Baseball notes: St. Charles North, Huntley, DGN enter postseason as No. 1 seeds

St. Charles North baseball coach Todd Genke is no stranger to postseason tournament success.

Genke, whose teams have won 20-plus games 16 times over the last 18 seasons, guided the North Stars to a Class 4A state runner-up showing in 2019 and a third-place state finish in 2016. His teams have captured 9 regional titles.

“In my opinion, it’s the hardest sport to win when it comes to the playoffs because you run into arms,” said Genke. “One kid can beat you.”

The newly crowned DuKane Conference champions join Downers Grove North and Huntley as No. 1 seeds for this week’s Class 4A regional/sectional tournament.

Led by seniors Jackson Spring, Mike Buono, and Josh Caccia, the North Stars open postseason play against either Glenbard West or Proviso West on Wednesday at Addison Trail.

“I like where we’re at,” said Genke. “I like how we’re playing. I like how we’re hustling on the bases. I like how we’re defending and we’re pitching the ball well, too. We’re in a good spot.”

The North Stars would like nothing more than hosting its sectional tournament May 29-June 1 as a participant.

Downers Grove North, led by Jimmy Janicki (.408, 7 HR, 39 RBI), Jude Warwick (.402, 18 SB, 23 RBI, 12 2B, 6 3B), and pitcher Ben Llewellyn (1.79 ERA), captured the West Suburban Silver crown and will aim for its second straight regional title.

The Trojans open regional play against either host Bolingbrook or Plainfield East, with a possible rematch looming against Oswego East in the regional finals. Oswego East defeated the Trojans, 7-2, in last year’s sectional championship.

Huntley, meanwhile, heads to DeKalb attempting to extend its regional title streak to 8.

Coach Andy Jakubowski’s Red Raiders, led by senior pitcher Malachi Paplanus, open regional action against Rockford Jefferson Wednesday. A possible regional title showdown against the host Barbs could await on May 25.

Familiar Fox Valley foes Jacobs, Hampshire, and Dundee-Crown, plus Upstate Eight teams Streamwood, Larkin, and Elgin are also in the Hampshire sectional.

Waubonsie Valley, which reached the 20-win mark with its DVC tourney semifinal win over Naperville North on May 15, heads to the Plainfield North sectional as the No. 2 seed behind Downers Grove North.

The Warriors, led by outfielder Ben Ford, Riley Roberts, and Owen Roberts, open regional action at home Wednesday against either Metea Valley or East Aurora.

The Plainfield North sectional includes No. 3 seed Downers Grove South, Naperville Central, Hinsdale Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, and West Aurora.

Armed with the state’s best pitcher, Ryan Sloan, York looms as a threat as the No. 3 seed in the St. Charles North sectional.

Sloan, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior, is ranked as the 18th top prospect for the upcoming MLB Draft.

His statistics are eye-popping — 25 innings pitched, 1 earned run allowed, 3 walks, 55 strikeouts, 0.28 ERA, and 0.60 WHIP. The right-hander has held opposing batters to a .132 average.

Last season, Sloan recorded postseason shutouts against Wheaton North, St. Charles East, and Rockton Hononegah, as the Dukes placed 4th in the 4A state tournament.

“We hope to have the same success in the playoffs that we have had the previous two springs,” said York coach Dave Kalal. “Ryan was a big part of that success, and we hope he has the same opportunities to help us keep raising the bar for the York baseball program.

“Ryan is not about the stats — he is all about being the best teammate possible and winning. It has been a collaborative effort the last few seasons getting over the hump and winning a regional and beyond.

“Baseball is a funny game — we have proven over the last two postseasons (No. 10 seed in 2022 Elite 8 and No. 6 seed in 2023 Final Four) that your seed doesn’t really matter if you get hot at the right time. Your best arms throw once a week, your best hitters only come up to bat 3-4 times a game. It is truly a team game.”

Second-seeded Lake Park has been a formidable postseason foe, having won regional titles in 4 of the last 5 seasons — finishing second in the state in 2021 and third in 2018.

The Lancers, winners of 10 regional titles in 25 seasons under Dan Colucci, feature leadoff man Derek Ittner and the coach’s son - senior second baseman Ryan Colucci.

“I have been coaching Ryan for years since he was just starting out in Bloomingdale,” said Colucci. “I have really enjoyed being able to see him day in and day out on the field and in the weight room during his time at Lake Park.

“He grew up going on our spring trips and spending time in the dugout with the older players. Our relationship has been strengthened through this experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

If seedings hold, No. 4 Geneva could square off for the fourth time against St. Charles North in the sectional semifinals. However, the Vikings must get past rival Batavia in the regional opener. The Bulldogs swept the 3-game series earlier this season.

Bartlett, Willowbrook, Addison Trail, St. Charles East, Glenbard East, West Chicago, Wheaton Warrenville South, South Elgin, Wheaton North, Glenbard North, and Glenbard West are also participating in the St. Charles North sectional.

In Class 3A, Benet Academy is the top seed at Sycamore, while Burlington Central and Wheaton Academy each drew No. 2 sub-sectional seeds.

Seeking their first regional title in 4 years, the Redwings feature seniors Joe Coffey and Jeremy DeWilkins.

Burlington Central, led by Brady Gilroy, Michael Person, and Jake Johnson, bring momentum into postseason play after taking a pair of games against Huntley and also beating St. Charles North.

Wheaton Academy (28-4) and No. 3 Montini could meet in the regional finals on May 25 in Lombard. Led by senior 2-way standout Eric DeCosta, the Warriors defeated Montini, 10-7, in April.

DeCosta is hitting .300 with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, and 35 runs scored, while owning a 6-0 mound mark with a 3.06 ERA and 48 strikeouts.

“We have a really good regional and sectional,” said Warriors coach Justin Swider. “The biggest thing is just taking it one game at a time. Playoff baseball is hard being that it is one and done. Every team is going to be at their best, so you must be ready to play every single day. It is a mentality.”

Wheaton Academy moves up to 3A play after capturing a 2A regional title in 2023.

Familiar foes St. Francis (No. 4) and Marmion (No. 5) square off in regional semifinal action Wednesday night at Benedictine. The Cadets won both games against the Spartans earlier by identical 5-3 scores.

Kaneland, Timothy Christian, Glenbard South, and Fenton round out the sub-sectional field.

Meanwhile, Cary-Grove and Crystal Lake South are seeded sixth and eighth, respectively, in the Grayslake Central sectional.