Highly-ranked squads slated for Flyers Classic
Baseball America's 28th and 41st ranked teams highlight this year's Flyers Classic at Alexian Field.
The No. 28 ranked Prairie Ridge Wolves will take on highly regarded Joliet Catholic on April 3 at 7 p.m.
The Wolves are lead by Coastal Carolina recruit, TJ Swank and Kansas State recruit, Nick Martini. The Hilltoppers ranked No. 18 in the state of Illinois according to the Truth Prep Baseball Report feature senior OF/LHP, John Ruettiger, a signee at Arizona State.
Co-host Jacobs is scheduled to open the Classic with a game against Wheaton-Warrenville South at 4:30 p.m. on April 3. The Golden Eagles are led by led by Heartland Community College-bound Matt Igara, a senior OF, while the Tigers feature Iowa-bound Nick Brown, a senior RHP.
Another doubleheader is slated for Friday, April 4th. Co-host Schaumburg will take on Baseball America's No. 41 team in the nation, Neuqua Valley, in the afternoon game at 4:30 p.m. The Saxons feature senior catcher Dominick D'Agata, a signee at Purdue. The Wildcats are the IHSA defending state champs and are led by Ian Krol, a junior LHP and senior RHP Geoff Rowan.
The field is rounded out by Lyons Township vs. highly ranked St. Charles North. Those two schools will meet on April 4 at 7 p.m. The Lions are led by Brian Lorenz, a senior RHP/OF. The North Stars, PBR's No. 3 ranked team in the state, feature Illinois State recruit, senior OF Jake Thorton, and senior LHP Danny Jimenez. St. Charles North also feature other D-I recruits like Northern Iowa-bound Brian de la Torriente, a senior RHP/SS and Western Michigan-bound Sam Weinberg, a senior RHP.
An action packed day of baseball will conclude the tournament on Saturday. Consolation games will occur simultaneously at Jacobs High School and St. Charles North High School, beginning at 1 p.m. Alexian Field and Schaumburg High School will conduct semifinal bracket games, also at 1 p.m. At 4 p.m., the fifth-place game will be played at Alexian Field while the third-place game unfolds at Schaumburg High. The tournament championship game will take place at 7 p.m. at Alexian Field.
Tickets to all Alexian Field games are available at the gate for $3. For more information, call tournament director John Sarna at (847) 658-2504.
This year's Flyers Classic is sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings, Sign-A-Rama of Carpentersville, Hayden's Athletic, Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago, the Truth Prep Baseball Report, and the Daily Herald.
The Hitting Zone baseball camp: The Hitting Zone in Bartlett is currently taking registrations for baseball players ages 7-12 to participate in a spring break baseball camp. This 4-day camp will run in two age specific sessions beginning March 25.
Led by professional instructors, set in small group stations, the camp will provide players an opportunity to learn and develop the fundamental skills needed to enjoy a successful season.
Drills will focus on teaching techniques to improve players' performance in pitching, hitting, fielding and base running.
The camp will run March 25 through March 28 from 9 a.m. until noon for ages 7-9, and from 12:30-3:30 p.m. for ages 10-12. Cost will be $100 per player and does include a camp T-shirt.
To register, call The Hitting Zone at (630) 289-9663. The first 5 players with paid registrations for each session will receive a free 20-token card for the batting cages.