Falcons trying to remain grounded
As the lone unbeaten baseball team in DuPage County, Wheaton North enjoys a certain status.
Whether the Falcons like it or not, extreme expectations go along with that status.
"I don't know if I feel like there's a target on our back," said Falcons coach Dan Schoessling, "but we're definitely not going to sneak up on anyone. Our players are very excited about what's happened to this point, but they also understand the tremendous challenge that lies ahead."
Opening the season with a 10-0 record, Wheaton North has firmly established its position as one of the state's top teams - especially on the heels of last year's fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament.
The goal at this point, however, is defending the DuPage Valley Conference title the Falcons shared a year ago with Naperville North and Glenbard North.
"You can't worry about winning the state title on April 22," said Schoessling, whose team has set program records for the best start to a season and consecutive wins. "Our main goal right now is to win the DVC, and we know it's not going to be easy."
This week the Falcons were scheduled to begin a three-game series with Naperville North (10-2) in a battle between the DVC's only two 3-0 teams. Rain unfortunately postponed the games slated for Monday and Tuesday, but if the weather cooperates the series will be played today, Thursday and Friday.
Like last year, though, don't be surprised if the DVC race goes down to the wire.
"I think the conference is as good as it's ever been," Schoessling said. "It'll probably come down to the last day again."
On the road: Several baseball teams took early spring road trips, including a couple of out-of-state adventures.
Glenbard South (9-7) spent a few days in Millington, Tenn., to compete in the USA Classic. Among the teams competing was Yucaipa, one of the top programs in California and ranked fourth in the nation by USA Today.
Neuqua Valley (7-4) was in Louisiana the weekend of April 10 to play in the GMAC National Classic. The Wildcats lost three of the four games they played, but two of them came to defending state champions. Parkview Baptist boasts four players committed to Division I colleges.
"I don't think anyone will intimidate us after the teams we saw down there," said Glenbard South coach Mike Riley, whose team won the consolation championship and placed Sterling Smith and Joe Ramirez on the all-tournament team. "It was great for our kids to see that kind of competition."
On tour: The St. Francis stadium tour continues ... sort of.
After Friday's loss to Benet at Benedictine University's fine baseball facility, on Monday the Spartans were supposed to play St. Edward at Geneva's Elfstrom Stadium. Rain, however, postponed the outing both Monday and Tuesday.
St. Francis will try again next Tuesday, although the Spartans will face Immaculate Conception instead of St. Edward at the home of the Kane County Cougars.
"This gives our guys the chance to play on a big stage," said St. Francis coach Rich Janor. "It's been a little frustrating the last couple of days, but I just keep telling them that we'll keep rescheduling until we get to play there."