Scouting DuPage County baseball
By Kevin Schmit
Addison Trail
Coach: Steve Gilliam.
Last year: 14-20, 8-10, fifth in West Suburban Gold; lost 3-2 in the Class 4A Wheaton North regional semifinals.
Top players: Anthony Milazzo, sr., P-1B; Todd Brocksome, sr., OF; Alex Vargas, sr., P-3B; Stephen Gilliam, sr., OF; Cody Mueller, sr., C; Paul Abbinante, sr., DH; Greg Schultz, jr., P-2B; Scott Babica, jr., OF; Anthony Catanese, jr., SS; Anthony Kalbus, jr., SS-2B; Trevor Bermingham, jr., IF-OF; Mike Imperiale, jr., 1B.
Scouting report: Gilliam, a longtime coach at Willowbrook, moves to District 88 rival Addison Trail. Anchored by returning ace Milazzo, a fourth-year varsity player, a core group of seniors will lead the way. Coming up to the varsity level, however, is a talented group of juniors who finished second in the Gold last year at the sophomore level. Milazzo claimed 5 victories last year, compiling a 3.13 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 56 innings. Vargas and Schultz will be key arms in conference play. Brocksome and Vargas each batted over .350 last season. They’ll spark the order with Babica and Catanese. “It’ll be important for us to get off to a good start,” Gilliam said.
Benet
Coach: Jeff Bonebrake.
Last year: 16-18, 9-7, fourth in East Suburban Catholic Conference; lost 4-3 to Naperville Central in the Class 4A Lockport regional semifinals.
Top players: Nick Moore, sr., SS; R.J. Gatto, sr., OF; Andrew Jachna, sr., 2B; Chris Sanderson, jr., P; Jim Lynch, jr., P-1B; Matt Dorsett, sr., C; Zac Lewinski, sr., OF; Jim O’Malley, sr., P-OF; Kevin Jendra, so., OF; Sam Santa Maria, jr., 3B; Pat McInerney, jr., 1B.
Scouting report: Early injuries aside, the Redwings are primed for a successful season. Santa Maria, who batted .297 and drove in 16 runs last year, is out until May with a shoulder injury. McInerney, solid on the mound and at the plate, is recovering from a back issue. Benet is still strong up the middle led by Moore, committed to Missouri, who hit .404 with 30 RBI. Gatto, a University of Chicago recruit, returns at leadoff and center field. Jachna and Dorsett add to the team’s strength. Much is expected of Sanderson on the mound after a good summer. Pitching depth must develop. “We’ve got some question marks, but this is a good group,” Bonebrake said.
Downers Grove North
Coach: Chad Isaacson.
Last year: 19-16, 10-8, fifth in West Suburban Silver; lost 1-0 to Waubonsie Valley in the Class 4A Plainfield North regional semifinals.
Top players: Anthony Ciango, sr., P-1B; Bryan Jagielo, sr., P-OF; Dave Wilk, sr., P-OF; Cory Treichel, sr., P-3B; Pat Lowery, jr., C; Alex Rateike, sr., 1B; Tom Wengren, sr., OF; Troy Suthard, so., 2B-P; Matt Underdown, jr., OF.
Scouting report: Strength rests with a pair of Division I-caliber pitchers. Ciango, who last year had 3 wins and a 3.76 ERA, is headed to Northern Illinois, and Jagielo, who pitched at the end of last season, is committed to Oakland. Wilk and Treichel deepen a staff ready to compete in the Silver. The lineup returns some pop with Treichel, who hit .380, Wilk and Jagielo. The Trojans also will benefit from a speed infusion with the addition of Suthard and Underdown. Even with the graduation of all-stater Eric Jagielo, now at Notre Dame, the Trojans have the capability to produce runs in multiple ways. “We’ll definitely miss Eric, but I think we’ll still be able to score some runs,” Isaacson said.
Downers Grove South
Coach: Darren Orel.
Last year: 31-6, 17-1, first in West Suburban Gold; lost 3-0 to Lincoln-Way Central in the Class 4A Downers Grove South regional final.
Top players: Nick Burdi, sr., P-OF-1B; Matt Wivinis, sr., P-3B; Jacob Wolf, sr., OF; Kyle Engel, sr., 2B; Nick Tenerelli, sr., C; Nick Vanek, jr., P-1B; Max Vykouk, sr., P; Brett Bialek, jr. DH.
Scouting report: You’d be hard-pressed to find a better 1-2 pitching punch than Louisville-bound Burdi and Kansas State-bound Wivinis. Burdi, who last year went 7-0 with a 0.93 ERA and 78 strikeouts, has been clocked in the mid-90s and is likely to be a high draft pick. Wivinis went 5-1 with a 1.40 ERA and batted .400. The Mustangs suffered a setback when No. 3 starter John Dillon and outfielder Clayton Johnson were lost for the year with ACL injuries. Depth is an issue, although a powerful sophomore class is poised to contribute. Wolf, a Miami of Ohio recruit, hit .405 with 7 homers and 36 RBI. Engel, who hit .402, is a third-year starter. “We won’t have the same offense, but our pitching and defense should carry us,” Orel said.
Fenton
Coach: Justin Moriarty.
Last year: 12-20, 6-9, fifth in Metro Suburban Conference; lost 11-1 to Glenbard South in the Class 3A Glenbard South regional semifinals.
Top players: David Savoia, sr., P; Danny Diaz, sr., OF; Matt Swartz, sr., C; Kyle Moriarty, sr., 1B-3B; Roman Castellanos, jr., 1B; Augie Castellanos, jr., OF-P; Rigo Trujillo, jr., P-OF; Colin Wallace, jr., SS; Garrett Alden, sr., P; Juan Avila, sr., OF.
Scouting report: Justin Moriarty, a 2006 Fenton graduate who played at North Central College, becomes Fenton’s third coach in as many years. The Bison will lean on a senior class of good athletes who had success in football, qualifying for the playoffs, and basketball, winning their first regional title in 35 years. The Bison thrive on speed at the top of the order with Diaz, Augie and Roman Castellanos, and Wallace. Without much offense returning the lineup must create runs to support a pitching staff short on experience beyond Savoia, who brings back 3 wins and 48 innings from a year ago. “The one thing I’m stressing is that we want to play the game the right way,” Moriarty said.
Glenbard East
Coach: John Walters.
Last year: 4-26, 3-18, eighth in DuPage Valley Conference; lost 3-2 to Bartlett in the Class 4A Willowbrook regional quarterfinals.
Top players: Pat Walsh, jr., 3B-P; Max Oppenheimer, sr., SS; Brian Kohn, sr., 2B; Mike Dexl, sr., OF; John Morris, sr., OF; Will Koski, sr., P; Patrick Kurtz, sr., OF; Steve Kinney, sr., 1B; Nick Vichio, so., C; Zach Sadowski, jr., P.
Scouting report: The Rams expect improvement in all phases as five returning starters bring experience and depth to a team looking to rebound from last year. Walsh, once he gets his baseball legs after an extended basketball season, enters as the No. 1 pitcher. He’s backed by Koski and Sadowski on a staff of about 11 pitchers, although many are inexperienced. Oppenheimer, Kohn and Dexl, who hit .450 last summer, strengthen the defense up the middle of the field. The Rams aim to take advantage of their overall flexibility, but consistency across the board — pitching, hitting and defensively — is the primary goal for Walters. “I like our club, but we need to prove ourselves on the field,” Walters said.
Glenbard North
Coach: Rich Smelko.
Last year: 20-15, 11-10, fourth in DuPage Valley Conference; lost 4-2 to York in the Class 4A Elk Grove regional semifinals.
Top players: Andrew Bergmann, sr., P; Brandon Clark, sr., C; Will Petrosky, sr., P; Jake Kline, sr., 3B; Evin Natick, sr., OF; Nick Pirok, sr., P; Matt Frawley, so., P-OF; Mark Ng, sr., OF; Josh Shine, jr., OF-C; Bryan Polowy, jr., P-OF; Ryan Tintera, jr., IF.
Scouting report: Bergmann, who last season went 8-5 with a 1.79 ERA and 80 strikeouts against only 9 walks in 82 innings, returns for his third varsity season as the ace of a pitching staff that should be the main strength of the team. Petrosky, Pirok, who returns 30 innings and a 3.62 ERA, and Frawley also bring talent to the mound as the Panthers look to break through in the top half of the DuPage Valley with a pool of at least six quality pitchers. Kline, Clark — who hit .368 with 6 homers and 36 RBI — and a healthy Natick are back in the heart of the order. Keener and Ng will set the table with their speed at the top. “We expect our pitching to lead us,” Smelko said. “If they do I think we’ll be pretty successful this season.”
Glenbard South
Coach: Mike Riley.
Last year: 17-19, 11-10 in Western Sun Conference; lost 8-1 to Montini in the Class 3A Glenbard South regional final.
Top players: Ben Gaspar, sr., P-OF-1B; Mitch Gasbarro, jr., SS; Ryan Schlegel, sr., OF; Billy Strohl, sr., P-1B; Sean Bailey, sr., OF; Aaron Beese, sr., 2B; Roger Dyrda, jr., P-3B; Justin Joseph, so., 2B; Zach Bava, jr., C; Carl Sanders, so., OF-P; Ethan Gasbarro, so., IF-OF-P.
Scouting report: While uncertainty lies with a group that’s thin on experience with only five seniors, there is plenty of young talent to draw upon as the Raiders enter their first season in the Metro Suburban Conference. At full strength the pitching staff has question marks, but the questions are more numerous with No. 1 pitcher Gaspar, who went 3-5 with a 2.60 ERA last season, out until early April with a wrist injury. Dyrda, Sanders and Strohl have potential, but they return no varsity innings. Gasbarro, who hit .318 with 17 RBI, is also surrounded by young talent in the batting order. Dyrda, Joseph and Bava aim to contribute. “There’s a lot to look forward to with this group,” Riley said.
Glenbard West
Coach: Brian Wojtun.
Last year: 15-21, 8-10, sixth in West Suburban Silver; lost 4-3 to St. Charles East in the Class 4A St. Charles East regional semifinals.
Top players: Ben Krusen, sr., P-C; Tom Alt, sr., 1B-3B; Mike Laning, sr., SS; Bob Targo, sr., DH-3B-1B; Garrett Stalker, sr., P; Dan Wawczak, sr., P; Dan Kiel, jr., OF-P; Ryan Kavanaugh, jr., OF-P; Myles Purdom, jr., 2B; Tyler Curtis, jr., P-OF.
Scouting report: Tremendous athleticism is a good start for the Hilltoppers, who could surprise opponents in the powerful West Suburban Silver. Krusen is the team’s top pitcher after last season, when he led the team with 5 wins, a 2.19 ERA and 45 innings. Several arms are competing for innings, including Stalker, Wawczak, Kiel and Kavanaugh. Glenbard West has some holes to fill in the batting order but Alt, who batted .370 with 30 RBI, Laning and Krusen combined for 34 doubles, 5 homers and 62 RBI. If the Hilltoppers find table-setters at the top of the order they’ll have the offense rolling. “We have some work to do, but there’s some potential with this group,” Wojtun said.
Hinsdale Central
Coach: Justin Cronin.
Last year: 18-14, 11-7, tied for second in West Suburban Silver; lost 7-2 to Downers Grove South in the Class 4A Downers South regional semifinals.
Top players: Matt Anderson, sr., SS; Chris Bobo, sr., P-1B; Pat Foley, sr., C-DH; Jacques Camalick, sr., OF; Matt Owen, sr., IF-C; Sean Houlihan, sr., IF; Phil Zarcone, sr., OF; John Spacapan, sr., P-3B.
Scouting report: Cronin takes the helm after coaching on the program’s lower levels. After spending last season with the sophomores, Cronin’s most familiar with a junior class loaded with talent. The senior class, though, is headed by one of the area’s top players in Anderson, an Illinois State recruit who last year hit .442 with 5 home runs and 36 RBI. With Camalick, Foley and Bobo surrounding Anderson in the batting order, the Red Devils should continue to boast a potent lineup. The team is deep with pitching, although thin experience rests with the 35 combined innings returning from Spacapan and Bobo. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to coach this group,” Cronin said.
Hinsdale South
Coach: Kraig Conyer.
Last year: 9-25, 5-13, sixth in West Suburban Gold; lost 19-6 to Plainfield Central in the Class 4A Plainfield North regional quarterfinals.
Top players: Chris Massimillian, sr., OF; Sean Beesley, jr., OF; Tyler Langosch, sr., OF-P; Emmanuel Morris, jr., IF; P.J. Schuster, jr., IF-P; Nick Sarocco, sr., IF; Eric Burger, sr., IF-P; Kirk Wells, sr., OF; Andy Nkansah, sr., P.
Scouting report: Seven starters return with hopes of vastly increasing the number of wins from last year when only five seniors were on the team. Langosch, the team’s No. 1 pitcher who won 3 games and posted a 3.73 ERA, Massimillian, Morris and Schuster each return for their third varsity season. Beesley, up as a sophomore last year, sparks the lineup from the top after batting .371 with 19 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Langosch, Schuster and Burger, the lone Gold pitcher to beat Downers South last year, return more than 100 innings on the mound to make the Hornets much more formidable in Gold action. “A lot of these guys have the experience from last year and want to improve,” Conyer said.
Immaculate Conception
Coach: Dan Holleman.
Last year: 30-12, 13-3, first in Suburban Christian Gold; lost 6-4 to Illinois Valley Central in the Class 2A third-place game.
Top players: Jose Godinez, sr., P-C; Dan Ribando, jr., OF; Jon Losurdo, jr., IF; Robert Rivera, sr., 1B; Conor Hendricks, sr., OF; Jackson Faut, jr., P-1B; Brian Harvey, jr., P-IF; Charlie Pulkownik, jr., P-OF; Clark Brinkman, fr., P-3B.
Scouting report: The Knights suffered key graduation losses from the best team in program history, but there’s enough talent remaining to make another deep playoff run and defend the SCC Gold title. Godinez is a fourth-year varsity player and returning all-stater who batted .464 with 7 homers and 52 RBI while going 7-4 with a 1.94 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 61 innings. Rivera, Losurdo and Ribando, who hit .299 and drove in 23 runs in an all-conference campaign, also return as starters. If Faut and Harvey step up pitching, the Knights will pick up where they left off last year. “We did it with pitching and defense last year,” Holleman said. “This year our hitting will be our strength.”
Lake Park
Coach: Dan Colucci.
Last year: 21-17, 13-12, seventh in Upstate Eight Conference; lost 7-6 to Wheaton North in the Class 4A St. Charles East sectional semifinals.
Top players: Zach Tsiodras, sr., 3B-1B; Brandon Boyle, sr., SS; Kevin Steger, sr., P; Jake Pygman, sr., OF-P; Dean Kise, sr., 2B; Chad Harvey, sr., P; Cody Daily, sr., P; John Schram, jr., C-P; Nick Turner, jr., OF; Tommy Spear, so., C.
Scouting report: The Lancers have a different look without the 15 seniors who last season helped the program win a regional title. For all the talent lost, though, the Lancers should still be able to hit. Tsiodras returns a .451 batting average with 30 RBI. Boyle, Pygman and Schram, a top junior, bolster the lineup. The pitching staff suffered significant graduation losses, although Steger posted a 3.42 ERA last year. Pygman and Harvey move up in the rotation while Schram, who throws in the upper 80s, is primed to close. With an 18-player roster and four who only pitch, the Lancers must stay healthy. “These kids got a taste of success and they want it for themselves,” Colucci said.
Lisle
Coach: Pete Meyer.
Last year: 24-10, 12-4, first in Interstate Eight Conference; lost 5-3 to Immaculate Conception in the Class 2A Lisle sectional semifinals.
Top players: Will DeCraene, sr., C-OF; Nick Thome, sr., P-3B-1B; Ed Kretch, sr., P-1B-3B; Ryan Burlison, sr., SS-P; Ryan Van Volkenburg, so., P-OF; Stephen Accetturo, so., IF-OF-P; Kazim Khan, jr., P-C-OF; Ty Howell, jr., 1B-OF; Brian Czyl, so., 2B; Nick Olson, jr., OF.
Scouting report: Rebuilding from the graduation loss of all-everything Jon Surber won’t be easy. Much of last year’s team that won conference and regional titles, though, is back. Van Volkenburg was all-IEC as a freshman after batting .396 and going 5-3 with a 3.11 ERA. DeCraene is a fourth-year varsity member while Thome, who hit .307 with 5 home runs and drove in 27 runs, enters his third varsity season. A key is Burlison, a transfer who will bat in the middle of the order and slides in as one of the team’s top pitchers with Van Volkenburg and Khan. “People might think we won’t be strong because of what we lost, but we’ve still got a pretty good core,” Meyer said.
Metea Valley
Coach: Craig Tomczak.
Last year: 25-6 at sophomore level, 19-5, second in Upstate Eight Conference.
Top players: Billy Sheeren, jr., P-1B; Will Doiron, jr., OF-DH; Mike Fitzgerald, so., 3B-1B; Kenny Obendorf, jr., P-2B-SS; Ryan Solomon, jr., OF; Jake Charuk, jr., SS.
Scouting report: A good mix of juniors and sophomores plan to hit the ground running in the Mustangs’ first varsity season. Tomczak, who coached at the sophomore level at Waubonsie Valley before moving to Metea, heads a program that found immediate success last year at the sophomore level and in the summer. Unknowns abound for the Mustangs because of the obvious lack of varsity experience. One thing Tomczak does know is that Sheeren will be the team’s No. 1 pitcher. Four other pitchers will be in the mix to start. Charuk is poised to lead off, while the rest of the lineup is pretty flexible. Without a senior class depth could be an issue. “It’s going to take a couple of years to get that depth,” Tomczak said. “But just because we’re younger, that’s not going to be an excuse to not go out there and compete.”
Montini
Coach: Bill Leeberg.
Last year: 17-18, 8-8, tied for fourth in Suburban Christian Blue; lost 6-4 in the Class 3A Johnsburg sectional semifinals.
Top players: Kurt Gitchell, jr., C; Frank Montalto, sr., 3B; Mike Davis, sr., SS-P; Jared Jayne, jr., P-2B; Tom Ruopp, sr., 1B; Anthony Reaber, sr., P; Kurtis Ligocki, jr., P; Ben Dobosenski, so., P-OF; Dan Smego, sr., P; Marco Sarno, sr., P; Mike Mangialardi, jr., P; Tom Lentine, sr., OF.
Scouting report: Last season’s regional title is the kickoff point for this year’s team. Experience especially bolsters the depth and defense of the team, starting at catcher where Gitchell’s a pro at throwing out runners. The pitching staff could be tough with Reaber, who returns the most innings and posted a 3.18 ERA last year, joining Sarno and Jayne as experienced arms. The Broncos, however, also look for big things from Dobosenski as a sophomore and Ligocki. Davis and Ruopp return .300 batting averages while Jayne offers speed at the top of the order. “The way we ended last year was pretty exciting,” Leeberg said. “Hopefully it carries over.”
Naperville Central
Coach: Bill Seiple.
Last year: 38-4, 20-1, first in DuPage Valley Conference; beat St. Rita 10-4 in the Class 4A state championship game.
Top players: Dan Ludwig, sr., P; Conor Philbin, sr., OF-1B; Nick Ryan, jr., SS; Ian Lewandowski, jr., P-IF; Kody Willis sr., P; Mike Riordan, sr., OF; Derrick Avers, sr., 3B; John Wunderlich, sr., C; Brian Schiemann, so., C; Ross Murphy, jr., 2B; Bryce Kirk, jr., OF; Jimmy Nashert, so., P-OF.
Scouting report: The Redhawks graduated nearly their entire lineup and their ace pitcher from last year’s state title team. Remaining, though, is one of the state’s top pitchers in Belmont-bound Ludwig, last year’s No. 2 who went 9-0 with a 1.74 ERA and 91 strikeouts against 9 walks. Philbin, who hit .350, and Ryan are the only players who saw significant playing time last year, leaving many spots to fill. Lewandowski, who went 3-1 with a 3.75 ERA as a sophomore, Nashert and Willis look to emerge on the mound. The pitching may need to carry the load as the offense develops. “There are a lot of new faces, but these guys can play,” Seiple said. “We’ve just got to settle into the season.”
Naperville North
Coach: Carl Hunckler.
Last year: 30-9, 17-4, second in DuPage Valley Conference; lost 7-1 to Naperville Central in the Class 4A Plainfield South sectional semifinals.
Top players: Mariano Long, jr., 3B-P; Tyler Hogan, jr., C-3B; Tyler Gehr, jr., OF; Dave Considine, sr., P-OF-IF; Connor Adamski, jr., 3B-C; Alex Moss, jr., 1B; Nick Solak, so., SS; Jack Braakman, sr., P; Garrett Borg, jr., P.
Scouting report: Little experience returns from last season’s 30-win team, although Long represents one of the top players in the DuPage Valley. He batted .351 with 18 RBI as a sophomore, but his varsity at-bats are more than the rest of the team combined. Gehr, Moss and Adamski are a few of the hitters poised to step up. Long also will be the Huskies’ lead pitcher on a staff that is inexperienced but deep. Look for Considine, Braakman and Borg, who went 6-0 on the sophomore level, to help fill the pitching void. Like last year, Hunckler said he may work with pitching by committee to take advantage of his numerous quality arms. “We’re thin in spots, but we’re always able to hold our own,” Hunckler said.
Neuqua Valley
Coach: Robin Renner.
Last year: 21-12, 16-8, fourth in Upstate Eight Conference; lost 11-1 to Lockport in the Class 4A Lockport regional semifinals.
Top players: Mike Bogar, sr., SS-P; Drew Bailey, sr., 2B; Andrew Skowronski, sr., 1B; Nick Oleskowicz, sr., OF; Kevin Hodgman, sr., P; Alan Foresta, sr., P; Chris Medhurst, sr., OF; Jeff Samuel, sr., C; Jack Amaro, jr., OF; Tanner Giesel, jr., 3B; Jason Avallone, sr., P; Nick Blackburn, jr., P; Alex Bucz, sr., P; Ryan O’Keefe, sr., DH.
Scouting report: The program’s first summer Elite Eight trip has the Wildcats confident, especially with the valuable experience gained by the pitching staff. Hodgman, who went 5-3 last year, Foresta, Avallone and Bucz bring back quality innings. Blackburn was key in the summer. The solid defense is led by what Renner calls one of his best double-play combinations with Bogar and Bailey. Medhurst returns a .383 batting average with 21 RBI. O’Keefe and Bogar add to the lineup while Amaro, already committed to Purdue, is also ready to contribute. “We’re very solid, but we need some guys to step up,” Renner said.
St. Francis
Coach: Rich Janor.
Last year: 20-14, 8-8, third in Suburban Christian Blue; lost 5-2 to Fenton in the Class 3A Glenbard South regional quarterfinals.
Top players: Eric Stout, sr., P-OF; Jack Roback, sr., P-OF; K.C. Zimmerman, sr., C; Ryan Acciavatti, sr., 3B; Tom Ameche, jr., 2B; Scott Purdom, jr., OF; Joel Birch, sr., SS; Eric Bacon, jr., OF; Colin Wons, sr., P-OF-DH; Austin Wilkens, jr., IF-P; Lonnie Hicks, jr., 1B; Preston Preusser, jr., OF.
Scouting report: The Spartans are primed for a breakout year behind the strength of one of the SCC’s top pitching combos. They’ll contend for the conference title behind Butler-bound Stout, one of the area’s top returning hitters and pitchers. Last year he went 4-2 with a 2.37 ERA and batted .447 with 29 RBI. Roback won five games last year and returns 52 innings of work. Birch, Wons and Bacon add more pitching hope to the SCC title chase. Acciavatti, Wons and Birch return .300 batting averages. Wons, Birch and Stout combined for 37 stolen bases. “We’ve got a nice combination of depth, senior leadership and competition for positions,” Janor said.
Timothy Christian
Coach: Jim Snoeyink.
Last year: 3-25, 0-15, sixth in Metro Suburban Conference; lost 14-4 to Immaculate Conception in the Class 2A Walther Lutheran regional semifinals.
Top players: Troy Ellens, sr., P-OF; Kevin Hansberger, sr., P-3B-OF; John Bowman, sr., P-3B-OF; Jon Penczak, sr., 1B; Ben Cook, sr., 2B-OF-C; Matt Robinson, jr., OF-P; Chris Ridolphi, jr., P-SS; Aaron Snoeyink, jr., P-1B; Alex Zarek, jr., P-OF; Sam Meyer, jr., P-C; Brandon Kottke, jr., OF; Justin VanderNaald, so., IF-P; Phil Stanton, so., IF-P.
Scouting report: With third-year starters Ellens and Hansberger, the Trojans hope to ease the sting of last season’s rough campaign. Returning a combined 52 innings, Ellens and Hansberger will be the team’s top pitchers and they’re backed by Ridolphi and Aaron Snoeyink. After hitting a cumulative .238 last season, much of the batting order remains a question mark. Robinson, however, returns a .301 average from his sophomore season. The Trojans also have high hopes for sophomores VanderNaald and Stanton. “If we get consistent pitching we’ll be able to get more wins,” coach Snoeyink said.
Waubonsie Valley
Coach: Dan Fezzuoglio.
Last year: 25-10, 20-4, second in Upstate Eight Conference; lost 2-1 to Plainfield North in the Class 4A Plainfield North regional final.
Top players: Ryan Vega, sr., SS; Mike Murphy, sr., P-OF; Eric Josupait, sr., C; Harry Vickers, sr., 3B; Connor Readnor, sr., 1B; Kyle Limanowski, sr., OF-P; Joey Cuzzone, sr., Chris Anderson, sr., OF-P; Matt Risch, sr., P; Brian Deal, sr., P; James Palasz, jr., P-IF-DH; Mitch Stefani, jr., 2B-P.
Scouting report: Another strong season appears on tap for the Warriors, who overcame a rough start to last year by winning 20 of their last 23 games. Murphy is among the area’s top pitchers after going 6-3 as a junior with a 1.94 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 58 innings. Pitching experience is thin after Murphy, but there’s talent and depth with Palasz, Stefani and others. The top of the batting order boasts a wealth of experience. Josupait, Murphy, Vega and Vickers return nearly 400 at-bats. Vega was an All-Area pick last year after hitting .423 with 38 RBI. “I’m hoping we can get off to a good start to the season and take off from there,” Fezzuoglio said.
West Chicago
Coach: Dan McCarthy.
Last year: 13-21, 4-17, seventh in DuPage Valley Conference; lost 1-0 to Geneva in the Class 4A Geneva regional semifinals.
Top players: Dane Sauer, sr., SS; Jerrick Habecker, sr., 2B; Tom Krone, sr., OF; Colton Reif, sr., P; Hunter Serrato, sr., 1B; Matt Zajac, sr., 3B-P; Scott Danes, sr., P; Sean Paler, sr., OF-P; Joe Loftus, jr., P; Josh Gimre, jr., P-IF; Justin Mundt, jr., OF; Nick Driscoll, jr., 2B; Zach Abraham, jr., C.
Scouting report: Strength up the middle starts with Sauer, committed to Eastern Illinois, after last season he batted .300 with 3 homers and 24 RBI. Krone and Habecker also hit for average, as did Serrato in limited time. Without a clear-cut No. 1 pitcher to lean on, McCarthy plans to use a consistent four-man rotation among his balanced arms. Reif, Danes and Habecker return a combined 80 innings, and Loftus deepens the staff in his first varsity season. Big strikeout numbers won’t be common, but a good defensive group is ready to step up. “We don’t have guys on the mound who will dominate,” McCarthy said, “but if we pitch to contact I think we’ll make plays.”
Wheaton Academy
Coach: Brad Byrne.
Last year: 21-13, 10-6, third in Suburban Christian Gold; lost 7-5 to Montini in the Class 3A Glenbard South regional semifinals.
Top players: Tate Fritz, sr., 1B-DH; Trevor Swaney, jr., 3B-P; Alex McNally, jr., C-P; Drew Sandberg, jr., 2B; Ryan Kramer, sr., P-DH; Matt Brandys, jr., P-3B-1B; John McKenna, so., SS; Jake Cousins, so., P-SS-OF; Nate Jones, sr., P.
Scouting report: A young lineup — only five seniors are on the roster — still expects a 20-win campaign and deep playoff run with Byrne, the pitching coach the last four years, taking the helm. Six starters return headed by Fritz, who batted .430 last year with 14 home runs and 70 RBI. Swaney, an all-conference pick, hit .340 with 31 RBI and also leads the pitching staff. With McNally bringing back a .375 average and 31 RBI, the middle of the order is stacked. It gets even better with the addition of Brandys, a transfer who also looms as one of the team’s top pitchers. Kramer notched a 2.80 ERA last year. “This is the most talented pitching staff we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Byrne said.
Wheaton North
Coach: Dan Schoessling.
Last year: 29-10, 14-7, third in DuPage Valley Conference; lost 2-1 to Huntley in the Class 4A Rockford supersectional.
Top players: Jeff Schalk, sr., 1B; Eric Scandora, sr., P; Ed Norris, jr., P; Craig Berberich, sr., P; Dale Trimble, sr., OF; Jake Schieber, jr., OF; Nick Barry, sr., DH-1B; Reece Butler, sr., 2B; Ryan Kent, so., OF; John Peltz, so., 3B-P; Micah Penn, jr., OF; Coleton Hrgich, jr., OF; Tom Colletti, so., P.
Scouting report: With one of the state’s top hitters in Schalk, an Alabama-Birmingham recruit, the Falcons are ready to compete for the DVC title and beyond. Schalk hit .325 last year with 8 home runs and 41 RBI, power he improved upon in the summer. Schieber, back from injury, bolsters the lineup along with Barry and Butler, who batted .343 with 26 RBI. The Falcons return 14 wins headed by Scandora, who went 7-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 70 innings. Norris, who posted a 2.59 ERA, and Berberich return 80 innings. Colletti looks to contribute as a sophomore. “We’re relying on some inexperience, but we feel good about what we have out there,” Schoessling said.
WW South
Coach: Tim Brylka.
Last year: 17-19, 9-12, fifth in DuPage Valley Conference; lost 5-0 to Lake Park in the Class 4A Willowbrook regional semifinals.
Top players: R.J. Hoshell, sr., OF-P; Jeremy Rhoades, sr., OF-P; Jason Schuman, sr., P; Steve Lemm, sr., P-OF; Parker Ryndak, sr., P-SS; Kevin Bridges, sr., OF; Zach Jarosz, sr., 2B; Nate Fillers, sr., 3B; Andrew Hjellming, jr., P; Adam Dansdill, jr., C; Rich O’Neil, so., C.
Scouting report: This year’s senior class won the DuPage Valley title at the freshman and sophomore levels. And with one of the better pitching staffs in the DVC, the Tigers should be in the mix for this year’s conference title. Schuman, Lemm and Rhoades each won 4 or 5 games last year and combined for 130 strikeouts. Ryndak and Hjellming add more talent to the staff. Many of the team’s top hitters also return highlighted by Hoshell, a third-year varsity player who batted .353 last season. Ryndak, who hit .314 with 15 RBI, and Rhoades bring back 150 at-bats. “We’ve got new guys in key positions,” Brylka said. “If we can play some defense, we’ll be in pretty good shape.”
Willowbrook
Coach: Vic Wisner.
Last year: 25-11, 13-5, second in West Suburban Gold; lost 11-4 to Bartlett in the Class 4A Willowbrook regional semifinals.
Top players: Fred Dobry, sr., OF; Danny Fahlgren, sr., C; Danny Johnson, sr., P; Matt Tiberi, sr., P; Tyler Adams, sr., SS; Tom Van Kooten, jr., P-3B; Nick Petruzzi, jr., 1B; Zac Venchus, jr., P; Dom Battaglia, so., OF; Conrad Keefe, sr., DH-1B; Alex Aiello, sr., 2B.
Scouting report: In his 11th year in the program — five years on the varsity staff and six at the sophomore level — Wisner, a 1985 Willowbrook grad, takes over for Steve Gilliam, now Addison Trail’s coach. Much of last year’s team graduated, but the Warriors do have a rock behind the plate in Fahlgren, a third-year starter who hit .434 last year with 29 RBI. Adams, Dobry and Petruzzi, who hit 7 homers in the summer, also will hit behind Battaglia, a speedster at the top of the lineup. Tiberi and Johnson return 55 innings on the mound. The pitching of Van Kooten and Venchus will be a key to competing in the Gold. “We’ll put ourselves in a position to win games,” Wisner said.
York
Coach: Dave Kalal.
Last year: 23-14, 11-7, tied for second in West Suburban Silver; lost 8-5 to St. Charles North in the Class 4A Elk Grove regional final.
Top players: Joe Paparone, sr., OF-P; Joe Boozell, sr., 1B; Joey Grollo, sr., 3B; Ryan Hinchley, sr., P; Jake Rzeszutko, jr., 2B; Kyle Burr, jr., C; Matt Williams, sr., OF; Kyle Leone, sr., C; Andrew Garcia, sr., P; Chris Jennings, sr., P; Phil Ganser, sr., IF; River Pitlock, so., SS-P; Matt DiFrancesca, jr., IF; Mike Shank, jr., OF; Mike Trumbull, jr., OF.
Scouting report: If the Dukes hope to repeat last year’s success, especially in the rugged Silver, they’ll need to replace six graduated pitchers who combined for 19 of the team’s 23 wins and nearly 200 innings. Hinchley is the most-experienced pitcher with 30 innings returning. Paparone, in addition to helping on the mound with Jennings, returns 4 home runs and 28 RBI from last year. Boozell hit .395 with 23 RBI. Even with the graduation losses, 11 experienced players return for the Dukes. “We’re going to be pretty solid,” Kalal said. “It’s just a matter of if the pitching comes around.”