Scouting the Fox Valley area's baseball teams
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Rocco Marinucci (10th season)
2007 record: 15-18, 11-14 Upstate Eight Conference
Top returning players: Seniors Mike Derby (LHP), Mike Selvaggi (RHP), Ryan Walker (CF), Ryan Schrader (SS), Dan Kasper (RHP), Nick Quagliano (3B/1B)
Key newcomers: Juniors Kyle Burden (C), Kyle King (LHP), Alex VanNess (3B/OF), Geroge Tintera (IF), Tucker Erickson (IF), Devin Rowland (OF/P).
Outlook: Bartlett's strong senior class gives it a fighting chance in the Upstate Eight Conference, which counts defending Class AA champion Neuqua Valley and talent-rich St. Charles North among its top contenders. Bartlett's rotation is led by Derby, a Bradley recruit. Last year the lefty went 4-4 with a 4.03 ERA, striking out 58 and walking 38 in 50 innings. Beyond Derby, the Hawks will look for innings from King, a lefty and the best pitching prospect among the junior class, and improvement from Kasper, who last year went 2-3 with a 6.49 ERA in 32 innings. Other arms to watch include Carmody, who posted a 4.74 ERA in 11 relief appearances last year, and Selvaggi, who struck out 7 in 7 appearances with a 3.62 ERA. Walker is the offensive catalyst. A returning all-area pick, the fleet senior center fielder hit .419 (39-for-93) with an on-base percentage of .491 and scored 29 runs. Derby hit .315 in 54 at-bats. "We think we should challenge for the lead in a very competitive conference," Marinucci said. "We think this is a group that can challenge more than last year."
Burlington Central Rockets
Coach: Kyle Nelson (3rd season)
2007 record: 21-8, 9-1 Big Northern-East (Three-time defending champs)
Top returning players: Seniors Bryan Bell (C/1B/RHP), Mark Gorney (3B/IF), Drew Perly (P/OF), Ryan Mattes (CF), Tim Martin (LHP/1B)
Key newcomers: Juniors Austin Jarvis (C/2B), Bill Rodriguez (OF/RHP), George Heller (SS/3B/P), David Hartwell (LHP/1B)
Outlook: Whether the Rockets can challenge for a fourth straight BN-E title will depend largely on how well they replace graduated innings-eaters Brad Porto and Eric Schafernak, who combined to go 13-3 and tossed 99 of Central's 189 innings in 2007. Coach Nelson will look to Bell (3-0, 0 earned runs in 16-plus innings), Perly (2-1, 2 saves, 3.00 ERA) and Hartwell (2.80 ERA, 5 IP). Heller and Martens got their feet wet as relievers last year. Rodriguez earned his first save in a win at Mascoutah on Tuesday. Bell led the team in hitting last season at .319 (23-for-72) with 10 doubles and 15 RBI. The Rockets have an interchangeable left side in Gorney and Heller. "Good defense will be our strong point and we'll be a scrappy offensive team," Nelson said. "The big question mark is what we get on the mound."
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach: Don Sutherland (21st season).
2007 record: 13-17-2, 6-9 FVC Valley
Top returning players: Seniors Eric Aguilera (RF/P), Donnie Fitzgerald (1B) Tom Gwinn (C/DH), Tyler Herman (P), Ben Mottashed (RHP), David Ptaszek (IF), Kyle Williams (IF); Juniors Matt Nelsen (P), Corey Bruns (P).
Key newcomers: Juniors Alex Cook (IF), Sean Kaveney(LHP), Kegan Mascarella (OF), Luke Mottashed (C/DH); sophomore Chris Waylock (SS)
Outlook: Cary-Grove hopes for a bounce-back season fueled by some pitchers with experience and an influx of juniors who went 28-4 at the sophomore level. The staff ace is Mottashed, who earned 5 of the Trojans' 13 wins last year while posting an ERA of 4.37 in 6 starts. Bruns and Nelsen both took some lumps as sophomores on the varsity but should be stronger for it in '08. The pair combined to go 3-8 but Bruns finished with a respectable ERA of 3.82 and Nelsen a decent 4.37. "The experience they got as sophomores is invaluable," Sutherland said. "They were both hurt by a lack of support behind them." Cary-Grove doesn't return many position players, which could be a good thing for a team that committed 95 errors in 32 games last year. Waylock, a strong, fast sophomore, will play shortstop. He recently threw a ball across the C-G gymnasium at 88 mph. Speedy Mascarella will patrol center field and bat cleanup. Luke Mottashed is a promising catcher. Kaveney, a 6-4 left-handed pitcher, went 10-0 on the sophomore level and will get a crack at the rotation. Top returning hitters include Aguilera (.294, 5 doubles) and Ptaszek (.294, 12 RBI).
Crystal Lake South Gators
Coach: Brian Bogda (first season)
2007 record: 14-14, 6-9 FVC Valley
Top returning players: Seniors Wesley Evans (3B/RHP), Steve Kedroski (1B), Ryan Kelley (SS), Danny Walsh (C), Sean Wilson (RF/LHP)
Key newcomers: Juniors Tim Ambrose (RHP), Evan DeVoe (C), Ian Gardeck (RHP/1B), Gavin Meyer (CF), Tony Pauls (LF), James Vazquez (2B)
Outlook: The Gators will obviously miss Zack Carpenter, the area's second-leading hitter last season with a .451 average. Carpenter tore his ACL during basketball season. New coach Brian Bogda knows this team's talent well. He coached the juniors last year as the sophomore coach and coached the seniors when they were freshmen. "I don't have to learn any names. I've pushed all these guys before," said Bogda. His pitching rotation should include returning senior Wilson and junior right-handers Ambrose and Gardeck. Evans may start but could repeat his role as a reliever like a year ago. Kelley is the team's top returning hitter. He hit .405 as a leadoff man last year but will move to the No. 3 spot to start the year. Meyer gives the Gators a good athlete in center field and will hit leadoff. Carpenter is replaced in left field by Pauls, a gap hitter who has shown flashes of power. Devoe, a lefty, bats second while Kedroski inherits the cleanup role. "We don't have a lot of big, flashy names, but we have some guys who work real hard," Bogda said. Crystal Lake South's infield has been completely re-leveled and re-sodded since last season.
Dundee-Crown Chargers
Coach: Fred Bencriscutto (18th season)
2007 record: 28-8, 11-4 FVC Valley champions (Qualified for Class AA Elite Eight)
Top returning players: Seniors Eric Barber (2B/DH), Jeff Bober (LHP), Ryan Horcher (IF), Ben Rodriguez (RHP/3B), Ken Warzalek (LHP), Mike Zozokos (C),
Top newcomer: Juniors Logan Kissack (RHP/1B), Willie Larson (OF), Brendon Schumacher (RHP/OF)
Outlook: Dundee-Crown graduated marquee players like pitchers Kenny Long, Cory Henry and Brad Kerkman, not to mention All-Area co-captain Elliot Soto. However, coach Fred Bencriscutto likes the potential of his 18th and final group of Chargers. He will retire after the season. "This team has an awful lot of potential, but that's all it is until we play someone," Bencriscutto said. "We do have some talent, but we're fine with flying under the radar until we experience a little success." Barber swung a hot bat during D-C's run to the playoffs last year. In 36 at-bats prior to the state quarterfinal, he hit .306 with 9 RBI. Zozokos is an experienced signal caller who hit .250 but reached base at a .415 clip. D-C graduated 25 wins when Henry, Kerkman and Long moved on, so Zozokos will mentor a promising but unproven staff that will include Bober (2-1, 13 IP, 17K, 1.05 ERA), Warzalek (1-1, 16 IP, 7K, 3.06 ERA), Kissack and Schumacher. The coaching staff's most important challenge is finding the right players to play the seven positions left open by graduation. "This is a great group that works hard, which is a byproduct of last year because they know what it takes to win," Bencriscutto said. "That's a good situation to be in."
Elgin Maroons
Coach: David Foerster (2nd season)
2007 record: 11-20, 8-16 Upstate Eight Conference
Top returning players: Seniors Ben Stone (2B/OF) , Josh Smith (RHP/3B/OF), Isaac Serna (RHP/3B), Ben Hamblen (1B), Sergio Fuentes (SS/OF); Junior Dan Schmerber (OF), Tom Roth (RHP/CF)
Key newcomers: Senior Carlos Espinoza (1B), Chris Rodriguez (1B); Juniors Adam Jazwiec (C), Tyler Losieu (2B/OF), Casey Knaak (LHP/OF) reliever, Mike Stackowiak (RHP/3B/OF), Cody Thomas (1B/DH)
Outlook: Tom Roth will be the anchor of a team without much experience to fall back upon. A three-sport star and one of Elgin's better athletes, Roth led the Maroons at the plate (.371 average, 9 doubles, 3 HR, 12 RBI). He'll also anchor the pitching staff. Last year in 43 innings, he went 2-5 with a 5.33 ERA, striking out 32 and walking 24. Those numbers could improve with a changeup added to his fastball-deceptive curve repertoire. Serna, Smith and Hamblen all saw limited action on the mound last year, but each will get his chance to break out in 2008. Serna gained experienced at third base last year on days when Derek Bloomquist pitched. Schmerber was called up late in his sophomore year and patrolled the outfield admirably. He'll likely lead off instead of Roth, who will hit third. Jazwiec has some power and will hit in the middle of the order, possibly cleanup. Knaack will relieve the starting pitchers. Fuentes will get the starting nod at shortstop. The Maroons must claw for every win in a brutally tough Upstate Eight. "Our motto is to get better every day," Foerster said. "We might see some early bumps in the road, but I expect us to be playing good baseball by the end of the year."
Hampshire Whip-Purs
Coach: Steve Ream (10th season)
2007 record: 14-14, 2-8 Big Northern-East (Class A regional champion)
Top returning players: Seniors Brandon Gehringer (2B/P), Cameron Rath (CF/P); Juniors Zach Crinigan (3B/P), James Goebbert (OF/P); Sophomore Ryan Burke (SS/P)
Key newcomers: Juniors Tyler Bentley (C), Matt Kuefner (1B), Joe Moore (OF/P), Bo Price (IF/OF/P)
Outlook: A Class 2A school in a Class 3A-heavy division, the Whip-Purs will try to win with pitching and defense and hope their hitting comes around in time. "We'd like to win a regional and advance in the sectional," said Ream, "but advancing will depend on our offense, which is a big question mark." The Whips' leading returning hitters include Crinigan, (.260, 3 doubles, 17 RBI), Gehringer (.260, 3 doubles, 6 RBI), Rath (.449 on-base percentage, 9 RBI) and Goebbert (.262, 9 RBI). Burke is a bright prospect who was elevated to the varsity late in his freshman year. He hit .458 (11-for-24) and drove in 11. Burke also pitched the Whips to their first regional title, a 3-2 win over Byron, a game in which he also drove in the winning run. The rotation could feature Gehringer (3.40 ERA, 22 IP) and Goebbert (4.20 ERA, 13 K, 20 IP). The Whips will play this season at the fields in the Cambridge Lakes subdivision on Illinois 72. Their former field at Seyller Park was submerged for months after last August's flooding.
Huntley Red Raiders
Coach: Andy Jakubowski (3rd season at Huntley)
2007 record: 17-18, 9-6 FVC Fox Division
Top returning players: Seniors Dave Drwal (1B), Jeff Fabis (3B), Travis King (C/1B), Nathan Prokuski (LHP), Eliott Swiatly (P/SS/UT); Juniors Tanner Funke (LHP/1B), Jimmy Gordon (C/OF), Jeremy Grap (RHP/3B), Zach Liebman (P/3B), Craig Lipp (LHP/OF)
Key newcomers: Senior Ray Foote (P/IF/OF); Juniors Jordan Contreras (2B), Garrick Penrod (P/1B), Jose Rodriguez (P/OF), Nathan Sopena (SS/2B), Matt Wolf (P/3B); Sophomores Chris Klein (P/OF), Phil Pupillo (C/1B)
Outlook: The Red Raiders expect to broach the 20-win mark and make a deep playoff push in Class 3A behind their pitching and defense. "Those are our strengths," Jakubowski said. "How well we overcome adversity and how well we put individual achievements aside will go a long way to determining how successful a season we ultimately have." The Red Raiders are led at the plate by Lipp, who as a sophomore hit .358 in 118 at-bats with 14 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs and 35 RBI. Prokuski hit. 337 with 5 doubles, 20 RBI. Swiatly is a good glove man who stole 7 bases and drove in 14. Gordon, the catcher, threw out 17 of 31 base stealers. Liebman hit .333 in 8 games last year. Prokuski, Funke and Lipp are all lefties at the top of the rotation. Prokuski , a three-year varsity starter, went 3-7 with a 4.70 ERA last year but is off to a 2-0 start already. Funke, the No. 2 hurler, struck out 9 in 10 varsity innings and went 1-0. Grap, the closer, has a sharp curve ball he throws for strikes. Sopena is a transfer from Niles Notre Dame who can hit lead off.
Jacobs Golden Eagles
Coach: Eric Sanders (1st season)
2007 record: 14-17, 5-10 Fox Valley Conference (Valley)
Top returning players: Seniors John Amann (C), Adam Camacho (IF), Mike Castillo (IF/P), Matt Igara (P/OF), Ryan Lesner (IF/P), Kyle Magnuson (OF), Bobby Molinaro (C/IF), Brandon Stroh (OF), Jon Szalonek (IF)
Outlook: With 24 players on the roster and five quality coaches to train them, including first-year coach Sanders who caught at the University of Michigan, the new faces making an impact for Jacobs this season should be numerous. Position battles rage at most spots as 15 juniors push 9 seniors for playing time. That competitive scenario could drive the Golden Eagles, who finished third in the state in the summer tournament, to new heights during the regular season. Igara, who will play at Heartland Community College in Normal, will play center field and close games on the mound. Lesner (Augustana) is the team ace and usually gives the bullpen a break. Molinaro has caught on quickly as a catcher and may split time behind the plate with Amann when he isn't playing third. Szalonek will play a significant role in the infield, where Sanders intends to mix and match players until he finds the right combination. "The kids are working hard and the last week of practices have been our best," Sanders said. "There's an eagerness on the kids' part to see what we have on the field."
Larkin Royals
Coach: Doug Ellett (2nd season at Larkin, 12th overall)
2007 record: 23-13, 16-9 Upstate Eight (Regional champion)
Top returning players: Seniors John Banks (RHP), Jake Kane (C), Cam Kinley (IF/OF), Ryan Shriver (2B/OF), Tyler Shore (RHP/1B), David Schue (LHP/1B)
Key newcomers: Juniors Brandon Anderson (P) Justin Kalusa (LHP/CF), Luc Geier (RHP/1B/DH), Joe Stace (SS/3B)
Outlook: The Royals won't be picked to win the rock-solid Upstate Eight, but they're bound to give some of the favorites fits. "We're still at a point where we're trying to get our program competitive against those top teams day in and day out," Ellett said, "but I think we'll be competitive and I really hope some people look past us." No one can overlook Banks, who went 5-0 last season with an ERA of 3.35. He leads a staff that runs nine deep, which could allow for situational pitching substitutions, which are not overly common in the high school game. Shore is a dependable reliever. Geier, Kalusa and Anderson lead a crop of junior hurlers that should have an impact. Kinley hit .308 last season with 4 doubles in 38 at-bats. Banks hit .338 in 74 at-bats with 12 RBI. Those two are the only returning starters besides Shriver, a slick fielder who hit .275. Kane is a solid athlete with good speed and a good arm behind the plate.
Prairie Ridge Wolves
Coach: Dave Haskins (1st season)
2007 record: 19-13, 9-6 Fox Valley Conference (2nd in Fox Division)
Top returning players: Seniors Donnie Baran (OF/P), Mike Butler (3B), Mike Heesch (LHP), Nolan Jacoby (DH/C), Bobby Martin (SS), Nick Martini (OF/LHP), Dave Mitroff (C), Nick Morris (IF/OF), Pete Patras (1B), T.J. Swank (RHP), Sam Zagone (P)
Key newcomers: Juniors Will Mack (OF), Logan Olson (OF), Dan Rowe (2B), Joe Zwierzynski (P); Sophomore Ross Vance (P)
Outlook: New coach Haskins inherits one of the most talented teams in the state, one stocked with five players already signed to play Division-I baseball next season. Martini (Kansas State) hit .435 last season and finished with a preposterous .738 slugging percentage. This year he'll also take on the role of No. 3 pitcher, marking the first time the lefty has thrown since he was a freshman. Senior submariner T.J. Swank (Coastal Carolina) is one of the most deceptive right-handers in the state and enters the season healthy after an injury-plagued junior season in which he still managed to go 3-2 with a 1.10 ERA. Martin (Ohio) is one of the area's best shortstops. Mitroff (Liberty) will handle one of the deepest pitching staffs around. Heesch (Nebraska) is throwing in the mid-to-upper 80s. However, none of these "name" players will have his name sewn on the back of his uniform this year. "We will play as one, not as individuals," first-year coach Haskins said. "We play for our community and our school, not for ourselves. It's about team, not superstars." Nonconference tests include the Flyers Classic, Carmel and defending champion Neuqua Valley.
St. Edward Green Wave
Coach: Gene Belmonte (third season)
2007 record: 5-17, 2-12 Suburban Catholic Conference
Top returning players: Seniors Kyle Horn (C), Kyle Tortelott (IF/OF); Juniors Mike Kondrath (1B/LHP), Anthony Bauer (2B/SS), Riley Coleman (RHP/SS); Sophomores Jon Godfrey (UT/IF/OF), Dave Hoebbel (CF), T.J. Madzy (IF), Julian Ramiriez (P/C/OF), Jordan Torres (LF/RHP),
Key newcomers: Jim Fraczek (P), Brad Winters (P/OF)
Outlook: St. Edward will still be a young team, but most of last year's squad returns intact a year older and a year wiser. Better yet, the Green Wave suddenly has five pitchers with starter's stuff, led by staff ace Coleman. Sophomore Ramirez has a live arm and will be part of the rotation. Sophomore Torres could be a horse in the rotation. Kondrath is the only lefty in the rotation or in the batting order. Fraczek is a transfer from Driscoll with a head for the mound. "It's like manna from heaven," St. Edward coach Gene Belmonte said of his team's newfound pitching depth in comparison to the last two seasons. "I think we're going to turn the corner here this year and get some more wins. We're young, but we have a swagger I haven't seen in a few years." Coleman will play shortstop when he isn't pitching. The Wave is currently on a 6-game, spring-break road trip through southern Illinois. Horn and Tortellot are the only returning seniors on a team with 5 sophomores and 5 juniors. Only 2 seniors graduated.
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Jim Kating (second season)
2007 record: 10-24, 7-18 Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Seniors Ryan Kellner (SS/RHP), Sophomore Kyle Kinyon (C/RHP)., Josh Myers (RHP/OF), Pete Scaffidi (RHP/OF), Matt Wright (CF), Kevin Davis (LHP/OF); Sophomore Kyle Kinyon (C)
Key newcomers: Juniors Chris Ciccone (OF/P), Ben Irving (3B/P) Dan Kogut (reliever/1B), Phil Kawabata (OF)
Outlook: South Elgin lost several games from the fifth inning on last season, but having senior leadership for the first time could reverse that trend in 2008. "They have a season under their belts and they need to show leadership," Storm coach Jim Kating said of his senior class. "It's time for them to take control of the program and do things the right way." Kating has a strong shortstop in all-area returnee Kellner, who hit .392 with 9 doubles, 3 home runs and 17 RBI in 112 at-bats and struck out just twice. Center fielder Wright (Edgewood College) hit .352 last year. He, Kellner and strong-armed catcher Kinyon, who started as a freshman, give South Elgin strength up the middle. Ciccone started a regional playoff game in the outfield as a sophomore. Myers, Scaffidi, Kellner, Davis and Kinyon represent the bulk of the pitching staff.
Streamwood Sabres
Coach: Steve Diversey (1st season)
2007 record: 12-20, 8-16 Upstate Eight Conference
Top returning players: Seniors Gabe Roman (LHP/CF), Brian Brauer (RHP/2B), Rob Barth (RHP/C); Junior Ryan Kiesel (SS/RHP); Sophomore Mike Diebold (RHP)
Key newcomers: Juniors Brian Domokos (RHP), Zach Klein (RHP), Matt Cohen (C/3B/Util.)
Outlook: Streamwood will be a young team, but one that can compete against anybody when Diebold pitches. In 9 starts as a freshman, he went 2-3 with a 2.40 ERA in 58 innings pitched. He'll be joined in the rotation by a pair of 6-3 juniors, Klein and Domokos, who pitched for new coach Diversey on the sophomore level last year. Kiesel is a budding star at shortstop. An all-area returnee, the Sabres' leadoff man hit .427 (44-for-103) with 17 steals and 28 runs. Roman gives Streamwood stability in center field. He hit .396 last year (38-for-96) with 4 doubles and 17 RBI. "We want to be competitive and win the games we can win and compete in the games that on paper would seem a little more difficult," Diversey said. "We are young, so getting the kids to jell as a team and play cohesively will be our primary purpose." Only six of 20 Sabres are seniors.
Westminster Christian Warriors
Coach: Jeff Moeller (7th season)
2007 record: 25-14 (Qualified for Class A Elite Eight)
Top players: Seniors Ben Palmer (LHP/1B), Cory Hodge (SS), Carter Ward (C), Tyler Beachler (OF), Ted Grossman (2B), Ryan Donahue (RHP/OF), Junior Brandon Siewert (RHP/3B), Chad Schroy (LHP/1B/OF)
Top newcomers: Casey Schuring (OF/RHP), Jake Moeller (IF)
Outlook: One of the best, if not the best, small-school teams in the state, the Warriors return the key components from the squad that put Westminster on the baseball map with a Class A Elite Eight berth in 2007. Palmer was one of the most dominant Class A pitchers in the state as a junior and is now signed to play for Dallas Baptist University. Despite a nagging back injury that has since improved, he went 10-3 with a microscopic ERA of 0.22, struck out 128 in 82 innings and walked just 22. He may return to the lineup as a hitter this season as well. Hodge is another returning all-area pick and one of the area's finest shortstops. He hit .402 (43-for-107) with 15 doubles, 4 triples and 32 RBI. Ward is one of the area's best catchers defensively and offensively. He hit .327 (35-for-107) with 9 doubles, 2 home runs, 24 RBI and a team-best 40 runs scored. Schuring, a former Westminster School student who transferred back from Jacobs, steps in and becomes the team's No. 2 pitcher. He will also play center field. Beachler, who hit .333, moves to left. Siewert hit .296 and slugged .426 and went 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 21-plus innings. Donahue (5-5) won a regional title game and finished with an ERA of 2.63 in almost 70 innings. "We just hope to keep the kids humble and hungry," Moeller said. "If they stay that way and keep working hard, the sky's the limit. We could be playing in the final game if we don't get cocky and arrogant."