Baseball: Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE LAKE DIVISIONLAKE ZURICH BEARSCoach: Chuck Gandolfi (2nd season)
Last year: 19-13
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional semifinals to Lake Forest, 6-5.
Key players lost: OF Nick Jones (Indiana), IF Joey Holtz (Illinois Weslyan), C Colton Wagner (Illinois State), Dan Krueger
Key players returning: P Sam Zoibi, 2B Steven Elrod, P/IF/OF Trevor Staley, Lucas Ehrhardt, Nick Sanders
Key newcomers: P/SS Tyler Peterson, OF Spencer Wright, 3B Sam Warady, P DJ Postilion
Outlook: Lake Zurich nearly reached the 20-win plateau last year in what was to be a learning season. Head coach Chuck Gandolfi had just taken over the program. "It was a very successful year because our team improved and last year's seniors were great teammates," Gandolfi said. "Last year's team hopefully set the base for this season's successes and our (players) have really bought into what we want to accomplish as a total program." The Bears probably could have surpassed 20 wins but Gandolfi says that the Bears weren't able to get over the hump in several close losses. More pitching depth could help in those situations this year. "We are a deeper team on the mound and should be solid defensively," Gandolfi said. "The kids are really focused on improving and we could be a very tough team to beat as we gain experience." The Bears return three all-conference players in pitchers Sam Zoibi and Trevor Staley as well as second baseman Steven Elrod.
LIBERTYVILLE WILDCATSCoach: Jim Schurr (13th season)
Last year: 33-6, 11-1 NSC Lake
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in sectional championship to Mundelein, 8-1.
Key players lost: C Evan Skoug (TCU), P Jeff Barton (Illinois State)
Key players returning: SS Jimmy Govern, sr., OF Riley Lees, jr., 1B Mitchell Townsend, sr., 2B Jake Vogt, sr., OF Nick Rossett, sr., OF Sean Ferraro, sr., C Ryan Jackson, sr., P/DH/1B/OF Ben Manski, sr., P/1B Andrew Plunkett, sr., P Jack Shanahan, sr.
Key newcomers: P Ben Kimpler, jr.
Outlook: Despite losing one of its top players to injury for a majority of the season, Libertyville put together one of its best runs in program history last year. "We finished with our second-best record ever," Libertyville coach Jim Schurr said. "We feel good about what we did. And to think that we did it with one of our best players on the shelf." Senior Mitch Townsend is back now, and healthy. He was 4-1 on the mound last season for the Wildcats when he was forced to hit the brakes due to injury. Townsend wound up having Tommy John surgery. "It hurt for him to pitch, and to play first, and even to hit sometimes," Schurr said of Townsend. "That's our four-hitter being taken out of the lineup. And you think about how much better (top hitter) Evan Skoug (now at TCU) would have been with Mitch right next to him in the lineup. It's nice that Mitch is back with us now." The Wildcats return plenty of other key players from a team that won the North Suburban Conference title and advanced to the sectional championship. "With a strong junior class mixing in with a seasoned senior class, we should be strong," Schurr said. "Pitching and defense are the keys to our success this year."
MUNDELEIN MUSTANGSCoach: Todd Parola (21st season)
Last year: 36-3, 10-2 NSC Lake
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in supersectional to Prairie Ridge, 9-6.
Key players lost: P Adam Turner, DH Luke Adams, C Logan Reckert (Wisconsin-Oshkosh), SS Derek Parola (Illinois State), P/IF Mike Metz, 1B Ryan Hollander (Wisconsin-Parkside), OF JT Michalski, P Tyler Kozaritz (Carroll College), P Nick Hutten (Rockford College), P Dillon O'Donoghue
Key players returning: 3B Luke Peterson, sr., IF Wes Farmer, sr., P/1B Nick Brune, sr., CF Sam Osisek, sr., P/OF Reeses Dolan, jr.
Key newcomers: C Reed Rubio, jr., IF Carter Naughton, sr., OF/DH Cooper Michalski, sr., IF/OF Nick Stricker, soph., P Brendan Murphy, soph.
Outlook: For a program that consistently puts together 20-win seasons, Mundelein hit a new high last season with its 36 wins. That was a school record for the Mustangs, who placed second in the North Suburban Lake Division before advancing all the way to the supersectional. Gone from that team are five players who are now playing in college, including star shortstop Derek Parola. He's at Illinois State. That leaves behind a talented but green group. "We have a great senior group with great attitudes and extremely hard workers," Mundelein coach Todd Parola said. "We'll have to grow up quickly on the mound this season. We have some young, talented pitchers, but lack varsity experience." The Mustangs boast some good experience in the infield in third baseman Luke Peterson and middle infielder Wes Farmer. Peterson is also one of the best returning hitters. He drove in 36 runs last season while maintaining a .411 batting average.
STEVENSON PATRIOTSCoach: Paul Mazzuca (8th season)
Last year: 14-16, 5-7 NSC Lake
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional semifinals to Glenbrook South, 2-0.
Key players lost: P Mitchell Goll (Illinois Wesleyan), C Joey Morris, IF Sam Harris, IF Mike Banakis
Key players returning: 3B Willie Bourbon, sr., OF Jimmy Marchese, sr.
Key newcomers: OF Dylan Moley, jr., OF Tyler Vincent, jr., OF Connor Crawley, jr., IF Pat Loeffler, jr., IF Jack Trotter, jr., P Tyler Pauly, jr., P Jusin Kopech, jr., P Justin Stark, jr., P Logan Lavelle, jr., P Bronson Litcher, jr., C Robert McGaha, jr., C Christian Dutler, jr.
Outlook: It was an unusual season for Stevenson last year, one of the few losing seasons in program history. Head coach Paul Mazzuca isn't sugar-coating his team's struggles. "We're looking to bounce back from a miserable 2014 campaign," Mazzuca said. "We were bitten by the injury bug last year, so our goal is to stay healthy and compete in a very tough North Suburban Conference." The Patriots should be strong at the plate with the return of senior third baseman Willie Bourbon and senior outfielder Jimmy Marchese, who missed last season due to injury. But pitching is a huge question mark. "We look to have a team that can hit a little bit, but we are young where it matters…the mound," Mazzuca said. "We only have six seniors on the squad so we are asking quite a bit from the juniors to step up and compete."
WARREN BLUE DEVILSCoach: Clint Smothers (9th season)
Last year: 23-13-1
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional championship to Mundelein, 7-1.
Key players lost: OF Ben Dinter (CLC), P Wes Gordon (CLC), SS Dom Cuavas (CLC), OF Josh Tharp (Judson), P Ryan Cain (Augsburg)
Key players returning: P Andrew Hill, SS Matt Burch, OF Chris Mathieu, 3B Jake Falish, P Ryan Davila, Brad Zahn
Key newcomers: P Sam LaMotte
Outlook: Having already committed to Division I Bradley, Andrew Hill gives Warren a headliner for an ace. "Andrew Hill should be able to compete with most of the No. 1 pitchers this year in our conference games," Warren coach Clint Smothers said. Three other Blue Devils are also college-bound next year. Third baseman Jake Falsih will be playing at Marian, shortstop Matt Burch will be at Arkansas and outfielder Chris Mathieu is headed to Illinois-Springfield. "Not only do we have great players, but we have great kids who will compete for starting positions daily," Smothers said. "Our lineups could be different day in and day out, which in turn should make us be able to compete this year." The Blue Devils are anxious to see how pitcher Sam LaMotte fairs at the varsity level this season. He was 8-0 on the mound for the sophomore team last year.
NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE PRAIRIE DIVISIONANTIOCH SEQUOITSCoach: Paul Petty (24th season)
Last year: 11-22, 5-7 NSC Prairie
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional semifinals to Grayslake Central, 11-0.
Key players lost: C Adam Harvey (Cornerstone), Sam Smithson
Key players returning: OF Collin Prather, IF Travis Slywka, C/OF Dominic Olesak, sr., IF/P Ben Gutke, soph., P/OF Justin Stender, sr.
Key newcomers: OF Austin Marsigio, jr., IF Connor Geidner, soph., IF John Petty, fr., IF Colin Runyard, jr., IF Tyler Glassman, jr., IF/P John Neville, jr., IF/P Derek Snellman, jr., OF John Horton, jr., P Mike McCue, jr., P/OF Michael Mentone, soph.
Outlook: With three sophomores and a freshman on the roster, Antioch is experiencing a youth movement. "We're going through some growing pains," Antioch coach Paul Petty said. "We are young. We have good talent on all levels and due to filling some roster needs, we had to bring up three sophomores and a freshman. Trying to predict how a team is going to perform is sometimes difficult when they are young and lacking varsity experience. Experience usually wins out, but you never know how young players are going to do or how quickly they'll rise to the occasion." Infielders Connor Geidner and John Petty are a sophomore and freshman respectively. Michael Mentone and Ben Gutke are both sophomore pitchers. They'll all be mentored by the Sequoits' most experienced players, seniors Colin Prather and Travis Slywka. Both Prather and Slywka were among Antioch's top hitters last season, finishing with batting averages around .400 and combining for 61 hits and nearly 50 RBI.
LAKES EAGLESCoach: Ray Gialo (5th season)
Last year: 19-13, 9-3 NSC Prairie
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional semifinals to Johnsburg, 3-0.
Key players lost: OF/1B Joe Sisk (Carthage), P Vince Rotunno (Augustana), C Joe Dahlke (Triton)
Key players returning: P Chase Slota, sr., P Jeremy Mackey, sr., P Ben Haviland, sr., 2B/SS Jutin Blasinski, sr., OF/1B Bryan Gross, sr., SS/P Billy Morris, sr., OF Zach Meyer, sr., OF Matt Nordlund, sr., C/3B Cody Nuxoll, sr.
Key newcomers: P/SS Ben Milewski, jr., OF Tyler Leon, jr., 2B/3B Max Swiatek, jr.
Outlook: Experience and leadership shouldn't be a problem for Lakes. The Eagles return 16 seniors. "Many of them saw significant varsity playing time last year as juniors," Lakes coach Ray Gialo said. "We are hoping that having an experienced team will allow us to get out of the gates quickly." Senior pitchers Chase Slota, Jeremy Mackey and Ben Haviland will lead the way on the mound. They combined for 11 wins and more than 80 strikeouts last season. Slota was 6-2 with a 1.87 earned run average, Mackey was 3-1 with a 2.04 ERA and Haviland was 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA. Meanwhile, senior infielders Justin Blasinski and Bryan Gross were among the leading hitters for the Eagles last year. Gross and Slota were all-conference selections while Blasinski was an honorable mention honoree. Slota, along with Billy Morris, a pitcher and shortstop, have been on the varsity for three years. "Three holes that will need to be filled after graduating starters are catcher, third base and first base," Gialo said. "We are working hard to blend our seniors and juniors together."
GRANT BULLDOGSCoach: Dave Behm (6th season)
Last year: 25-9, 10-2 NSC Prairie
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional championship to Prairie Ridge, 1-0.
Key players lost: C Simeon Lucas (Cleveland Indians), P/C/IF Tino Torres (CLC), P/OF Ryan Noda (Cincinnati), SS Will Zitkus, OF Ryan Mason (Knox), P/IF Doug Murphey (Aurora), IF Pete Perales (Edgewood)
Key players returning: P/IF Eddie Kusiak, sr., C/IF Nick Heidenthal, sr., P Andrew Stone, sr., IF Matt Mason, jr., OF Spencer Lhotka, jr., P Chad Baron, sr.
Key newcomers: P/OF Michael Bengston, jr., IF Ben Kusiak, soph., P/OF Matt Spooner, jr., P Sam Fernandez, soph., IF Ricky Allen, soph., IF James Pendley, jr., P/IF Bryan Libby, jr.
Outlook: The talent keeps rolling in at Grant, which is just three years removed from its third-place state finish and has put together two 25-win seasons in the last three years. "We are in a similar situation as last year at this point," Grant coach Dave Behm said. "We've lost a lot of talent to graduation but return key contributors and are looking at the junior class and sophomores to play big roles. We have three of our four infielders coming back and three of our top five pitchers." The Bulldogs lost five players who are now playing in college, as well as catcher Simeon Lucas, who got drafted by the Cleveland Indians. But plenty of talent remains. The infield is highlighted by returners Nick Heidenthal, Matt Mason and Eddie Kusiak. They'll help make defense a strength for Grant again this season. Meanwhile, pitcher Andrew Stone returns after winning nine games on the mound last season. Eddie Kusiak and Chad Baron also got plenty of innings last year. Behm is counting on contributions from three sophomores, including pitcher Sam Fernandez and infielders Ricky Allen and Ben Kusiak. Ben Kusiak is the younger brother of Eddie, who also plays in the infield when he's not pitching.
ROUND LAKE PANTHERSCoach: Ed Adamson (7th season)
Last year: 7-22, 3-9 NSC Prairie
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional quarterfinals to Grayslake North, 6-0.
Key players lost: P/SS Ryan Newman (MSOE), OF Jalen Young (Elmhurst), P/C John Ridley
Key players returning: P/OF Tyler Sanchez, sr., 2B/SS Vinnie Milianti, sr., C/3B Joe Theobald, sr., OF Yoshio Alvarez, sr.
Key newcomers: P Spencer Daniels, jr., 2B Nick Berry, jr., IF Nathan Gonzales, sr., OF Ben Graff, jr.
Outlook: Round Lake lost two players to graduation that are now playing in college in shortstop/pitcher Ryan Newman and outfielder Jalen Young. Also gone is John Ridley, one of the best pitchers in recent Round Lake history. Now, it's rebuilding time. "We will be young and inexperienced," Round Lake coach Ed Adamson said. "We have some holes to fill, but I have a bunch of players who are determined to get better and compete. So far this spring, our focus has been very good. We are working on building numbers and developing as many freshmen and sophomores into pitchers as possible." Adamson is also focusing on several returners for help. Vinnie Milianti, Tyler Sanchez, Yoshio Alvarez and Joe Theobald all saw some time in the lineup last season. "We will be relying on them for leadership until some of the other athletes emerge," Adamson said. "We are not going to have (pitchers like Newman and Ridley) who could strike out a ton of batters, so we will need to make plays behind our pitchers. We are focusing on manufacturing runs but this can be done only if we play defense and keep games close."
VERNON HILLS COUGARSCoach: Jay Czarnecki (15th season)
Last year: 24-12, 8-4 NSC Prairie
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in sectional semifinals to Gordon Tech, 9-8.
Key players lost: SS Jake Boye, P/CF Pat Crowley, LF Jacob Feece, C Jordan Freibrun, 2B John Goehrke, P Nick Newman (St. Cloud State)
Key players returning: C/1B Joey Marras, sr., P Ben Geren, sr., 1B/OF Tommy Earhart, jr., IF Connor McNamara, jr., OF Matt Paszko, jr.
Key newcomers: DH/1B Jack Duffley, sr., OF/P Nick Conrad, sr., P/3B Sam Perlin, jr., Nick Marras, soph., CF Brennan Reback, soph., P Andrew Smith, soph., SS Drew Winegardner, soph., Kyle Hull, soph.
Outlook: It will be an unusual season for Vernon Hills, which is coming off of 24 wins and a spot in the sectionals. "This is the first time in several years that we can't hand the ball to someone what has sustained varsity success (on the mound) in the previous year," Vernon Hills coach Jay Czarnecki said. "That will make things interesting but we are excited about our potential. We are going to have to play through some hurdles, but with a continued positive attitude and work ethic, we think we can be successful." The young Cougars return only two pitchers with varsity experience, Ben Geren and Brian Schrimmer. However, Schrimmer will be unavailable this season due to an injury that required surgery. "We expect that there will be a lot of opportunities given to different players before the rotation is solidified," Czarnecki said of the Cougars' pitching situation. Defensively, Vernon Hills graduated its top infielders, but Joey Marras will be back behind the plate. Connor McNamara, who played third base last season, has been moved over into the middle infield. Tommy Earhart, an infielder or outfielder, could also end up in the middle infield. Earhart and McNamara are also two of the best hitters on the team.
WAUCONDA BULLDOGSCoach: Bill Sliker (13th season)
Last year: 10-20, 7-5 NSC Prairie
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional semifinals to Ridgewood, 3-2.
Key players lost: P/1B Tyler Meyer, P/OF Roy Nelson, C Mitchell Sharkey, OF Joe Lovelle, OF Brian Malisheski
Key players returning: P/2B Collin Shrader, P/SS Jake Grobelny, OF Josh Anderson, P/OF Kyle Harmon, P/OF Kevin Malisheski, OF Adam Holtz, 2B Jeff Moorhead, C/3B Joe Schear, OF Drake Tylka, C Luke Weller, P/1B Jack Weller
Key newcomers: C Pierson Gibis, P/2B Dylan Latiolias, P/3B Korey Soetaert, OF Greg LePage, P/SS Jacob Bicknase, P/C Brian McFarlin, P/3B Trevor Sefcik, P/1B Drake Berman, P/1B James Widmer
Outlook: Of the 11 players returning for Wauconda, nearly half are pitchers. And seven of the Bulldogs' top newcomers are also pitchers. "We have a deep pitching staff," Wauconda coach Bill Sliker said. "We have some varsity game experience, and some of our pitchers just need a chance to prove themselves in games." Collin Shrader, Jake Grobelny, Kyle Harmon, Kevin Maliskeski and Jack Weller are all pitchers who got experience last year. The Bulldogs, however, struggled last season and finished with only 10 wins. But they experienced success over the summer. "The team is working very hard on defense and hitting," Sliker said. "We are looking to be a very competitive team in and out of conference. We performed well over the summer and look to carry over some of that success."
FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE FOX DIVISIONGRAYSLAKE CENTRAL RAMSCoach: Troy Whalen (13th season)
Last year: 29-12
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in the state semifinals to Sacred Heart Griffin, 3-2.
Key players lost: SS Freddie Landers (CLC), CF Matt Loeffl (Augustana), P Russ Lundius (Wisconsin-Platteville), OF Justin Dooley (Rose-Hulman), 1B Kyle Clark, OF Pat Burba
Key players returning: SS Jay Hoffman, sr., C Sam Nozicka, jr., IF Anthony Fitzgerald, sr., P Justin Guryn, sr., P David Llorens, sr.
Key newcomers: OF Greg Gauger, sr., IF Ethan LaBeck, jr., P/IF Sam Ruhlmann, jr., IF Alex Ruiz, sr., P/OF Ben Fitzgerald, soph., OF Devin Moran, sr., 1B Scott Christian, sr., 1B Ryan Casper, jr., P Griff Edwards, jr., OF Jeff Terronez, sr., OF John Stopka, sr., P Brett Whalen, jr., IF Griff Shepley, sr.
Outlook: The motto of the Grayslake Central baseball team, which has been to three state finals over the last six years, is "tradition never graduates." Talent graduates, though. And the Rams will be missing four players from last year's fourth-place team who are now playing in college. Three of them, Matt Loeffl, Freddie Landers and Kyle Clark, were three-year starters. "Ram fans may need a scorecard as we welcome several new faces on the varsity roster," Grayslake Central coach Troy Whalen said. "Several spots are open and that has created competitive practices so far." A few spots look just like they did last year. Lefty pitchers Justin Guryn and David Llorens combined for 17 wins last season and will be working again with returning catcher Sam Nozicka. Jay Hoffman, a two-year starter, will be back at shortstop. "Without a doubt, any coach feels very good when you return your top pitchers and catcher," Whalen said. "High school baseball is about pitching so we certainly have a foundation. But at the same time, we've got to score runs. It will take some relative unknown kids to have some special seasons. You don't make deep runs in the postseason without seniors being special. We are carrying 13 seniors who are now in their fourth year in the program. They know what is expected and for the most part, they are hungry for playing time."
GRAYSLAKE NORTHCoach: Andy Strahan (9th season)
Last year: 17-18, 7-12 FVC Fox
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional semifinals to Grant, 6-1.
Key players lost: OF/P Alex Alvarez, P/SS Ryan Gross, OF/P Andrew Mikusa, P Sean McHugh, C/OF Austyn Ruback, RF JP Zalewski
Key players returning: CF Bobby Krebs, jr., SS Merrick Gentile, jr., P/1B Dom DiProva, sr., OF George Deligiannis, sr., P/IF Jack Barreca, sr., P/OF Kyle Baker, sr., IF Drake Isaacs, sr., P Andrew Merki, sr., P Jeff Ritter, sr.
Key newcomers: P Christian Campos, jr., C Alex Carrillo, jr., IF Jon Cesario, jr., IF Jake Damore, jr., P/OF Stefan Davis, jr., P Ryan Detlefsen, jr., P/IF Tyler Elias, jr., P/OF Devin Gaines, OF Jake Pinkley, jr., P/IF Patrick Schaefer, soph., OF Jake Smith, jr., P/IF Brendan Takovic, jr., C Danny Yates, soph., OF Griffin Zaba, jr.
Outlook: To say that Grayslake North is young and inexperienced is a bit of an understatement. The only two players returning who were full-timers in the lineup last year are Merrick Gentile at shortstop and Bobby Krebs in centerfield. They are both juniors. Gentile has been a starter since his freshman year and Krebs started last year as a sophomore. "We don't have much experience returning in the program," Grayslake North coach Andy Strahan said. "Merrick and Bobby are both incredibly gifted athletes who play multiple sports for Grayslake North. We are looking for those two guys to really step up and lead a relatively young team." George Deligiannis got some experience last year in left field and Dom DiProva should have been back as a pitcher and infielder. But DiProva is out for the season with an injury. Picking up the slack on the mound will be sophomore Patrick Schaefer, who is currently slotted as the Knights' No. 1 pitcher. Jack Barreca, who got innings last year, Tyler Elias, Brendan Taskovic and Stefan Davis will also be competing for starts. "It will be interesting to see who steps up on the mound," Strahan said. "Every year, we have a couple kids that attack the off-season and make huge improvements. I'm excited to see who that will be this year."
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCECARMEL CORSAIRSCoach: Dann Giesey (3rd season)
Last year: 24-10-1, 11-5 ESCC
Last year's state tournament advancement: Lost in regional semifinals to Deerfield, 2-1.
Key players lost: Ian Kristan (Bradley), Quentin Sefcik (Illinois), Matt Skarzynski (Wisconsin-Parkside), Bryan Stanislawski (Dominican)
Key players returning: C/2B Cooper Johnson, jr., CF/P Joe Santoro, jr., P Garrett McClellan, sr., P Skylar Williams, sr., P Jonas Lehman, sr.
Key newcomers: OF Austin Knauer, sr., SS Matt Collins, jr., P/1B Connor Pett, jr., P/RF Eddie Pietschmann, soph., C/OF Dylan Van Erden, jr.
Outlook: With three sophomores in the lineup last year, Carmel was extremely young. Now, the Corsairs are older, but still a bit young. Six juniors will start for Carmel. "We have a lot to prove to ourselves, but we will be successful if our younger players settle into their roles and play as well as they did as sophomores," Carmel coach Dann Giesey said. "You typically want your seniors to provide leadership and having so many young players will be the challenge for us. They are not only being asked to be good baseball players, they are being asked to lead a team a year earlier than most. How quickly they assume those roles and continue their own success on the field will determine our success." Junior pitcher Joe Santoro and junior catcher Cooper Johnson will lead the way for the Corsairs. Johnson, who recently committed to Mississippi, was an all-ESCC selection at second base last year but moves back to his natural position. Santoro is ambidextrous and will pitch as both a left-hander and a right-hander. Eddie Pietschman is a promising sophomore who will be a designated hitter to start the season while he is recovering from a shoulder injury from football. When healthy, he will also start in the outfield. Seniors who could play major roles are Garrett McClellen, who was 5-0 on the mound last year, as well as Skylar Williams and Joey Lehman, who both had 0.00 earned run averages last season. Seniors Austin Knauer and Ryan Jones, who started last year in the outfield and at third base, respectively, are also back.