STAFF
Eddie Holbrook, Baseball Instructor
Baseball Instruction. Specializes in hitting and fielding. Coach Holbrook, a switch-hitter, was a member of the University of Nebraska team that won the 2002 Big 12 championship team and played in the College World Series.
Previous Coaching Experience:
• Trinity International University – Assistant Coach
• Crusader Baseball, Lincoln, Nebraska – Head coach
• Northern Knights Baseball – Director of Operations
Joe Kinsella, Head Softball Coach Lake Forest College
The 2021 season will be Joe Kinsella's 15th at Lake Forest College and 20th as a collegiate head coach. The three-time Midwest Conference South Division Coach of the Year owns a 274-180-1 overall record. Kinsella graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in Joliet, Illinois, and Illinois Wesleyan University. His high school football team captured a state title and his college squad advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Rich Mascheri, Minor League Pitcher
Baseball Instruction. Specialize in pitching and hitting. Wauconda High School standout, continued career at Western Illinois. Mascheri began his professional career with the Normal CornBelters in 2012, where he recorded 10 saves with a 2.29 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched. In 2013, Signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. Recently played for the Chicago Dogs as a relief pitcher. Richie currently is a head coach in the MVP Elite Baseball organization.
Jack Kopacz, Ex International League Catcher
Baseball and Softball Instruction. Specializing in catching, hitting, fielding, speed and agility. Wauconda High School ‘02 standout and second team all-American catcher at Missouri Baptist. In 2007, continued his catching career in the German Professional League. Has been coaching youth baseball for the past 10 years and currently is part of the MVP Elite Baseball coaching staff.
Laura Matter, Softball Instructor
Softball Instruction. Specializes in fielding and hitting (slapping). Also teaches pitching mechanics at the youth level. Former Lake Zurich HS standout third baseman. Received Double major in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine and Physical Education from Illinois State University. Currently is PE teacher at Seth Paine Elementary School and coaching travel softball
Julian Martinez, Hitting Instructor
Martinez was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985 and spent 8 seasons playing Professional Baseball. In addition, he has coached on the major league level for 13 seasons which includes a five-year stint with the Chicago Cubs (doubled as Sammy Sosa's personal hitting instructor) and an eight-year stint with the Washington Nationals where he has worked with MLB superstars Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper.
Kurt Kempema, Baseball Instructor
Baseball Instruction. Specializes in pitching and fielding. Standout High School pitcher from Schaumburg, IL. Concordia University Chicago 2015 Secondary Education/Chemistry graduate. Has been coaching at the youth level for 5 years and currently serving as pitching coach for the MVP Elite Baseball program.
Grant Davis, Baseball Instructor
Baseball Instruction. Specializes in fielding and hitting. Standout HS outfielder from Morris, IL. Concordia University Chicago 2017 Sports Management graduate. Two-time Division III World Series participant. Grant currently is a head coach in the MVP Elite Baseball Program
Clay Kovak, Pitching Instructor
Played at Mundelein High School, where he was twice named to Illinois All-State Team as a Pitcher and once as a 3rd Baseman. He helped the Mustangs in 2002 to a school record in wins (32) and a 4th Place Finish in the IHSA State Tournament. Clay earned a scholarship to play at Michigan State University as well as Indiana State University, where he appeared in 60 games and hitting close to .300 over his collegiate career.
Clay is now currently the Varsity Head Coach at Wauconda
Chris Brown, Baseball Instructor
Baseball Instruction. Focus on HS Players & specializes in hitting. Standout HS Catcher/Outfielder from Grayslake IL. . After a productive prep career, Chris received a baseball scholarship to St. Ambrose University and transferred to Illinois Wesleyan University where he was the Titans catcher for 3 years. After his playing career, Chris moved into the professional ranks as an Associate Scout with the Texas Rangers and will enter his 7th season with the Rangers in 2021. Coach Brown has coached all levels of HS travel and is a head coach for the MVP Elite Baseball program. During this time as a travel coach, Coach Brown has had more than 20 players move on to play collegiality.
John Devito Jr. Baseball Instructor
Baseball Instructor. Specializes in Hitting and Catching. 2011 Graduate of Mundelein HS. Continued education at Eastern Illinois University. Since Graduating, John has been developing players at the youth and HS Levels.
Seasonal Staff…. RC & John will be rejoining the staff in the fall of 2021.
RC Lichtenstein, Pitching Coach Montgomery Biscuits
R.C. has played, coached and managed in the minors. Lichtenstein pitched for the 1995 Merrillville Muddogs, managed the Dubois County Dragons of the Heartland League in 1996 and was a pitching coach in the Milwaukee Brewers organization from 1998 to 2002. Lichtenstein has been a part of the Tampa Bay Rays organization since 2005 and currently is the Montgomery Biscuits pitching coach.
John Devito, Baseball Instructor
His playing career spanned a 4 year career at the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1982-1987. John was a scholarship player as a 3rd baseman and Outfielder and then made the transition as a Catcher after his Freshman season. After his collegiate playing career John continued to play Semi-Pro Baseball with several top quality teams in the Chicago area up until the age of 30.
Presently, John is involved and has been a coach in the Mundelein Feeder Baseball program at the 13 and 14 yr old age level. John is available for hitting, infield/outfield, pitcher and catching lessons starting in November through April/Early-Mid May for private lessons.