Scouting Tri-Cities area baseball teams
Aurora Central
Coach: Mike Armato, first year.
Last year: 9-20 overall, 3-11 in the Suburban Catholic Conference.
Top returning players: Mark Adams, sr., SS/P; Kyle Edwards, sr., C; Chad Roscoe, sr., OF/IF; Mike Adams, jr., OF/P; Nick Czaja, jr., P/1B; David Luna, sr., P; Brian O'Donnell, jr., 1B/OF; Nick DeLeon, sr., P; Pat Wondrak, sr., IF.
Top new players: Matt Wagner, jr., OF; Mark Brauweiler, jr., OF; Ken Litrenta, jr., P.
Outlook: Armato is one of four new coaches in the Tri-Cities Area, but he is the only one whose duties also include athletic director. He replaced Rich Swann, who now coaches at Aurora University. Armato inherits an athletic bunch, several who play either basketball or football or both. "You can't teach athleticism," he said. "We are fortunate to have that." The players also know each other well, which eliminates the "getting to know you" phase new teams sometimes have to deal with. "If anything, it's been harder for me to break in," Armato said. "But for the most part, it's been an easy transition." And why not? Only two key players graduated from last year's team. Returning are some of ACC's best athletes, including the Adams brothers, Czaja and Edwards. Czaja is going to be the Chargers' No. 1 on the mound with Luna and Mike Adams possibly in the starting rotation. Mark Adams, who may set a school record in stolen bases, may be in relief, but the team will need him more at shortstop. Armato hasn't seen his team hit too much yet, but he thinks the Adams brothers, Edwards and Czaja will be ACC's best hitters.
Aurora Christian
Coach: Andy Zorger, first year.
Last year: 8-20 overall, 5-11 in the Private School League.
Top returning players: Tony Romero, sr., P/OF; Eric Andersen, jr., C/DH; Nate Hill, jr., 1B/P; Andru Ubert, jr., P/C/IF; Matt Morris, so., P/SS; Michael Friend, sr., C/P/OF; Scott Minta, sr., IF; Ross McGee, sr., util.
Top new players: Dave Zielke, jr., 3B/P/OF; Steve Clancy, so., P/OF; Ryan Johnson, jr., P/C.
Outlook: Zorger is new to the program. He takes over for Ralph Ubert, whose son, Andru, is one of 8 returning players from last year's 8-win team, something that Zorger was surprised to discover. "I was shocked when I heard that with the talent I've seen," Zorger said. "I thought the record would have been .500 for sure…but I didn't see a single game." Zorger thinks this squad is capable of topping last year's record for sure. "No question about it," he said. "I feel good about things. The kids are great and the attitudes are awesome. We definitely have guys who can hit." Ubert, Morris, Andersen and Hill were named as the team's top hitters. There are also 4 potential catchers in Ubert, Andersen, Friend and Johnson. "Mix them all in one guy and we'd have a stud," said Zorger, who played baseball as an infielder at Indiana Wesleyan for 4 years. The Eagles' starting rotation will include Morse, plus Romero and Clancy, who are both lefties.
Batavia
Coach: Matt Holm, 16th year (247-226-1).
Last year: 19-16 overall, 12-9 in the Western Sun Conference.
Top returning players: Alex Beckmann, sr., SS; Brian Krolikowski, jr., P/OF; Brad Brandenburg, sr., P/3B; Jordan Coffey, jr., P/OF; Matt Piechota, sr., P; Shane Holl, sr., 1B; Mike Sentman, sr., IF;
Top new players: Adam Karger, jr., P/1B; Ryan Welter, jr., C; Matt Taylor, so., P/SS/3B; Tim Drish, jr., OF.
Outlook: Holm can't help but to be excited about this year's team and talent. "We've got a real good group coming back," he said. More like great group, as leadoff man, two-time All-Area shortstop and NIU-bound Alex Beckmann and his .500-plus batting average returns. Pitchers try to pitch around this lefty batter, but Batavia's "Mr. Baseball" seems to get on base quite a bit. He switched from second base to shortstop last year and the Bulldogs won 8 in a row. He is a lock at the top of the batting order, as Brandenburg, Krolikowski and Coffey will likely bat in the 2-4 spots. All three are also pitchers with Brandenburg in relief and Coffey and Krolikowski in the starting rotation. "We are expecting them to carry a big load,' Holm said of his junior starters, who are 2 of 8 pitchers on the roster. Brandenburg, who will play next year at Aurora University, is mainly at third and Sentman (Hope College) will be at second. "Virtually, our whole infield is back," Holm said, adding that Coffey will see time at first base and the outfield. Drish, Piechota and Welter dealt with injuries last year, and should make an impact this year.
Geneva
Coach: Matt Hahn, fourth year (64-41).
Last year: 24-12 overall (set school record for wins), 14-7 in the Western Sun Conference (first time in school history); Won first regional title in school history.
Top returning players: Cory Hofstetter, jr., 1B; Ryan Payne, sr., C/P; Chris Jordan, sr., P; Justin Doty, sr., 3B; Ryan Adams, sr., OF; Rod Nelson, sr., P/util; Kevin Massoth, sr., OF; Dan Rowe, sr., OF; Matt Kramer, sr., OF; Tyler Baert, sr., 2B/P.
Top new players: Sean Grady, jr., OF; A.J. Sarantopulos, jr., RHP; Mike Grandenitti, jr., SS; John Hanson, jr., RHP; John Switzer, jr., 2B; Riley Perry, so., RHP.
Outlook: What a season it was for the Vikings last year, as they broke school records and won conference and regional titles for the first time. A big part of that was Brad Allen, who graduated and is currently pitching at NIU. "Last year, we leaned on Brad," Hahn said. "This year, it's more collective." In other words, there is no superstar, just a bunch of players who will get the job done. "I'd rather have that," Hahn said. "I have 16 guys who work hard." Jordan, who went 7-1 last year, and Nelson (5-2) are Geneva's top two starters this year. "That's half our wins coming back," Hahn said. "They are clearly our 1-2." Massoth is the Vikings' leadoff man with all-conference selections Hofstetter and Adams in the middle of the lineup. With so many players back, the Vikings know what it feels like to win. "As a group, they've experienced success, and the key is to build on that," Hahn said. However, he knows everyone in the conference is out to get them. "There's a target on us," said Hahn, who listed Batavia and Glenbard South as the teams to beat.
Kaneland
Coach: Brian Aversa, second year (18-14).
Last year: 18-14 overall, 11-10 in the Western Sun Conference (set school records in both conference and total wins).
Top returning players: Brian Claesson, sr., C; Cody Crook, sr., P/OF; Austin Park, sr., IF/P; Nick Wagner, sr., IF; Jody Henningson, sr., CF; Alex Norman, sr., P/1B; Tyler Dickerson, sr., OF; Matt Gabrielson, sr., P/util; Kyle Renaud, sr., IF; Tom Childs, sr., 1B.
Top new players: Andrew Ziegler, sr., P/1B; Joe Gura, jr., P/IF; Mike Pritchard, jr., 3B; Troy Pritchard, jr., P; Jay Levita, jr., LF; Jeff Smith, jr., P/IF.
Outlook: Aversa experienced a unique first season with the Knights last year. Not only was it a winning season -- something the Knights weren't used to -- but the team had Casey Crosby, a left-handed pitcher who was later drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round in last year's MLB draft. Crosby, who is currently in Lakeland, Fla., with the Tigers organization for spring training, attracted a ton of attention from MLB scouts and kept Aversa on the phone quite a bit. Aversa appreciated the attention, but was kept busier than most coaches. "It's nice and quiet now," he said. All that attention toward Crosby took attention away from some of the other players who plan on making some noise this year. "They hope to surprise some people," Aversa said. The Knights may have lost one lefty pitcher, but have a very rare 5 southpaws on the mound this year, including Troy Pritchard, Crook, Park, Norman and Smith. "We are blessed with that," said Aversa, who has 8 solid pitchers total. "We have a lot of depth at pitching." Catching for all these pitchers is Claesson, who caught for Crosby last year.
Marmion
Coach: David Rakow, first year.
Last year: 14-19 overall, 5-9 in the Suburban Catholic Conference (fifth).
Top returning players: Rob Reder, sr., 2B/C; Alan Kus, sr., util./IF/SS; Tim Milroy, sr., 1B/P/OF; Matt McHugh, sr., 3B/C/P.
Top new players: Matt Milroy, jr., P/CF; Ryan Hoffman, jr., C; Dave DeSimone, jr., SS; David Brouch, jr., P/OF; C.J. Foster, jr., OF; Brian Burns, jr., P/3B.
Outlook: Rakow, a 1999 Batavia grad, makes his varsity coaching debut after coaching the sophomores last year to a record of 24-3. He replaced Jim Reiland, who was only the second baseball coach Marmion has ever had. Reiland coached 20 years at the varsity level. "So far, it's going well," said Rakow, who played baseball at Batavia under current coach Matt Holm and football under current coach Mike Gaspari before playing football at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for 4 years. "We've put a ton of time in, and the kids have been great." What's great is the six returning players listed were on that 24-3 team. Those juniors, mixed with the 4 seniors returning, should make Rakow's transition an easy one. Rakow listed pitching (8 righties) and hitting (12-13 deep) as strengths. Perhaps the Cadets' only major obstacle this year is not having a home field. Marmion is currently undergoing a campus facelift. That includes the baseball fields. As a result, the Cadets will play their "home games" at several different locations, including IMSA and West Aurora. "It's going to be interesting," Rakow said
St. Charles East
Coach: Mark Foulkes, fifth year (89-60).
Last year: 19-14 overall, 16-8 in the Upstate Eight Conference.
Top returning players: Tyler Deetjen, sr., P; Chris Burgess, sr., P; Mike Hoscheit, sr., LF; Matt Johnson, sr., P/OF; Andy Gruenwald, sr., P; Tom Lollino, sr., DH/OF; Mark Proust, sr., OF; Dan Leibforth, sr., 3B; Josh Heitzman, sr., P; Zach Scott, jr., Steve Schenck, sr., C.
Top new players: Dan White, jr., OF; Johnathan Erickson, so., 2B; Kyle Wiebe, jr., P; Tim Russell, jr., P.
Outlook: Foulkes is approaching the 100-win mark at St. Charles East. Will he get it this year? With the talent the Saints have this year, absolutely -- with probably more wins than last year. Pitching is looking good, as Deetjen (Valparaiso) and Burgess (Central Michigan) are two Division I hurlers who will lead the way. "Throw Andy (Gruenwald) in there and pitching looks great for us," Foulkes said. "They had a great summer. Tyler definitely has good stuff and is a competitive person. He reminds me of Andy Reid (a 2006 Saints grad). He goes out there and throws strikes (and) Chris will keep us in a lot of games." Hoscheit was on last year's All-Area team and led the Saints in batting average, home runs, hits and RBI. Lollino, Proust (who is heading to Coe College in Iowa) and Leibforth will also be able to put the ball in play.
St. Charles North
Coach: Todd Genke, fourth year (79-66).
Last year: 30-6 overall (set school record in wins), 21-3 in the Upstate Eight Conference (first place, third time in 5 years).
Top returning players: Sam Weinberg, sr., P; Scott Kuczynski, sr., IF; Mike Mastalski, sr., P/OF; Brian De la Torriente, sr., IF/P; Ryan Johansen, sr., IF/P; Jake Thornton, sr., OF; Brandon Nothnagel, sr., C; Danny Jimenez, sr., P/OF; Zach Hirsch, jr., P/1B.
Top new players: Colin O'Carroll, jr., OF; Ryan Richardson, so., P/IF; K.C. Wright, jr., IF; Kevin Borst, so., P/OF; Matt Stevens, so., C.
Outlook: How do you improve on last year's showing of 30-6? "31-5?," joked Genke. "When I look at that record (30-6), obviously we've never won 30 games -- it's really a phenomenal feat -- but when I look at our pitching and what we have coming back, I think we can better it. It's going to be a tough task. We have the toughest schedule we've ever had, (but) if we stay healthy, we can get close to that." It's easy for Genke to think positive about this year's team. There are three seniors going to Division I schools next year in All-Area and all-state outfielder Thornton (Illinois State), pitcher De la Torriente (Northern Iowa) and pitcher Sam Weinberg (Western Michigan). Genke said Thornton has one of the best bats in the state and De la Torriente and Weinberg, along with Hirsch and Jimenez make the pitching staff outstanding. "I'm very happy with the pitching we have," Genke said. "We have four guys who could be No. 1s at any other school. They are going to keep us in a lot of games." Nine seniors are back, 6 of which clocked in significant playing time on last year's team, which set the school record in wins, won another conference title and reached the sectional final before falling to Larkin. "Across the board, we have some players who can produce," Genke said. "With the experience from last year, I think it's going to go a long way for us." In the midst of all these returning players, three new underclassmen (Richardson, Borst and Stevens) found a spot on the North Stars' roster. "What I didn't expect was to carry three sophomores at this point," Genke said. "But they've worked hard and I think they can help us. That's why they are with us."
West Aurora
Coach: John Reeves, first year.
Last year: 14-18 overall, 8-13 in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Top returning players: Will Fuentes, sr., 2B/3B/P; Jeff Etter, sr., SS/P; Kyle McCradic, sr., C; Chris Richter, so., 3B/P; DJ Smith, sr., OF.
Top new players: Tony Gaffino, jr., SS/P; Nate Strusz, jr., SS/P; Cory Walden, jr., 1b/P; Brady Renner, jr., OF.
Outlook: Reeves takes over the program for legendary Hall of Fame coach Dave Rowell, who coached the Blackhawks for 23 years. Reeves learned a lot under Rowell, as he was Rowell's assistant at the varsity level for 2 years. He coached at the lower levels for 5 years prior to that. "I'm excited for the season," said Reeves, who played for Rowell in 1994-96. "We've got a good group of kids who are working hard so far." Leading the way on the mound is Etter, who is in his third year on varsity. "He looks good," Reeves said. "He didn't play basketball this season so he could prepare himself for the baseball season." Richter will probably be the team's No. 2 pitcher and Fuentes may move from closer last year to starter this year. "They both had a nice summer," Reeves said. Reeves listed Smith, Walden, McCradic, Fuentes and Richter as the Blackhawks' top hitters. As a team, West Aurora hit .332 last year and lost a lot of close games. Reeves thinks this bunch has a lot of potential to do good things. "I'm really excited about this group," he said.