ROMEOVILLE, Illinois. - Lewis University head baseball coach Tim McDonough has announced Tom Durkin (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew), Tom Helwich (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central) and Mark Kornacker (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) as the first three members of his 2011 recruiting class.
Durkin, a right handed pitcher, was a member of the Great Lakes Team for the 2009 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series. He was selected to the 2010 Under Armour Preseason All-America team. Durkin has six years of experience with the Orland Park Magic and is currently playing with the Illinois Sparks 18's. He played in the World Wood Bat Association in Jupiter, Fla. Durkin had a 2.93 earned run average in 28.2 innings during his junior season at Andrew High School. He averaged better than a strikeout per inning with 29.
Helwich, a left handed pitcher/first baseman, was an all-area and all-conference performer with Lincoln Way Central his junior year. He led the club in batting average (.444), hits (40) and RBI (27). On the mound he led the team in innings pitched (49.1), strikeouts (47) and wins (5). As a sophomore he hit .340 with a team-best 28 hits. On the mound he went 5-3 with three saves, striking out 48 batters.
Kornacker, a third baseman/utility player, hit .345 at Lemont during his junior year. He had 29 hits with 18 runs, 16 RBI and six doubles. Kornacker brings experience with the Illinois Sparks. During the 2009 summer season he hit .369 with 22 singles, 21 runs, 18 walks and 17 RBI.
