Kris Jenkins
On Base University Hitting Certified Expert
Current ABCA Member
Driveline Youth Hitting Certification
Coach Jenkins has been coaching/training youth aging from 6 years old to the collegiate level athletes for the past 16 years. As owner of K25 Baseball/Softball and Owner/Director of Top Tier West Baseball, Coach Jenkins has worked with many athletes in the west suburban Chicagoland area. Coach Jenkins also coached at the High School level at Plainfield South High School. Coach Jenkins continues to dedicate himself to giving back to our Baseball and Softball community. Being a member of the ABCA, (American Baseball Coaches Association) and Attendee at the Slugfest Conference in 2019 has also aided in Coach Jenkins’ progressive teachings. Coach Jenkins matches his knowledge with pure intense and positive energy to his players.
As an athlete, Coach Jenkins came up through the ranks of the Aurora Boys Baseball program and due to his contributions to the sport, he was later inducted into the Hall Of Fame. Coach Jenkins’ career blossomed while attending West Aurora High School where he was a 3 Sport Athlete competing in Baseball, Basketball, and Football. Coach Jenkins received All-Conference and All-Area honors in all 3 Sports. He was a sophomore on the 2000 State Championship Basketball Team. As a senior, Coach Jenkins was awarded Athlete of the Year for his contributions to West Aurora High School.
Coach Jenkins decided to join Junior College Powerhouse Triton College to play for legendary coach, Bob Symmonds. While at Triton College, Coach Jenkins was awarded All-Conference and received a scholarship to transfer to Illinois State University. During his time at Illinois State University, Coach Jenkins earned an invite to compete against the top players in the country in the Texas Collegiate Summer League. While in Texas, he led his team to a TCL Championship. As a senior, Jenkins earned All-Conference Honors for his play.
Nick Baldassano
Specialty: Infield/Hitting
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Coach "Baldy" serves as K25's Infield and Hitting Coordinator. Not only does he currently coach at Aurora University, he also coach's our Top Tier West Travel Teams at K25 as the Youth Director.
High School: Graduated from Plainfield East High School, where he was a 3 year varsity player.
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College: Coach Nick has continued is Baseball career at Aurora University. Nick has lead his team and has earned an NACC Scholar Athlete honor. This past season, Coach Nick appeared in 32 games as a 3rd baseman and in the middle infield.
Jared Liebelt
Specialty: Pitching/Arm Care
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Coach Jared serves K25 as the Pitching/Arm Development Coordinator.
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High School: I played baseball at West Aurora High School, 3 of my 4 years I was in the starting rotation on varsity. I was voted team captain and team MVP senior year and played well enough to earn a scholarship to play at Villanova University.
College Career: After one semester and a successful Fall season at Villanova I decided to transfer home and play my first two collegiate seasons at Waubonsee Community College. Under Head Coach Brad Unger I made significant strides in my development and earned All Conference honors twice as well as NJCAA pitcher of the week twice. Freshman year I was voted Region 4 tournament MVP which we won earning ourselves a spot in the NJCAA College World Series. After playing a summer with the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League and my two seasons at Waubonsee I earned a scholarship to Mississippi State University. My junior season at MSU was a struggle compared to the rest of my career, but the team still made it to the College World Series. Senior year I was able to improve upon my previous season, leading the SEC in appearances on the mound with 34. I finished the year with a 2.96 ERA, 2 wins, and 5 saves and appeared in the College World Series once again.
Pro Career: I was drafted in the 20th round of the MLB draft in 2019 by the Arizona Diamondbacks and played my first pro season with their Rookie League team the Missoula Osprey. I finished the season with a 1.69 ERA and 27 strikeouts over 21 innings.
Coaching and Education: I have had the privilege of training with multiple pitching philosophies and programs including the National Pitching Association while at Waubonsee, and Driveline Baseball while at MSU and remotely during my pro career. I have played under two esteemed college pitching coaches while at MSU in Gary Henderson and Scott Foxhall, and great pitching minds Brad Unger, Mark Sheehan, and Tom Kinney while at Waubonsee. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from MSU with a 4.0 GPA and as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.
Bonus Info: I was awarded the @PitchingNinja “College Pitch of the Year award” for 2019. In my 4 years of college baseball I have been to a College World Series 3 times.
Payton Lundberg
Specialty: Softball Pitching
Coach Payton serves as K25's Travel Softball Program Director and Pitching Coach/Instructor. Payton also coaches at the High School level at West Aurora High School, as the Pitching Coach for the Varsity team.
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Collegiate Career:
Coach Payton received a D1 Scholarship at the DePaul University. Coach Payton received All-Academic team 2 years in a row, as well as a NFCA Scholar-Athlete award.
2021 (Red Shirt)
2020 (Freshman)
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Did not see action on the field as the remainder of the season being canceled due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
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High School
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Graduated from West Aurora where she was a member of the National Honor Society and a four-time All-Conference Academic honoree.
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Won the Richard Dorsey Sportsmanship Award.
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A four-time varsity softball letter winner.
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A three-time All-Conference honoree.
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Set a school record with 19 strikeouts in one 7-inning game.
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Was fourth in the state for consecutive strikeouts (25).
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Named All-Area.
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Played for the Chicago Cheetahs under Coach Brian Bowman along with current DePaul freshman, Tori Meyer.
Coach Maurice Munoz
Specialty: Remote Strength & Speed Training
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Coach "Mj" serves as K25's head of Remote Training Strength Training, providing full scale programs to any Baseball and Softball Player looking to enhance their performance. Coach Mj's focus is on our athletes strength, speed, explosiveness, mobility, and, nutrition.
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College: Coach "Mj" spent his playing days with University of Aurora as a middle infielder. He Graduated with a Masters Degree in Exercise Science. During that time, he served as a Hitting and Infield instructor for K25 as well as a Coach for Top Tier West. As a part of his pursuit for a Master's Degree, Coach Mj served as an intern at Acceleration Sports Performance in Naperville, IL. Once completing his internship, he quickly rose to head Strength and Performance Coach here at K25, utilizing a combination his Baseball playing and Coaching along with his Education to better serve our athletes. Due to his vigorous desire to be the absolute best servant to his clients, Coach Mj, took on an additional internship role with Florida Atlantic University working with a multitude of Sports in the Strength Department. Coach Mj also, earned a USAW Level 1 Certification.
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Currently: Coach Mj is currently working directly with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks Baseball Program, serving in their Strength and Performance Department.
Abby Meeks
Specialty: Hitting/Catching/Pitching
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SENIOR (2023)
Appeared in 40 games making 13 starts … hit .264 on the season with 14 hits, six doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI with six walks … tallied three multi-hit games and six multi-RBI games … recorded a five-game hitting and reached base streaks … hit her first career home run against Delaware (2/24) along with two RBI … went 2-for-3 at bat with two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored … went yard for the second time this season in the win over Lipscomb (3/10) … recorded three RBI on a bases clearing double against Ohio State (4/2).
JUNIOR (2022)
Played in 36 games and started in one game for the Hoosiers in the 2022 season … 10 runs scored, one hit and three stolen bases on the season
SOPHOMORE YEAR (2021)
• Academic All-Big Ten
29 appearances and three starts on the season … five hits on the season … two hits in Hoosiers win against Michigan State (5/1).
FRESHMAN YEAR (2020)
Played in three games … reached base for the first time in an IU uniform on a walk on against Syracuse (2/16).
PREP/PERSONAL
In her senior season, earned All-Conference Unanimous Selection, All-Area, DVC Player of the Year and Naperville Sun Player of the Year honors … high school teammate of fellow Indiana Softball classmate Chloe Steinhaus … batted .448 with 39 hits and a conference-leading nine home runs in her junior season … went .482 at the plate with 54 hits, four home runs and on-base percentage of .535 during her sophomore year … off the field, Meeks was a three-time recipient of the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and a three-time member of the All-Academic conference squad.
Coach Sophia Delgado
Specialty: Hitting/Fielding
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High School Experience:
I was a 4-year varsity starter at West Aurora High School. I played from 2016-2019 at West. At this time in my career, I was playing a lot of middle infield and also getting some time behind the plate as a catcher. I was honored to be Team Captain my Junior and Senior year. My sophomore year and senior year, I was named Upstate 8 All-Conference.
College Experience:
I played NAIA Softball at St. Ambrose University (Davenport, IA) for 3 years. I loved the experience I had with my teammates and playing the game. I was fortunate to see the field quite a bit as a key part of the defense. Mostly, I played second base with a few innings played at shortstop. SAU has a very strong softball program where we stood in the top 5 teams within the CCAC.
Coaching Experience:
Every year at SAU, we held a camp where kids of all ages, including incoming recruits, would attend. Players would run the camps, teaching skills and running drills, with assistance from coaches. I have been coaching travel softball and doing private lessons for a year now. I specialize mostly in defensive skills along with hitting and catching abilities.
Ricky Castro
Specialty: Pitching & Strength Training
2023 (Joliet Slammers): After pitching an entire collegiate season, Ricky finds himself playing professional baseball for the Joliet Slammers. His stuff was impressive in Joliet where he hit the ground running throwing 79 innings with 85 strikeouts after joining the team midway through the season. In his first professional start, he was perfect through 6 innings before the first runner reached base on a bunt in the 7th. His ballot for Rookie of The Year fell just short to an outfielder from Evansville but he will be back next season to pick up where he left off.
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2023 (Tulane University): Saturday starting pitcher the entire season punching out 86 batters over 86 innings. 9 of these innings come from a complete game shutout in late April against #14 ranked Eastern Carolina. Ricky started games both Tuesday and Saturday throughout the week of the AAC tournament. Tulane made the Championship game on Sunday against 1st seed East Carolina where Tulane turned to Ricky Castro to close the game and record the save the day despite having a 97-pitch outing the day prior which sent the team to the postseason in the Baton Rouge Regional. This campaign allowed him to be named a member of the 2nd All Conference Team. He is currently finishing up his Master of Science degree in Sports Studies.
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2022 (Purdue): Was named to the Academic All-Big Ten. Threw 36.1 innings his senior season with the highlights graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology.
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2021 (Purdue): Was a member of the Academic All-Big Ten team… Pitched in 12 games, all in relief… Made a relief appearance in each of the first 11 weekends, including two in the four-game series at Minnesota… Struck out a career-high eight over 3 1/3 innings of two-run relief in the series opener at Maryland… Earned his first win as a Boilermaker with two innings of one-hit relief in the April 19 victory at Illinois that capped Purdue’s 4-0 weekend in Champaign… Retired nine of 11 batters faced over three innings of scoreless one-hit relief in the series finale at Indiana… Impressed in the game 2 win at Minnesota, working 3 1/3 innings of two-hit relief… Pitched a season-high 3 2/3 innings of two-run relief in game 3 of the Michigan Series… Surrendered only three extra-base hits while racking up 23 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings in true road games… Escaped a bases-loaded jam to strand three inherited runners in the win vs. Iowa.
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2020 (Purdue): Was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team… Pitched in three games, all in relief… Worked 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball Saturday at Western Kentucky in his longest and most effective outing touching his first 95mph on the gun…Struck out the only batter he faced in the midweek game at Indiana, stranding a pair of inherited runners…Made his team debut on Sunday of the season-opening weekend vs. Hofstra.
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2019 (Parkland College): Pitched his first collegiate season at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois…Appeared in 13 games, recording a 2.84 ERA and 57 strikeouts vs. 21 walks in 44 1/3 innings…Made six starts, finishing the season with three wins and three saves… Helped lead Parkland to 38 wins and the Mid-West Athletic Conference title… Struck out eight over four innings at Northeastern Oklahoma Enid and nine over five innings at Lewis & Clark… Names to the NJCAA All-Academic third team… Pitched at Alexander Field in a Purdue-Parkland fall exhibition game in October 2018, striking out four over two innings of one-hit relief.
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High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Robin Renner at Neuqua Valley High School in suburban Chicago… Played three years of varsity after helping Neuqua reach the freshman state championship game as a third baseman and pitcher… Played for the Midwest Team at USA Baseball’s identification series in Cary, North Carolina… Posted a 2.40 ERA as a starting pitcher his senior season, helping Neuqua win a third straight IHSA regional title… Led to Neuqua to consecutive sectional titles as a sophomore and junior… Was the winning pitcher in the regional semifinal game as a sophomore on varsity…Homered in the freshman state title game.
Coach Nata
Specialty: Catching & Hitting
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Coach Nata serves K25 as our Catching Specialist and Hitting Coach. Coach Nata handles the responsibility of Training all catchers from ages 8 to 18.
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Catching/Hitting Instructor Rapsodo Certified Hitting Instructor, USA Baseball Certification Coach Nata has been working with youth to high school athletes for many years. He has worked with many athletes in the North suburban Chicagoland area in catching and hitting. As an athlete, Coach Nata attended St. Patrick High school and was a 3 year varsity starter. In his final year, was named an ESCC All-conference player. In College, Coach Nata attended powerhouse Adrian College, a top 25 Division 3 program.
Angel Sanchez
Specialty: Pitching & Hitting
Coach Angel serves as K25's Pitching & Hitting Coach. Coach Angel is integral asset in our Velo Factory Program.
Pitching Instructor I started playing at 8 years old, and truly connected my passion for the game in high school. Once I got to Waubonsee Community College, I paired that passion with an urge to be great. While there, I was first team all area, first team all conference, first team all American, went to the National Title and placed, and I received pitcher of the year, setting the record for the most strike outs in a single game. I went on to play at Judson University where I unfortunately obtained a knee injury that set my playing back. I worked through it and finished my two years at Judson strong. I did receive first team all area, all conference, and all American.
Brandon McPherson
Specialty: Pitching & Hitting
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High School: Brandon played and excelled in Football and Baseball at Marmion Academy from 2014 to 2018. During is time at Marmion, Brandon was very well awarded for his efforts. He became the 2 time Daily Herald All-Area team honorary captain both in 2017 & '18, he was also 2 time Beacon Player of the Year in 2017 & '18, and became an All-State player in both 2017 & '18.
College: Lead his team as a Pitcher for Wabash Valley College 2018-2019.
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In 2019-2023, Brandon started at Northern Illinois University where he started all 13 games that he appeared in. He lead his team in strikeouts with 43 in 45 innings pitched. Due to his efforts off the field, Brandon was awarded with All-Mac Academics.
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Currently: Brandon is playing professionally as a Starting Pitcher for Billings Mustangs in the Pioneer League. He earned Pioneer League pitcher of the week.
Jose Camacho
Specialty: Infield/ Hitting
High School: I attended Oswego High school from 2009-2013. During my time at school I played baseball four year (two years as the starting catcher on varsity). After my junior season I was honor to receive the offensive player of the year award. After finishing my senior season, I received an opportunity to continue my baseball career at the collegian level at Waubonsee community college.
College: I decided to start off my collegian career by going the juco route which I believe is a great way to develop once skills in order to perform to your highest potential when given the opportunity to play at a bigger stage. I attend Waubonsee community college from 2013-2015. During my first year at Waubonsee I was the starting third base on a team that made a trip down to Tyler, Texas to participate the junior college world series; Not only that but I was fortunate enough to be part of a team that place 4th in the nation that year. During my sophomore season I once again earned the starting position at third base. After my sophomore season ended I was honor to receive the award (Male Athlete of the Year). But also, I was grateful to receive a scholarship to further my baseball career while playing division I baseball at Texas Southern University. During my two year at Texas Southern I was able to earn the starting position at third base and named team captain both of my years there. As well as been part of two conference championships and earning the right to participle in back to back division I regionals.
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Professional: Currently Coach Camacho is playing in the LMB for Pericos de Puebla.
Education: While at Waubonsee Community College I received an associate’s degree in Applied Science in Automotive Technology. In the other hand I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administrations Management from Texas Southern University.
Derek Drew
Speed Coach
Track & Field Coach A native of Aurora, Illinois, Derek Drew is a highly respected track and field coach with a deep passion for developing elite athletes. He attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 2013 to 2016, where he earned 12 All-Ohio Valley Conference honors. In his senior year, Drew captured the conference titles in both the 4x400-meter relay and the 400-meter hurdles and qualified for the 2016 NCAA West Region in the 400 hurdles.
Drew’s coaching journey has included work with some of the sport’s top athletes. As an assistant to coaches Kareem Jackson and Brenton Emanuel, Drew played an integral role in helping athletes break records, win championships, and achieve national recognition.
Coaching Highlights at the University of Wisconsin (2016-2017):
• Lorenzo Larry: Finished third in the 60 meters at the Big Ten Indoor Championships with a time of 6.69, the third-fastest in school history.
• Corbin Ellis: Set the school record in the 600 meters at the Big Ten Championships, placing fifth. • Brenna Detra:
Achieved second place in the 800 meters at the Big Ten Championships with a personal best of 2:06.47 (fifth in school history).
• Finished third in the 400-meter hurdles at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships and qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
• Became a three-time All-American and earned Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2017. • Ebony McClendon: Broke multiple school records in the 60 meters and 200 meters, qualifying for the NCAA West Preliminary Round.
• Chinne Okoronkwo: Excelled in the triple jump, ranking second indoors and third outdoors in school history, and qualified twice for the NCAA West Preliminary Round.
Coaching Successes at Illinois State University (2017-2018):
• Team Achievements:
Helped guide Illinois State to a sweep of the men’s and women’s MVC Indoor Championships and to victory in the women’s MVC Outdoor Championship in 2017. •
Anderson Devonish: Crowned the 2018 MVC Outdoor 200-meter Champion, setting an ISU school record, Gibson Track & Field Complex facility record, and MVC Championship meet record with a time of 20.55. Devonish also anchored the 4x400-meter relay team that won the MVC title in 3:08.16 and earned All-Conference honors in the 100 meters and 4x100-meter relay. He leaves ISU as a 13-time MVC Champion and holds four school records.
Jay McConico: Earned Second-Team All-American honors in the 60-meter hurdles at the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships, finishing 11th with a time of 7.84. He also broke ISU’s school record in the event, setting an MVC meet record of 7.64, and earned Second-Team All-American status in the 110-meter hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Kentre Patterson: Earned Second-Team All-American honors in the 60-meter hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, finishing 15th. His personal best of 7.75 at the MVC Championships ranks second all-time in ISU history, and he consistently placed in the top three in regular-season meets. Drew’s coaching expertise spans sprints, hurdles, relays, and jumps, contributing to record-breaking performances and national qualifications. His commitment to athlete development and mentorship extends beyond the track, creating a lasting impact on both the athletic and academic success of his athletes.
• D’Jenne Egharevba: MVC Champion in the 200-meter dash at the 2017 Indoor Championships and earned multiple All-MVC honors during the indoor and outdoor seasons.
• Derrius Rodgers: Broke the 60-meter dash school record (6.64 seconds), winning the MVC Championship and earning Second-Team All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
• Amanda McClain: Defended her MVC title in the 400-meter dash during the outdoor season and secured gold at the MVC Indoor Championships. • Demetria Anderson: Tied a 23-year-old school record in the 60-meter hurdles and shattered a 30-year-old record in the 100-meter hurdles.
Drew’s coaching expertise spans sprints, hurdles, relays, and jumps, contributing to record-breaking performances and national qualifications. His commitment to athlete development and mentorship extends beyond the track, creating a lasting impact on both the athletic and academic success of his athletes.