Chris Pack - Pitching Coordinator

• Co-Founder of Baseball Institute
• Played collegiate baseball at Villanova University and the University of Illinois. 
• Played professionally in the Arizona Diamondbacks Organization and Independently in the Frontier League. 
• From Darien, Illinois.

Email: baseballinstitute@gmail.com
Get to know Chris: chris_pack_bio_.pdf

​Jake Bartels 

• Played collegiate baseball at Western Michigan University.
  • Served as Closer for all four seasons
  • 7th All-time in single season saves and appearances 
• Currently attends The John Marshall Law School
• From Westchester, Illinois
• Get to know Jake: jake_bartels_bio_.pdf

Ron Biga

• Played collegiate baseball at Triton Community College and St.
  Xavier University. 
• Managed professionally for the Sioux City Explorers and
  Southern Illinois Miners. 
• Retired Field Manager and Dir. of Baseball Operations for the Windy City Thunderbolts.
• From Chicago, Illinois.

Get to know Ron: ron_biga_bio_.pdf

Colin Cruz

• Played Collegiate Baseball at Robert Morris University (Chicago) 
• Graduated with a bachelors degree in Sports & Exercise Science in 2017
• Graduated with a masters degree in Human Performance in 2018
• Previously assistant pitching coach at RMU 
• From Homer Glen, Illinois 

Steve Heilenbach

• Played 4 seasons at Illinois State University
• Played Independently with the Windy City Thunderbolts
• Was a 1st Round Pick of the Frontier League Draft
• Named 2nd Team All-Missouri Valley
• From Western Springs, IL

Kevin Johnson

• Four year starter at the University of Illinois.
  • All-Big Ten his Freshman year.
  • Team Captain his Jr. and Sr. years.
  • Top 10 in career strikeouts, appearances, Big Ten innings pitched, and wins.
• Drafted by the NY Yankees and Oakland Athletics.
• Played 2015 season and part of 2016 season with the Class A affiliate for the A’s.
• From Midlothian, Illinois.
• Get to know Kevin: Full Length Bio

Rick Lapka

• Played Collegiate Baseball at Morton Jr. College where he made all-conference and all-region teams
• Went on to play his last two collegiate seasons at Missouri Southern State on full scholarship
• Signed by the Cincinnati Reds and played 3 seasons amassing 220 innings with a 4.38 ERA and continued his career in the Northern and Frontier Leagues before retiring
• Over 5 years as a professional-member of 2 league championship teams and appeared in playoffs 4 of the 5 seasons
• Coached by many talented instructors, including Fergie Jenkins, Mack Jenkins, Brad Kelly and Tom House, who helped shape his foundations for pitching instruction.
• Was the pitching coordinator at a facility in Ashland, KY prior to his move to Chicago.
• Member of Nation Pitching-Tom House Sports which works with all facets of pitching and throwing development.

Connor Lowman

• ​​Pitched for the University of Wisconsin Parkside 
• Holds an associates degree in fire science 
• Graduated from Lincoln Way West High School
• Has been a pitching coach for the last 3 years for various organizations 
• 3 year varsity starting pitcher 
• Currently work as a Firefighter/Paramedic 
• Favorite hobby- hunting/fishing 
• From New Lenox, Illinois 

​Jordan Mikolajewski

• 2015 graduate of Mount Carmel HS, played all 4 years for the Caravan
  • 2015 IHSA Class 4A State-Runner Up Team
• Played collegiately at Iowa Wesleyan (2016), Oakton Community College (2017-18) and Roosevelt University (2019-21)
  • ​2018 NJCAA DIII World Series Championship (Oakton CC)
  •  logged over 86 innings as a starter for Roosevelt Lakers
• Holds a Bachelors in Business Administration/Management from Roosevelt University.
• Believes that mental control and the ability to adjust as a pitcher are keys to making yourself "invaluable" to a team.
• Get to know Coach Miko  Full Length Bio

Scott Popiwchak

• Played Collegiate Baseball at Illinois State
• Played in the Independent Northern Great Lakes League 
• Coached at Romeoville High School  
• 20+ years of Coaching Experience 
• Graduated from Weber High School out of the Chicago Catholic League 

Alex Crinigan

• Pitched for Oakton Community College where he helped lead the team to a National Championship.
• In 2018, named first team All-American and national pitcher of the year. 
• After Oakton, pitched for the number one overall ranked Concordia University Chicago
• Currently entering his second year as pitching coach for Oakton
• Hopes to one day become a college baseball head coach

Michael Sclafani

• Current player at Lewis University, having completed his freshman season earning a 3-1 record and a 4.54 ERA.
• Lives in Oak Brook, IL
• A 2020 graduate of Montini Catholic High School
  • Member of the 2019 IHSA Class 3A State Championship Team.
  • Named IHSBCA All-State Player, Daily Herald All-Area Player, as well as CCL All-Conference Player in 2019.

​Jake Suchor 

• Pitched for the University of Saint Francis (Joliet) 
  • Earned a bachelors degree in Business Management (Spring of 2021)
• Played at Joliet Junior College
  • Hit .410 and pitched 52 innings his Sophomore Year
• Graduated from Lockport Township High School in 2017 
• Favorite Hobby: Disc Golf 

Brian Loconsole

• Pitched for Western Illinois University in 2008
  • Graduated with a BA in psychology
• ​Drafted by the Angels in the 20th round
• Pitched an organizational low with a 1.68 ERA in 2014
• Signed with the Windy City Thunderbolts in 2016
• Went on to break the Single Season Save Record, win Reliever of the Year, All-Star Captain, and All Independent League honors