Oswego East’s Dominic Battista was ready to go for a huge senior year.
The Illinois-Chicago recruit ended the offseason ranked third in the state by Prep Baseball Report for the 2026 class while generating some MLB draft buzz. Then came the first at-bat of the spring.
The senior center fielder promptly broke his hamate bone against Lincoln-Way Central.
“It was a little rough after going through the offseason stuff,” he said. “It definitely feels good to be back with the team.”
Battista, who has been back for a week, is making an immediate impact.
He went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases, a run and two RBIs, sparking the Wolves to a 7-5 Southwest Prairie Conference win Monday afternoon at crosstown rival Oswego.
Oklahoma State recruit Jacsen Tucker went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two steals for Oswego East (14-13, 6-7). Jax Wellehan also had two hits. Noah Deist threw a complete game for the win.
Brady Dunnett had a big game for Oswego (13-15, 3-8), going 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and also scoring twice. Caleb Miller added two hits.
Battista’s physical traits, meanwhile, are easy to spot. He generates easy power with a smooth left-handed swing. He’s a plus defender in center field. He’s also one of the fastest players.
The Wolves certainly enjoy having all of that back in the lineup. For Oswego East coach Brian Schaeffer, however, there’s more to it.
“I think it’s his work ethic and his drive,” Schaeffer said of Battista. “He’s never going to be one that’s down. He gets frustrated, but if he’s 0-for-3, he’s going to be the first one cheering in the dugout, the first one on and off the field sprinting.
“The kids see it and they emulate it. They see that leadership and know how to do it right.”
He also lengthens an already deep lineup. Deist leads off, followed by Battista and Tucker, with Devin Wheaton at cleanup. Battista and Tucker are two of the most dangerous hitters in the state.
All four are hitting over .400.
“Them all being in a line is just dangerous,” Schaeffer said. “You have to pitch to all of them essentially. It’s been really good to see them all together.”
Battista knows the batting order feeds off each other, which makes them so dangerous.
“I think we just rally around one bat after another,” Battista said. “It doesn’t matter where we are in the lineup. I feel like it’s always rolling. It definitely feels great to be back with the team.
“We’re in a good spot. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”
Oswego coach Joe Giarrante understands Battista and Tucker are going to get theirs. The key is keeping the rest of the team off the bases, which the Panthers struggled with Monday.
“You can’t avoid them, but you can avoid letting guys on base in front of them,” Giarrante said. “They’re good hitters and they’re going to put balls in play with solid contact.
“You can eliminate the damage they can do by keeping guys off base in front of them. That’s how you can work around him.”
It didn’t take long for MLB scouts to realize Battista was back. Several have made appearances in the last week, much like when Chicago White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz played for the Wolves.
“There’s chatter,” Schaeffer said of Battista. “The scouts are here. It’s not to the extent of when Noah was pitching, but he’s definitely garnered a lot of attention. I think we’ll continue to see that.”
Battista, though, is trying to remain present for his teammates.
“I’m not really too focused on that right now,” Battista said. “Whatever happens, happens.
“It’s a blessing for sure.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
