Scouting Fox Valley baseball teams
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Russ Lorenz (first year)
Conference: Upstate Eight
Last year: 21-13, 15-9 UEC (fourth)
Key returnees: seniors Matt DiCianni (P), Brett Kielbasa (1B), Mike Mancuso (3B), Mark Morse (P/IF/OF), Greg Partyka (C/IF), Alex Raver (P/OF), Mike Tomsovic (IF/P); junior Ryan Yore (OF/P)
Key newcomers: juniors Brett Barger (OF/P), John Fleming (OF), Kyle Liepelt (IF/P), Joey Miceli (C), David Mutter (IF/P)
Outlook: The Hawks aim for another winning season, this time under the direction of Lorenz, the program's third head coach in as many seasons. Bradley-bound Partyka, the area's top returning power hitter, batted .475 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI last year. The Hawks will count on DiCianni and Raver at the top of the rotation with Tomsovic and Morse figuring prominently. Yore is a dependable, speedy left-handed hitting leadoff man and center fielder. "Between Greg Partyka, Mike Tomsovic and Alex Raver we've got some seniors coming back who got a lot of experience as juniors," Lorenz said. "We have a couple of juniors that will have to come up and throw some big innings for us and start hitting the ball."
Burlington Central Rockets
Coach: Kyle Nelson (fifth year)
Conference: Big Northern (East)
Last year: 25-7, 10-0 BN-E (first), won Class 3A regional title
Key returnees: seniors Jeff Ehlers (1B/2B), Austin Jarvis (C), Shane Larkin (P/OF), Zack Romando (SS), Drew Stover (2B); juniors Nick Hahn (P/3B), Sam Klein (CF/P); sophomore Tanner Scott (OF/C)
Key newcomers: juniors Luke Fleming (P/OF/IF), Joey Lang (C/OF/P); sophomores Ray Hunnicutt (OF), Zach Ranney (P/IF)
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Outlook: The Rockets are poised for one of the best seasons in school history. With eight offensive starters returning from a team that went unbeaten in the Big Northern East and reached a Class 3A sectional final, Central's first sectional baseball title is a realistic goal. The bevy of returners is headed by Jarvis (.460, 6 HR), a two-time All-Area selection. Other top hitters returning include Scott (.426, 10 HR), Romando (.385 OBP, 14 runs), Ehlers (.303, 17 RBI), Stover (.333, 5 doubles), and Klein (.324, 3 HR, 10 steals). The Rockets should be solid defensively with all four up-the-middle starters returning. Hahn set the school record for pitching victories in his first varsity season as a sophomore, when he went 11-1 with a 2.23 ERA. He also hit .398 with 4 home runs and 27 RBI. Klein (2-2) and Ranney will be counted on to fill out the rotation. "I think we go legitimately three deep and we have some promising young arms after that," Central coach Kyle Nelson said. "We have pretty high expectations. The kids know they have some talent."
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach: Don Sutherland
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
Last year: 31-10-2, 12-3 FVC Valley (first), fourth in Class 4A
Key returnees: Seniors Eric Chandler (C/CF), Tyler Curran (P), Stu Gaulke (P/3B), Steve Hapanovich (OF), Steve Mihalik (P), Chris Waylock (SS)
Key newcomers: juniors Grey Bozeman (P/1B), Mike DeVoe (P/), Tyler Lau (IF/OF), Chris Leach (P/OF), Danny Liesten (OF), Matt Panek (P/OF), Alex Posey (P/1B), John Spoelstra (P), Michael Vilardo (3B/2B/OF), Keven Weber (P/IF), Alex Wians (C); sophomores Nick Beyer (C), Matt Byrne (IF)
Outlook: Coming off a fourth-place finish in Class 4A in 2009, the Trojans reload with three outstanding senior returnees and a junior class that won the Valley Division sophomore title with strong pitching. Cary-Grove will vie for its third straight Valley Division title behind Waylock (.451, 8 HR, 46 RBI). who is among the best shortstops in Illinois. Chandler (.422, 28 RBI) will either catch or play center field. Gaulke returns to lead the rotation, followed by Mihalik, Curran and juniors Panek, Weber, DeVoe, Spoelstra among others from a pitching-rich junior class. Vilardo is a talented hitter and steps in immediately as the Trojans' new cleanup man. "We have an outstanding nucleus coming back," veteran coach Don Sutherland said. "You really have to wonder if you can replace our pitchers, but I'm very encouraged by Mihalik and the pitching depth we have is very encouraging."
Crystal Lake South Gators
Coach: Brian Bogda
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
Last year: 21-13, 9-6 FVC Valley (tied for second)
Key returnees: seniors Mark Hode (P), Easton Kowalski (P/1B/OF), Alex Macaulay (OF), Billy Wright (P/IF), Josh Wruck (P)
Key newcomers: juniors Chris Hauser (SS), Ryan Price (IF/P); sophomore Nick Martin (1B/P)
Outlook: The Gators will compete in the talent-rich Valley Division of the FVC, armed with arms. "We have some strength with pitching," Gators coach Brian Bogda said. "We have some guys who can throw and keep us in games." Heading the rotation will be Kowalski, Price and Hode. Kowalski recently committed to Illinois-Springfield. Wright, Wruck, Price and Martin add depth to the pitching staff. Kowalski and Macaulay will try to pick up the void at the plate left by graduation. How well the Gators hit will determine their chances of making a run at Cary-Grove for the Valley title. "Hitting is something we're trying to get better at every day," Bogda said. "If we score some runs, our pitchers will keep us in games."
Dundee-Crown Chargers
Coach: Jon Sawyer
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
Last year: 8-24-1, 3-12 FVC Valley (sixth)
Key returnees: seniors Chris Sailor (P/IF), Nick Torres (IF), Zach Vodicka (P/OF); juniors Kirk Hanselmann (C/IF), Scott Nowicke (P/OF), Steve Schwartz (SS), Nick Spagnola (3B); sophomore Jake Romano (CF)
Key newcomers: juniors Mark Collingbourne (C), Jimmy Griffin (OF), Chris Lamprecht (OF), Mark Lodi (P/OF), Alex Thompson (P/IF), Cory Volberding (P/IF)
Outlook: The Chargers trotted out the youngest everyday lineup of any team in the area last season, yet they jelled well enough late in the year to reach a regional title game. "Last year we were kind of inconsistent in key spots and we feel with players returning at those spots we'll be able to play more solid defensively," coach Jon Sawyer said. The pitching staff returns two key performers in Vodicka and Sailor, followed in the rotation by Nowicke, Lodi and Volberding. "The players have set high goals for themselves," Sawyer added. "We think ours is one of the best baseball conferences in the state, so we'll find out quickly exactly where we stand."
Elgin Maroons
Coach: David Foerster (fifth year)
Conference: Upstate Eight
Last year: 4-28, 3-21 (11th)
Key returnees: seniors Chris Riggio (1B), Zack Frerichs (OF); junior Javier Cárdenas (2B)
Key newcomers: juniors Adrian Martinez (IF), Jacob Meyer (CF/P), D.J. Riggio (P), Jordan Smith (OF); sophomores Drew Bloomquist (P), Alex Doty (P/OF), Andrew Higdon (SS)
Outlook: The Maroons return four seniors on a roster heavy with 11 juniors and three sophomores. One of those sophomores, Higdon, will play shortstop. He went 6-for-7 in the season-opening doubleheader at Buffalo Grove on Wednesday. Meyer will be part of the rotation with Doty and Bloomquist, who will work his way into games when a broken finger heals in two to three weeks. Cárdenas started at shortstop last year and moves to second base. "They're all talented kids and they'll all play important parts," coach David Foerster said. "It'll be interesting to see how we play because we're real young. I think we'll get better as the year goes on and, hopefully, the young kids will be able to handle it."
Hampshire Whip-Purs
Coach: Steve Ream (12th year)
Conference: Big Northern (East)
Last year: 18-14, 6-4 (third)
Key returnees: Seniors Ryan Burke (P/SS), Ryan DeChant (3B/P), Ron Laramie (CF), Kent Larson (P),
Key newcomers: sophomore Luke Wians (P/RF); freshmen Tyler Crater (C/P), Shane Hernandez (1B/P)
Outlook: The Whip-Purs will give teams fits this season with the 1-2 pitching punch of Larson and Burke. Larson went 9-2 last season with a 1.46 ERA while Burke finished his junior season 3-2 with a 2.42 ERA. The question is how well can the program replace the majority of its key hitters from last season. DeChant (.378, 6 HR) and Burke (.345) are the only two returnees who hit above. 300 last season. "I'm playing with different lineups every day," Whips coach Steve Reams said. "I'm looking for kids who can hit, and that's how I'm going to decide my lineup. I think it's going to take two or three weeks to do that. The kids will get their opportunities." Two promising freshmen are sure to make an impact: Crater and Hernandez. Crater opened the season 5-for-9. Hernandez also played varsity basketball this season. Wians is a left-handed pitcher likely to earn a spot in the rotation.
Huntley Red Raiders
Coach: Andy Jakubowski (fifth year)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
Last year: 30-7-1, 12-3 FVC Fox (second), won Class 4A regional title
Key returnees: seniors Jeremy Ahillen (P), Tom Crohan (1B), Chris Klein (OF/P), Matt Morin (P), Phil Pupillo (C/P), Andre Sopena (2B), Matt Staab (P/3B), Matt Szytz (IF); junior Carlos Alvarez (OF/P)
Key newcomers: juniors Nick Bralich (1B), Nick Kostalek (P/OF), Jake Staab (P/3B); sophomores Jake Perkins (OF/P), Mark Merevick (OF), Justin Gundulach (IF/P); freshman Bryce Only (IF/OF/P)
Outlook: Coming off a school record for wins and the program's first regional title since 1987, the Red Raiders reload as they switch divisions in the Fox Valley Conference from the Fox to the big-school Valley. How well Huntley finishes will depend largely on how well its unproven pitching staff replaces those who won 28 of 30 victories in 2009. "We have 12 pitches on the roster that will give us quality innings and the ability to throw strikes," coach Andy Jakubowski said. "Chris Klein will anchor the staff this year." Ahillen, Morin, Staab will round out the rotation. Four returning starters will hit at the top of the order: Pupillo (.357, 11 doubles, 18 RBI), Klein (.345), Sopena (.368) and Alvarez (.438). Ahillen, Szytz and Crohan will step into starting roles. Only is a talented prospect and will have an impact at the plate and in the field.
Jacobs Golden Eagles
Coach: Eric Sanders (third year)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
Last year: 15-21, 7-8 FVC Valley (fourth)
Key returnees: seniors Ben Albano (OF), Josh Kranz (OF/P), Greg Leasure (P/C/3B), Kevin Olson (SS), Matt Schmidt (P/OF/1B), Anthony Virgilio (OF), Zach Bates (C/P); juniors Brett Kale (3B/P); sophomore Henry Gigeous (P/2B/3B)
Key newcomers: juniors Nate Andersen (2B/P/SS), Joe Ross (P/OF); sophomore Mark Self (C/1B/3B)
Outlook: A young team last year, Jacobs is on the precipice of emerging as a local power in 2010. "This is the year as a program when we're going to turn it around," coach Eric Sanders said. "These kids have now been involved with us for three years. Our expectations are understood and it mirrors what they want as well." Albano homered in his first two games. Gigeous, Schmidt, Andersen, Kale, Leasure, Self, Ross and Bates can all pitch. Overall, this is a smart team: 10 players scored 28 or better on the ACT. Consistent hitting was an issue last season, which Jacobs may have remedied by adding former Barrington coach and IHSBCA hall-of-famer Kirby Smith as hitting coach, one of six varsity coaches. "We have coaches dedicated to each individual aspect of the game: hitting, pitching, infielders, outfielders," Sanders said. "As a head coach I can't be more grateful for having that."
Larkin Royals
Coach: Matt Esterino (second year)
Conference: Upstate Eight
Last year: 22-17
Key returnees: seniors Reid Ellis (OF), Shane Glasgow (1B), Scott Harm (3B/P), Jake McCleary (P), Alex Wahl (OF)
Key newcomers: juniors Lee Jackson (2B), Victor Saldana (C), Miguel Villafane (P/IF), Cody Wahl (P/IF), Trevor Whitehead (OF); sophomore Drew Shore (SS/P)
Outlook: Larkin won a regional title last season and hopes to contend for another behind a pitching staff led by Harm, Bello, Villafane, McCleary and junior Cody Wahl. "We have nine or 10 guys who can pitch," Royals coach Matt Esterino said. Right fielder Ellis and Elgin transfer Jackson provide Larkin with speed at the top of the order, and Whitehead and Alex Wahl give the Royals a speedy outfield that can rob hitters of basehits. Glasgow, Harm, and Saldana have live bats and Shore takes over at shortstop. Defense will determine much for the Royals. "I think we'll be OK if we pick up the ball," Esterino said. "We're fast. We probably don't have as much power but we have good balance. We're going to need to play defense and throw a ton of strikes."
St. Edward Green Wave
Coach: Gene Belmonte
Conference: Suburban Christian (Gold)
Last year: 18-13, won Class 2A sectional final
Key returnees: seniors Jon Godfrey (3B/P), David Hoebbel (CF), T.J. Madzy (SS), Julian Ramirez (C), Jordan Torres (LF), Zack Von Ahnen (1B/P)
Key newcomers: senior Paul Bianchi (P); juniors Jack Sutherland (P), Zach Brewster (OF); sophomore Luke Duffy (IF/OF/P)
Outlook: The Green Wave got a taste of sectional life last year and they intend to take another bite with six positions players returning to a potent lineup. "Our slogan for the year is "the next step," coach Gene Belmonte said. "We'd like to take that next step, which would be the first-ever sectional championship for a St. Ed's baseball team. We've been getting better each year. Now we have to take that next step and become a sectional champion and beyond." To do so an unproven pitching staff of Godfrey, Bianchi, Duffy and Sutherland will have to replace the team's top three graduated starters. Expect slugfests at Wing Park this year: the Wave scored 32 runs in its first 3 games and lost 2 of them. "That's the biggest question of all. We're searching for who will be in the rotation," Belmonte said. "We have tons of hitting. We have a great offense. We're trying everybody pitching-wise to see what we've got."
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Jim Kating (fourth year)
Conference: Upstate Eight
Last year: 16-15, 13-11-1 UEC (seventh)
Key returnees: Seniors Drew Buddle (SS/P), Sam Jordt (P), Kyle Kinyon (C/3B), Jake Toppel (IF/P)
Key newcomers: juniors Dillon Gardner (OF), Robbie Green (OF), Nathan Halas (IF/P), Kenny Lowden (P/OF), John Menken (3B/C)
Outlook: This is the season Storm coach Jim Kating has been pointing to since the program began four years ago. The incoming juniors won no less than 20 games each of the last two seasons and join a varsity with led by All-Area performers Buddle and Kinyon. "For perhaps the first time in program history, we have legitimate upper class leadership with Buddle and Kinyon, who have over three years of varsity experience each," Kating said. "We have depth at all positions... The players are in control of this team's destiny."
Streamwood Sabres
Coach: Steve Diversey
Conference: Upstate Eight
Last year: 19-13, 16-9 UEC (third)
Key returnees: seniors Mike Diebold (P), Shawn Jordan (2B), Dylan Noncek (LF), Aric Thompson (CF); juniors Tim Cohen (C)
Key newcomers: juniors Blake Hunter (P/1B), Patrick Manning (IF/OF), Nate Pearson (SS), Bobby Post (P/1B); sophomore Richie Gorski (3B),
Outlook: The Sabres lose some key players up the middle, but another solid group of juniors and sophomores and a rotation anchored by four-year starter Diebold and Harris have the Sabres thinking big. "The drive and will to win is there. Failure is not an option for this team," coach Steve Diversey said. "This could be a special group, but we still have to go out there and earn respect. I think we started opening some eyes last year." Hunter and Gorski will be key additions to the pitching staff. Jordan moves to his natural position at second base. Cohen started at catcher as a sophomore. Thompson returns after being hurt most of last year.
Westminster Christian Warriors
Coach: Jeff Moeller (ninth year)
Conference: Northeast Athletic
Last year: 26-9
Key returnees: Seniors Mike Bruce (Sr. OF), Kevin Elder (So. P/3b/1b), Andrew Mason (jr/ ss/p/2B), Jake McGannon (C/1B/ SR), Mike O'Neill (Sr/ of), Mike Perez (P/SS/2B), Brandon Weingartner (Sr. IF/OF)
Key newcomers: Jordan Kalous (P/OF/IF, fr), Frank Oliver (C/1b, jr), Dylan Scully (so/of/p), Ben Stevenson (jr/ p/of/if)
Outlook: The Warriors are loaded with pitching and should dominate in their new conference, the Northeast Athletic. "By far we'll have the best pitching staff we've had as far as depth," coach Jeff Moeller said. The staff is headed by returning sophomores Perez and Elder and backed by Mason, Kalous, Stevenson, Scully and Weingartner. However, depth could be a problem for a team with a 12-man roster. They'll need all hands on deck against a ramped up schedule heavy on Class 3A opponents. "We're a small program and we have decent players at the lower levels, but we can't afford to get injured," Moeller said.
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<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/dupage.pdf">DuPage County players </a></li>
<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/fox.pdf">Fox Valley players </a></li>
<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/lake.pdf">Lake County players </a></li>
<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/northwest.pdf">Northwest suburban players </a></li>
<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/tri-cities.pdf">Tri-Cities players </a></li>
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