championship run and stood out against Sandburg in the championship game, which the Friars won 19-4 for their sixth straight title. With 150-plus saves to his credit during 2009, the senior displayed the ability to be one of the best goalies in Illinois.

BASEBALL
Ryan Pacyga
Nazareth, senior
Achievements Head coach Lee Milano described Pacyga’s 2009 performance as unbelievable. An all-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection, the senior was a hitting machine in the playoffs with a .750 average in five games. His final statistics were a .456 batting average, 47 RBIs, 10 home runs (school record), nine doubles and 34 runs. He is also the school-record holder for career home runs with 21 and will attend John Carroll. Pacyga was named an all-state selection by the Illinois Coaches Association.

BASEBALL
Joe Ruge
Riverside Brookfield, senior
Achievements A two-time all-area selection, Ruge was arguably the most complete player in the area. The two-time Metro Suburban Conference MVP hit .383 with five home runs, 45 RBIs (school record), 24 runs and 16 walks. On the mound, Ruge posted a 0.96 earned run average with four shutouts, four complete games, 61 strikeouts and one save. The senior will continue his playing career at the University of St. Francis.

BASEBALL
Scott Rysz
Riverside Brookfield, senior
Achievements The center fielder was productive in multiple offensive categories throughout 2009. Rysz hit .417 with four triples, 30 RBIs, seven doubles, four home runs, 14 stolen bases and 33 runs. He also collected 16 walks with a .652 slugging percentage and was an all-Metro Suburban Conference selection. His playing career came to an end because Rysz will be attending Illinois to study business.

BASEBALL
Andrew Schrepfer
Lyons Township, senior
Achievements One of a handful of players returning with varsity experience, Schrepfer improved his offensive numbers and was an asset for the Lions all over the field. The all-West Suburban Silver catcher, who hit nearly .400 with 30 RBIs, also played three infield positions, as well as left field. He was voted Lyons Township’s MVP.

TENNIS
Danny Schuster
Lyons Township, sophomore
Achievements Schuster was a state qualifier in singles as a freshman and made a second trip this spring by teaming up with Matt Straface. The unseeded duo posted a 4-2 record at state to finish in the top 24 and earn third-team all-state status. As a doubles team, Schuster and Straface went 10-6. In two years at state, Schuster has a 6-4 record.

TENNIS
Matt Straface
Lyons Township, junior
Achievements The second half of the LT doubles combo, Straface earned his first trip to the IHSA state finals with teammate Danny Schuster. Throughout the tournament, the duo knocked off three higher-seeded teams to post a 4-2 overall record. They also took fourth at the West Suburban Silver tournament and third at the Downers Grove South sectional.

TRACK AND FIELD
Joe Swon
Riverside Brookfield, senior
Achievements Swon was a versatile athlete for the Bulldogs during 2009 and truly proved himself in the Class 2A Glenbard South sectional by qualifying for state in three events. He won the triple jump (42 feet, 4-3/4 inches) and 300-meter intermediate hurdles (41.28) and took second in the long jump (21-1/2). At state, he finished eighth in the long jump (21-3/4) and 11th in the triple jump (44-8).

VOLLEYBALL
Jose Valencia
Morton, senior
Achievements Valencia was an all-around complete presence for the Mustangs in 2009. The setter finished the season with 700 assists, 78 kills, 60 digs, 28 blocks and 15 aces. Valencia was voted Morton’s co-MVP, sharing the honor with Jonathan Hernandez, and was also an all-West Suburban Gold selection.

BASEBALL
Chris Wanderling
Nazareth, senior
Achievements The senior was an all-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection this season, thanks to his steady approach at the plate. Wanderling hit .345 with 19 RBIs, four doubles, two triples, 37 runs, 29 walks and 14 stolen bases. He will continue playing baseball next school year when he enrolls at Benedictine University in Lisle.

WATER POLO
Pat Weigand
Lyons Township, senior
Achievements The last four months in the pool were quite a whirlwind for Weigand, who ended his prep career by helping the Lions get a fourth-place state water polo trophy. Also earning two all-state finishes in swimming, Weigand had a team-high 128 goals to go along with 48 assists for the 22-8 Lions. He also scored the winning goal in triple overtime as the Lions beat Oak Park-River Forest for the West Suburban Conference tournament title.

WATER POLO
Chris Wendt
Fenwick, senior
Achievements Wendt was arguably the top offensive threat in the state after maximizing his skills in the pool with an impressive wing span. The senior will continue his playing career at UCLA next school year. Wendt finished 2009 with 108 goals and 74 assists en route to aiding Fenwick to yet another state title. In the state championship game against Sandburg, Wendt netted five goals on six shot attempts.

BASEBALL
Jeremy Wilson
Morton, junior
Achievements An all-West Suburban Gold selection, Wilson’s second season as a varsity starting pitcher was productive to say the least. The junior went 7-0 in 68-1/3 innings. He posted a 1.23 earned run average with 90 strikeouts and only 22 walks. Wilson is receiving some NCAA Division I interest and has a great chance to make a push as a Suburban Life MVP in 2010.

TRACK AND FIELD
Mike Yerkes
Fenwick, senior
Achievements Yerkes truly found his stride in the 800-meter run this season. The senior came in second place at the Class 3A Fenwick sectional in 1:59.24 and qualified for his first state meet. At Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Yerkes would advance to the finals with a time of 1:56.61, then post an 11th-place finish the next day with his time of 1:57.71.

Honorable mention
LYONS TOWNSHIP
Peter Bruton, water polo; Spencer Ellison, water polo; Jake Crnkovich, gymnastics; Chris Fahnstrom, gymnastics; Mike Janusek, track and field; Dane Krzyskowski, track; Jack Hostettler, track; Andrew Allabastro, track; Tim Pollard, track; Steve Kovalsky, track; Jeremy Keys, track; Eric Covington, track; Karston Anderson, track; Ryan Mitchell, track; Sam Telfer, track; Pat Rhode, track; James Leszczynski, baseball; Ben Trefil, baseball; Nick Kenaga, tennis
MORTON
Vince Manno, baseball; Danny Gonzalez, baseball; Tom Eukovich, baseball; Kahlid Mayes, track; Alfonso Pereda; volleyball; Everardo Valencia, volleyball; Mike Capone, volleyball; Sergio Cruz, volleyball
FENWICK
Brian Barron, water polo; Craig Borkovec, water polo; John Osborne, water polo; Cam Verbeke, baseball; Martin Grady, track; Steve Blazer, track; Tom Laser, track; Mike Pill, tennis; Rob Hickey, tennis; Tyler Kiefer, tennis
RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD
Will Lushoff, track; John Mossman, track; Zak Martell, baseball; Kevin Onischuk, baseball; Matt Scott, baseball; Matt Gehrke, volleyball; Ryan Bednar, volleyball
PROVISO WEST
Trent Ervin, track
ST. JOSEPH
Joe Krasny, baseball; Joe Battaglia, baseball; Sterling Jackson, track
NAZARETH
Tony Barreto, baseball; Michael Moles, baseball, Ryan Mullaney, tennis; Miles Dobis, high jump