Baseball: Scouting the Class 1A/2A postseason in the Fox Valley

Class 1A Elgin Academy regional

Pairings: Monday - Game 1) No. 5 Harvest Christian Academy (6-13) at No. 4 Kirkland Hiawatha, 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday - Game 2) No. 1 Alden-Hebron (21-9) vs. Winner Game 1, 4:30 p.m. at Elgin National Field; Thursday - Game 3) No. 2 Elgin Academy (9-14) vs. No. 3 Hinckley-Big Rock, 4:30 p.m. at Elgin National Field; Saturday - Game 4) Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3, 11 a.m. at Elgin National Field.

Outlook: Two Elgin private school programs that didn't exist two years ago could meet in a regional final with the right break or two. Elgin Academy is playing its second varsity season since reviving the dormant program. Led by freshman all-Independent School League selection Ian Wilson (.450, 6 HR), freshman pitcher Jonathan Cruz (4-2), Albion College-bound Gannon Cottone (.360, 4 HR) and corner infielder Andrew Wilson, the Hilltoppers have played bigger schools most of the season. They are 6-1 against Class 1A competition. "I think playing the mostly 2A and 3A teams that make up our conference will help us in the playoffs," Elgin Academy coach Steve Shapiro said. "It's been a real challenge playing schools two and three times our size."

Harvest Christian Academy enters the playoffs for the first time after an inaugural regular season. The Lions start six freshmen, but that's no longer an excuse, according to coach David Lockwood. "At this point they're not freshmen anymore," he said. "Baseball is a funny sport. If you play defense and throw strikes, anything can happen. Our guys feel like they can play with anybody so they're going into it with the thought they can win. I'd love to see them do what I think they're capable of." Top hitters for the Lions include junior catcher Chad Jakel (.327, 3 doubles, HR) and freshmen Drew Lewis (.339, 14 RBI) and Dylan Lockwood (.327, 9 RBI).

Advancement: The winner of the Elgin Academy regional advances to a Freeport Aquin sectional semifinal against the winner of the Ashton-Franklin Center regional at Highland Community College on Wednesday, May 27 at 4 p.m.

Class 2A Aurora Christian regional

Pairings: Monday - Game 1) No. 5 Christian Liberty Academy at No. 4 St. Edward (9-18), 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday - Game 2) No. 1 Westminster Christian (15-18-1) vs. Winner Game 1, 4:30 p.m. at Waubonsee Community College; Thursday - Game 3) No. 2 Aurora Christian (15-9) vs. No. 3 Northridge Prep (8-10), 4:30 p.m. at Waubonsee Community College; Saturday - Game 4) Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3, 11 a.m. at Waubonsee Community College.

Outlook: A St. Edward victory in Monday's play-in game against Christian Liberty Academy would set up an all-Elgin regional semifinal against Westminster Christian on Wednesday, but the Green Wave can't take anything for granted, particularly since ace Jack Tierney has been shut down for the last two weeks and is unlikely to pitch this week, St. Edward coach Tim Dovichi said. That leaves the pitching assignments, most likely, to Alex Lara and Patrick Costello. Lara (4-5) has a 3.39 ERA in 41.1 innings with 23 walks and 42 strikeouts. Fortunately, Tierney can still hit. He leads the team with 14 RBI. Senior Jake LaFrenz is hitting .286 with 7 doubles. He has one of the highest batting averages in a hitting-challenged lineup.

The Warriors are led offensively by seniors Tyler Mamrot, Luke Weston and Frank Anguilo, all of whom cause havoc near the top of the order. Weston pitched against the Green Wave last week. In a no-decision, he allowed 3 unearned runs on 3 hits, walked 7 and struck out 6. Peter Hahn took the loss in relief. First-year coach Steve Gallaher also has the option of throwing either Anguilo or Justin Rasmussen. Anguilo last pitched on Thursday, when he shut out Luther North on 2 hits in 5 innings. He struck out 10 without a walk. Rasmussen pitched 4 innings Saturday in a nonconference loss to Byron in which he allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits. "We will have Justin and Frankie ready for the playoffs so we should be in good shape," Weston said last week.

Advancement: The winner of the Aurora Christian regional advances to a Byron sectional semifinal against the winner of the Oregon regional on Wednesday, May 27 at 4 p.m.