Baseball: Scouting the 2026 Fox Valley season
Aurora Central Catholic
Coach: Rich Swann, fourth season, 10th overall at ACC (2002-2007).
Last season’s record: 14-17 overall, 5-9 in the CCL White (fifth place).
Top returning players: Brodie Curry, sr., P/OF; Tyler Davis, sr., P/1B; Nick Czerak, jr., SS/P; Luke Torrence, soph., P/IF; Leo Corral, soph., IF/OF; Matthew Guzauskas, jr., P.
Key newcomers: Luke Janosek, jr., C/IF; Marcos Pena, jr., C/IF; Grant Bohr, sr., OF/P; Joaquin Martinex, jr., 1B/P; Jacob Ginnochio, jr., P; Cole Wolf, soph., P/OF; Joey Guerrero, jr., OF.
Worth noting: The Chargers return three of their top four pitchers from last season, including Davis (36 innings pitched, 2 wins, 57 Ks), Torrence (4-3, 23 innings pitched, 31 Ks), and Guzauskas (4-3, 40 innings pitched, 3.68 ERA, 56 Ks). “We will lean on that experience early,” said Swann. Curry, a 4-year starter, hit .369 with 3 home runs, 4 triples, 9 doubles, and 27 RBI last season. Czerak (.276, 19 RBI, 7 doubles, 10 stolen bases) and Guzauskas are 3-year starters. Davis (Wabash Valley commit), Torrence, and Corral will be joined by a host of juniors and sophomores competing for time along with senior Grant Bohr (20 stolen bases). “Finding and accepting roles on the team will determine how successful we can be,” said the coach. Bohr, Curry, and Wolf are all cousins.
Aurora Christian
Coach: Andy Zorger, 18th season.
Last season’s record: 21-15 overall, 4-8 in the Chicagoland Christian (seventh place).
Top returning players: Noah Hensley, sr., IF; Cristian Huerta, sr., OF; Owen Niedzwiecki, sr., OF/P; Nolan Robertson, sr., P/C; Zach Zappia, sr., IF/P; Preston Morel, jr., IF/OF.
Key newcomers: Adan Sweeney, jr., P/IF; Jackson Zorger, jr., OF/IF; Colin Gary, soph., OF/P; Noah Zappia, soph., P/1B.
Worth noting: The Eagles expect to contend in the competitive Chicagoland Christian Conference thanks in part to the return of college-bound Hensley (Aurora University), Robertson (St. Norbert), Niedzwiecki (Elgin Community), Zach Zappia (Illinois Wesleyan), and Huerta (St. Xavier). “We have a solid core of seniors returning to lead us this season,” said Zorger. “Team chemistry looks to be a strength for us. We return our top four pitchers in terms of innings from 2025. Defensively, we should be strong overall, and our lineup looks to be very solid. We probably aren’t going to hit a lot of home runs, but we should consistently put the ball in play and put pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses.”
Batavia
Coach: Alex Beckmann, 10th season
Last season’s record: 15-20-1 overall, 11-10 DuKane Conference (tied for third place)
Top returners: Brandon Oke, jr., C; Ryan Rodriguez, jr., C/IF; Liam Darre, sr., IF/P; Michael Vander Luitgaren, jr., IF; Danny Strong, jr., P; Hayden Peterson, sr., P
Key newcomer: Gavin McKelvie, so., OF/P; Cal Miller, so., C; Ben Johnson, fr., IF
Worth noting: The Bulldogs tied their best finish in DuKane Conference play last season, matching a third-place finish in 2022, and will look to plenty of returners on offense to power them further up the conference leaderboard. Batavia returned two of its top power hitters in Vander Luitgaren (13 XBH, 32 RBI) and Darre (17 XBH, 31 RBI), as well as consistent bats such as Oke (.464 on-base percentage) and Zeng (31 hits). The real question will come with pitching after losing ace Connar Temple to graduation. Peterson, a Pitt State commit, will more than likely take over that role this season. “With several key players gaining valuable experience last season, the team looks to build on its foundation and compete at a high level,” Beckmann said. “We are returning six starters on defense and a number of pitchers who saw meaningful innings in 2025.”
Bartlett
Coach: Alexander Coan, second season.
Last season’s record: 19-17-1 overall, 13-6 in the Upstate Eight West (third place).
Top returning players: Josh Colaizzi, sr., OF/P; Joe Kennedy, sr., P/3B; Brandon Pelz, sr., P/IF; Vince Yario, sr., P/Utility.
Key newcomers: James Fresso, jr., C/Utility; Mason Leiterman, fresh., IF/P; Sam Robles, jr., 1B/P.
Worth noting: Colaizzi returns for his fourth varsity season as the Hawks’ leader both at the plate and on the mound. Last year, he put up huge offensive numbers, hitting .416 with 4 home runs, 5 triples, 11 doubles, 23 RBI, 38 runs scored, a .507 on-base percentage, and .708 slugging percentage. On the mound, the right-hander posted a 1.71 ERA. Yario (.365, 3 home runs, 10 doubles) and Kennedy (1.62 ERA) also are back for the Hawks, who return five starters from their Class 4A regional championship squad — the team’s first regional crown since 2013. College commits include Colaizzi (McHenry County College), Kennedy (Concordia-Chicago), Pelz (Valparaiso), and Yario (Harper). “We are returning more than 160 innings on the mound and hope to contend for a conference title and more this spring,” said Coan.
Burlington Central
Coach: Kyle Nelson (21st season)
Last year’s record: 20-17, 8-10 FVC (seventh)
Top returning players: Liam Schultz, jr., C/3B; Thomas Koertgen, jr., CF; David Hintz, jr., OF; Wagner Viebrock, jr., SS; Sam Maglares, sr., RHP/IF; Tyler Kotwica, sr., LHP; Daniel Koertgen, jr., LHP
Top new players: Aidric Arndt, jr., RHP; Josh Cook, jr., 3B; Reese Beemer, so., RHP; Dom Henderson, jr. MIF; Jaxton Bovee, so., OF
Worth noting: The Rockets won 20 games for the third straight season last year, and Nelson earned his 400th win in April. His 2026 squad includes Schultz, who slashed .313/.452/.952 with eight doubles and two homers. Schultz is one of five juniors who played a full season on varsity last year. Maglares is the top returning pitcher after going 6-2 with a 2.89 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 36⅓ innings last year. The lefty Kotwica, a Carthage commit, had a 1.29 ERA in 21⅔ innings. Daniel Koertgen, who’s another left-hander, struck out 24 in 25 innings. “We will have a young pitching staff that needs experience,” Nelson said. “Arndt, Beemer, Gavin Stumbaugh and Connor Sreckov will have to log heavy innings this year. … Defense up the middle with Schultz (catcher), Viebrock (shortstop) and Thomas Koertgen (center field) should be a strength. A lot of our success will depend on what we get from our young pitchers.”
Cary-Grove
Coach: Kyle Williams (second season)
Last year’s record: 25-14, 11-7 FVC (tied for third)
Top returning players: Kaden Norman, sr., RHP/1B/DH; Oskar Freund, sr., IF; Dylan Dumele, sr., LHP/OF; Andrew McGee, sr., RHP/1B; Braedan Mendro, sr., RHP/IF; Canyon McKinney, sr., 1B/3B; Brady Bauer, sr., C/RHP; Landon Moore, sr., OF; Lance Moore, sr., OF
Top new players: Jack Barcy, jr., 1B/DH; Mason Klimek, so., OF/LHP; Andrew Paduch, so., OF/LHP; Ryan Koltz, jr., 2B/IF; Joey Pristera, so., 2B/3B/IF; Liam Doherty, jr., OF; Jake Murdock, so., C; AJ Lossman, jr., RHP; Braden Bogda, sr., RHP/PR; Wyatt Mallmann, sr., OF; Dominick Dipaolo, sr., C; Cohen Vandemoortel, jr., OF; Luke Tegeler, jr., RHP; Bradley Allen, sr., RHP
Worth noting: The Trojans put together a memorable postseason run in Williams’ first season as coach of his alma mater, as they advanced to state for the first time since 2009. They finished fourth in Class 3A with a senior-loaded team. This season’s squad includes Norman (4-0, 50 IP, 40 K, 2.52 ERA), who was second in innings pitched last season behind since-graduated ace Charlie Taczy (UIC). Freund (.343 BA, 35 H) is the Trojans’ most-experienced returning hitter. The lefty Dumele (29 IP, 3.86 ERA) and McGee (34 IP, 4.94 ERA) will join Norman in the starting rotation. “We have a strong group of seniors returning who bring great leadership, along with a talented and competitive group of juniors and sophomores,” Williams said. “Because of how many seniors we graduated, there will be more opportunities this year for younger players to step into significant roles both in the field and at the plate.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Brian Bogda (19th season)
Last year’s record: 25-13, 10-9 FVC (sixth)
Top returning players: Devin DeLoach, sr., P; Vince Pesce, sr., P; Nolan Dabrowski, sr., UT; Dane Chock, sr., 1B; Carson Trivellini, jr., SS/P; Nick Stowasser, jr., OF/P; Jackson Lee, jr., C; Michael Silvius, jr., IF/P
Top new players: Trevor Walker, sr., OF; Evan Rezendes, sr., 2B/OF; Brandon Davis, sr., OF; Michael Rathjen, sr., OF/P; Matt Bychowsky, sr., P; Coleton Bondi, jr., IF/P; Tanner Maurer, jr., OF/P
Worth noting: The Gators had their third 20-win season in a row last year, and they look strong again. Their returning players include a pair of D-I commits in NIU-bound lefty DeLoach (5-2, 73 K, 3.47 ERA, 48⅓ IP) and Illinois-bound shortstop Trivellini (.348 BA, 47 H, 12 2B), who also had six saves and a 1.45 ERA last season. As a sophomore on varsity last season, Lee batted .301 with seven doubles, two homers and 24 RBI. "We will need to stay focused, trust the process, know our roles, and pay attention to details to be successful in the very tough FVC,“ said Bogda, who was inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame last year. ”We know the games we play in the FVC will help prepare us for the postseason tournament."
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Andrew Zimmer (second season)
Last year’s record: 15-21, 4-14 FVC (ninth)
Top returning players: Max Backaus, jr., P/IF; Brady Benton, sr., P/IF; Nathan Bushy, sr., P/IF; Jacob Gillette, sr., P/IF/C; Jimmy Findlay, sr., OF; Ikey Grzynkowicz, jr., C/OF; Gavin Mahaney, sr., IF; Kyle Pierce, sr., P/OF; Ryan Pierce, sr., OF
Top new players: Shane DeMarsh, jr., P/OF; Alejandro Gonzalez, jr., IF; Anthony Horner, jr., P/OF; Kaden Klancnik, jr., P/OF; Fabian Manzanares, sr., P/IF; Cole Pearson, sr., IF; Valentine Rodriguez, jr., P/OF; Liam Farrell, jr., IF
Worth noting: The Chargers had an 11-game improvement and won a postseason game for the first time in 10 years in advancing to a regional championship in Zimmer’s first season. They graduated ace Jared Russell (60⅓ IP, 9-3 record, 69 Ks, 1.39 ERA), but feature good returning talent. Grzynkowicz batted .360 with a .532 on-base percentage and had a school-record 27 stolen bases. Ryan Pierce hit .360 with 24 RBI and 22 steals, while Kyle Pierce batted .346 with a .500 on-base percentage, 16 RBI, 27 walks and 16 steals. “We are looking to build off last year and take that next step as a program,” Zimmer said. “We want to compete in the always-competitive Fox Valley Conference. We have to play to our strengths as a team and do the little things right to be successful.”
Elgin
Coach: Zach Fasick, first season.
Last season’s record: 4-23 overall, 2-13 in the Upstate Eight West (seventh place).
Top returning players: Ivan Magdaleno, jr., P; Matt Caldwell, sr., OF; Jacob Rufino, jr., IF; Anthony Gasca, soph., P/OF; Hugo Gasca, jr., P.
Key newcomers: Christopher Arroyo, fresh., IF; Aiden Flores, fresh., P/IF; Anthony Lafuente, fresh., P; Emmanuel Guerrero, fresh., P; Andre Gutierrez, fresh., P.
Worth noting: Fasick, who has been coaching at Elgin for more than five years, takes over as the Maroons’ head coach looking to improve upon last season’s 4-23 mark. “Our all-conference selection from a year ago, Ivan Magdaleno, returns for a very important junior season as he continues to pursue baseball after high school,” said Fasick. “Matt Caldwell also is returning as a 4-year varsity starter and is also hoping to play at the next level somewhere. Jacob Rufino enters his third season as a starting infielder after serving as the starting quarterback for football and starting guard for basketball. His athleticism is immediately recognizable, and he is a very high character kid.” Elgin opens its season at Zion-Benton on March 24.
Geneva
Coach: Brad Wendell, ninth season
Last season’s record: 23-12 overall, 13-8 DuKane (second place)
Top returners: Blake Kopec, sr., P; Ryan Kastor, sr., P/IF; Mason Bruesch, jr., P/OF; Noah Hallahan, jr., OF/P; Nelson Wendell, jr., IF; Tate Beran, jr., IF; Alex Abraham, jr., C
Key newcomer: Nick Lozano, so., P/INF/OF; Gavin Dworak, so., C/IF; AJ Minderman, so., P
Worth noting: The Vikings won 20-plus games for the second consecutive season and found themselves just a win away from their first conference title since winning the Western Sun Conference in 2010. Geneva returns a plethora of starters from that team, led by Bruesch, a Michigan State commit who slashed .412 at the plate with four home runs and 22 RBI while striking out 54 batters across 48⅓ innings. Kastor and Hallahan add more depth as two-way players, with the former earning all-conference honors last season. Wendell and Beran look to be vital bats atop the lineup once again for the Vikings. “With multiple all-conference players back in key positions, returning innings on the mound, and stability up the middle defensively, the 2026 roster brings more continuity than the program has had in several years,” Brad Wendell said. “The focus remains on consistent execution, internal competition, and striving to move the standard of Geneva baseball forward.”
Hampshire
Coach: Frank Simoncelli (ninth season)
Last year’s record: 28-9, 11-7 FVC (tied for third)
Top returning players: Jonathan Alexander, sr., OF; Michael Casey, sr., C; Zachary Farwell, sr., RHP; Cole Harkin, sr., RH/OF/IF; Nicholas Lueders, sr., LHP/OF; Dixon Murdock, sr., RHO/1B; Shane Pfeiffer, sr., SS; Joey Rodriguez, sr., RHP/3B
Top new players: Derek Biederstadt, jr., 3B/RHP/OF; Tyler Lacke, jr., OF/RHP; Logan Nawrocki, jr., 3B/RHP/1B; Cameron Ortega, jr., C; Jacob Ostrowski, jr., OF/RHP; Mason Stanley, jr., 1B/LHP; Lucas Prange, so., RHP/OF; Tyler Rubino, so., 1B/DH; Gavin Weston, so., IF/RHP; Connor Crowley, jr., C; Ryan Draftz, jr., 2B; Caleb Hammel, jr., OF/RHP
Worth noting: The Whip-Purs graduated a talented group that included first-team selection Calen Scheider (Bradley) and second-team choices Ari Fivelson (Quincy) and Wilson Wemhoff (McHenry County). Their returning players include All-FVC shortstop Pfeiffer (.301/.459/.965, 8 2B, 3 HR, 24 RBI). Harkin struck out 23 hitters in 16⅔ innings last season. “We look forward to seeing our players compete and gain experience each game,” Simoncelli said. “We do not have a lot of returning varsity innings both on the mound and in the field, but we have some awesome kids that are great teammates. They work hard and they will show up each day to get better than the next. Every year you need to pitch and play defense at a high level so that’s going to be a major focus for us.”
Harvest-Westminster Christian
Coach: Matt Schulenburg, first season as head coach, fourth season overall.
Last season’s record: Westminster Christian — 17-13-1 overall, 6-4 in the Northeastern (third place); Harvest Christian — 15-13 overall, 8-1 in the Northeastern (first place).
Top returning players: Jameson Rapinchuk, sr., P/1B; Tommy Neubert, jr., C/OF/P; Ryan St. Louis, jr., P/SS; Brian Powers, sr., OF; Luke Bartolome, sr., OF/P.
Key newcomers: Brennan O’Donnell, sr., OF; Jackson Raffel, fresh., 3B/P; Luke Lopez, fresh., P/IF.
Worth noting: Schulenburg takes over for the combined school that packs plenty of potential heading into the season. The two teams finished in the upper half of the conference standings a year ago with double-digit win totals. The Warrior-Lions return ace hurler Rapinchuk (35 innings pitched, 3.80 ERA, 73 Ks), Neubert (.339, 2 home runs), St. Louis (.346), Powers (.338, 20 RBI), and Bartolome (.278, 19 RBI).
Huntley
Coach: Andy Jakubowski (20th season)
Last year’s record: 21-16, 10-8 FVC (fifth)
Top returning players: Sean Dabe, jr., RHP; Drew Borkowski, sr., RHP/OF; Travis Dudycha, sr., RHP/1B; Josh Rudnik, sr., RHP; Brady Klepfer, sr., RHP/UT; Ashton Jones, jr., C; Tommy Gasner, so., LHP/1B; Leo Bianchin, sr., LHP/1B; Owen Borkowski, jr., RHP/UT; Ben Anton, sr., RHP; Carter Dees, sr., RHP; Aiden Eickelman, sr., SS/UT; Ian Kelly, sr., OF; Brody Peters, sr., 2B; Diego Herrera, sr., RHP; Gavin Rettberg, sr., OF
Top new players: Liam Nash, jr., RHP; Kyle Ziebell, sr., MIF; Nate Larson, jr., LHP/OF; Hayden Wendt, jr., RHP; Blake Aumann, sr., RHP/OF; John Artinghelli, so., C/UT; Matt Keaty, sr., C/OF; Joey Lengle, jr., 3B/UT; Aydan Moore, so., P/SS/UT; Rowan Parker, jr., LHP; Ben Wilgreen, jr., OF
Worth noting: The Red Raiders won 20 games and a regional championship for the ninth straight year last season. Jakubowski said he has an athletic group of players who will put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses and buy into the “team approach” by playing to their strengths and finding ways to manufacture runs. Offensively, the Raiders will be led by Drew Borkowski, Jones (.284 BA), Gasner and newcomers Ziebell and Lengle. On the mound, the Raiders return 70-plus innings along with 10 wins. They will be led by Dabe (6-1, 3.68 ERA, 54 K, 45⅔ IP), Klepfer, Rudnick, Dudycha, Drew and Owen Borkowski. They also will rely heavily on newcomers Nash, Larson, Wendt and Parker. Ziebell and Nash, a junior righty who’s committed to the University of Houston, are transfers from Westminster Christian. “Our players are focused and excited for the 2026 season,” said Jakubowski, who has 563 wins in 26 seasons as a head coach. “The goal for this year’s squad hasn’t changed from previous years, as we are focusing on getting 1% each day and being quality teammates. We will focus on the little things, such as commanding the zone, playing solid defense, quality ABs and being aggressive on the bases. Ultimately, the goal is to be playing our best baseball at the end of the season and to make a strong postseason run.”
Jacobs
Coach: Jamie Murray (15th season)
Last year’s record: 16-20, 6-12 FVC (eighth)
Top returning players: Andrew Deegan, sr., SS; Cooper Gulgren, sr., P/OF; George Donze, sr., P; Aaden Colon, jr., 1B/P; Jowell Colon, jr., P/OF; Luke Flaskamp, jr., C; Jace Koth, jr., CF; Ryan Tucker, jr., 2B/P; Andrew Robertson, sr., OF; Braden Gasparaitis, sr., OF; Max Dailey, sr., P; Maddox Miller, jr., P/OF
Top new players: Brock Vincent, so., UT; Elliot Ross, so., P/UT; Jack Coates, so., P/UT
Worth noting: The Golden Eagles return 17 players from a team that won 16 games and lost to eventual Class 4A state runner-up McHenry 2-1 in a regional final. The returners include D-I commit Deegan (.393 BA, 8 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR), who Murray called one of the best defensive players he’s seen in his 30 years of coaching. Gulgren (UW-Stout), Donze (UW-Stevens Point) and Dailey (MSOE) also are college commits. … Deegan and Gulgren have been on varsity since they were sophomores. The Eagles did graduate five pitchers. “We return a lot of talented players with varsity experience,” said Murray, whose team returns eight players who started in the regional final. “In addition, we have some talented arms that have experience too. This group is extremely close, and that will be a factor for us in the spring, especially competing in the FVC, which is very talented this year. Excited for the season.”
Kaneland
Coach: Brian Aversa, 19th season
Last season’s record: 25-11 overall, 10-5 Interstate 8 (second place)
Key returners: Kanon Baxley, so., IF/P; Aidan Whildin, sr., OF/DH; Hayden Foster, sr., IF/P; Brady Alstott, sr., OF; Carter Grabowski, sr., OF
Top newcomers: Caleb Cornell, so. IF/OF; Jackson Velntini, jr., P
Worth noting: The Knights bring back a lot of talent, starting with Baxley. He had a pair of home runs and a 1.036 ERA plus a 4-2 record and a 2.31 ERA, and should factor in to bigger roles both on offense and on the hill. Whildin hit .398 and scored 37 times and scored 28 with an OPS of 1.075 and was the team’s offensive MVP. Alstott had a pair of home runs, 36 RBI and 35 runs while hitting .340. Foster led the team in innings pitched last year, going 6-3 with a 3.88 ERA. The Knights have at least 20 wins in the last seven full seasons and haven’t had a losing record since 2013.
Larkin
Coach: Niko Morado, seventh season.
Last season’s record: 4-27 overall, 3-14 in the Upstate Eight West (sixth place).
Top returning players: Aden Mora, sr., SS/P; Antonio Ventura, jr., OF/P; Jameson Cunningham, soph., P/IF/C; Michael Hammond, sr., Utility; Andrew Saldiver, sr., C/1B; Jacob Valle, sr., OF/P/IF.
Key newcomers: Brenden Villarreal, jr., IF/OF; Emilio Prieto, soph., 1B; Josiah Acevedo, jr., IF.
Worth noting: The Royals fielded a young team last season that included then-freshman Cunningham (.237, 18 hits, 4 doubles, 10 RBI) and then-sophomore Ventura (5 doubles, 10 RBI). Mora, a senior, batted .272 last season with 22 hits, 3 triples, and 15 runs scored, and figures to provide leadership this spring. Larkin begins its season at home Friday against Round Lake.
Marmion
Coach: Aaron Nieckula, fourth season.
Last season’s record: 22-13-1 overall, 11-3 in the CCL White (second place).
Top returning players: Emmit Collins, sr., C/1B; Charlie Zebig, sr., SS/2B; Matt Tulley, sr., OF.
Key newcomers: Alec Gilsinn, jr., SS; Jackson Yates, jr., OF; Luke Young, jr., P/OF; Ben Piekarz, jr., P/IF; Max Ulbrich, jr., OF; Adam Vogt, jr., C/P; Brendan Kavanaugh, jr., OF/3B; Nick Proctor, jr., P/OF; Stephen Carlson, jr., 1B.
Worth noting: After compiling a 14-14 record two years ago — its best season since 2017, the Cadets made another huge leap during last spring’s 22-win campaign that included a runner-up finish behind St. Francis in the CCL White. While Collins, Zebig, and Tulley return with experience, the bulk of the roster is filled with promising juniors like Michigan State commit Gilsinn, Yates, Young, Piekarz, 6-foot-3 Proctor, and 6-foot-5 Carlson. Marmion, which lost a 4-2, 8-inning contest to Montini in the Class 3A regional semifinals a year ago, opens its season at home Saturday against DeKalb.
South Elgin
Coach: David Palmer, first season.
Last season’s record: 25-11 overall, 16-1 in the Upstate Eight West (first place).
Top returning players: Zach Barkho, sr., P/SS; Jacob Robertson, sr., P/1B; Nathan Robertson, sr., C; Alex Muro, sr., 2B/OF; Kyle Iott, jr., P/OF; Ethan Tuftedal, jr., P/OF; Jonny Niksich, jr., P/IF; Evan Gomez, soph., C/1B/OF.
Key newcomers: David Kiel, jr., P/IF; Trevor Tinsley, jr., P; Max Aziaka, soph., P/OF; Declan Boyd, soph., P; Trenton Nichols, fresh., P/SS.
Worth noting: Palmer takes over as the second head coach in South Elgin history after Jim Kating (313 career victories) retired following last spring’s postseason run to the Class 4A supersectional. Barkho, Jacob Robertson, and Nathan Robertson are Elgin Community College commits, while Muro will play collegiately at Benedictine in 2027. “Our top two arms are back from season with Barkho and (Jacob) Robertson, along with a very junior-heavy team,” said Palmer. “We have no returning outfielders so the starting spots are up for grabs. The team is filled with talent that I think can hang with anyone in our area. The group is hungry after the crushing end of the season last year (8-6 loss to McHenry) in a game they felt they could have won. We should be competing for another Upstate Eight title but have bigger goals in mind.” South Elgin’s spring trip to Murfreesboro (Tenn.) will feature opportunities for players.
St. Charles East
Coach: Derek Sutor, third season
Last season’s record: 15-19, 10-11 DuKane (tied for sixth place)
Top returners: James Feigleson, sr., IF; Gavin Fuscone, sr., OF/P; Nate Moline, sr., IF/P; Dylan McCabe, jr., IF/P; Antonio Perez, sr., IF; Andrew Evans, jr., IF; Mason Daros, sr., C
Key newcomer: Kyle LaRose, jr., OF; Tyler Phillips, jr., C
Worth noting: After finishing last season with a sub-.500 record for the first time since 2019, the Saints are looking to bounce back in a big way. The Saints returned six starters from last year, including the entire infield. Feigleson is the standout of the returners, with the UIC commit leading the team with 36 hits last season. Moline leads the returners on the mound after posting a 2.27 ERA across 49 innings. “This was one of our best off-seasons in some time and the focus has reshifted to restore the tradition of St. Charles East baseball,” Sutor said. “This group feels they are the group to do it. We might not be on many team’s radars at this moment, but if we play to our potential, we will be by the season’s end.”
St. Charles North
Coach: Todd Genke, 21st season
Last season’s record: 21-13, 14-7 DuKane (Conference champions)
Top returners: Mason Netcel, sr., IF; Matt Ritchie, jr., P/IF; Chase Ferguson, sr., IF/P; Reed Raczka, sr., OF/P; Emerson Miller, sr., P; Ben Auer, sr., OF/P; Charlie Major, sr., C/IF/P; Nolan Macholz, sr., IF
Key newcomer: Charlie Peppeard, jr., IF/P; Landon Paul, jr., IF/P; Will Lauby, jr., P; Cadyn Gabriel, so., OF
Worth noting: The North Stars, who successfully defended their DuKane Conference title on the final day of the regular season, will be looking to go for the three-peat, as well as their fourth straight season with 20-plus wins. Ritchie, a TCU commit that posted a 2.06 ERA across 52⅓ innings, will lead the pitching staff alongside Miller and Josh Kobylinski. On the hitting side, Netcel (Indiana State commit) will look to lead the way again after hitting a team-high 28 RBI last year alongside Auer (Wisconsin-Whitewater commit), who led the team with 35 hits, including 11 doubles. The North Stars will be without two-way star Keaton Reinke, who graduated early to pursue football at Northwestern. “The 2026 team will rely on its strong pitching staff, a solid core of versatile athletes on defense and a very capable offense,” Genke said. “Offensively, we should be able to score runs in bunches but also be able to execute small ball opportunities when needed.”
St. Edward
Coach: Michael Aydt, first season as head coach, 15th overall.
Last season’s record: 4-27 overall, 1-13 in the Chicagoland Christian (fourth place).
Top returning players: Zach Wojtas, sr., OF/P; Zack Lombardo, sr., C/3B/P; Anthony Leadley, jr., SS/P; Brendan Avila, jr., IF/OF/P; JT Birns, jr., C/3B/P; Aiden Burchill, jr., IF/P.
Key newcomers: Gavin Brunner, jr., P/1B/OF; Parker Petruczenko, jr., OF.
Worth noting: Despite winning just four games a year ago, the Green Wave made them count, capturing their second consecutive Class 1A regional championship with a 7-3 victory over Westminster Christian as the No. 9 seed. St. Edward lost to eventual 1A state champion Ottawa Marquette in the sectional semifinals. Wojtas returns after hitting .317 with 14 RBI, 21 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases last season, while striking out 28 batters in 27 innings on the mound. Lombardo (.268, 14 RBI, 13 walks, 8 stolen bases), Leadley (.284, 11 RBI, 16 runs scored), and Avila (35 2/3 innings pitched, 42 Ks) add much-needed experience. “We hope to be more competitive overall and in our conference,” said Aydt.
Streamwood
Coach: Joel Gamino, first season.
Last season’s record: 14-18 overall, 8-10 in the Upstate Eight West (fourth place).
Top returning players: Andrew Noriega, sr., P; Conner Flynn, jr., P; Josh Zamora, sr., P/OF; Aden Rojas, jr., P/1B; Casey Nosek, soph., IF.
Key newcomers: Austin Carr, jr., OF/IF; Alex Castiglione, soph., OF; Corvell Lappay, jr., Utility; Corben Lappay, jr., Utility.
Worth noting: Gamino, a former Streamwood assistant coach, takes over for current Hampshire athletic director Dan Jennings. Gamino spent the past few seasons as Elgin’s head baseball coach. The Sabres look to improve upon last year’s 14-win season with a youthful roster. Streamwood begins its season at Hoffman Estates Thursday before its home opener Friday against Harlem.
West Aurora
Coach: John Reeves, 19th season.
Last season’s record: 27-8 overall, 16-3 in the Upstate Eight West (second place).
Top returning players: Zach Toma, sr., P/1B; Henry Hinkle, sr., 3B/P; Oscar Alexander, jr., C.
Key newcomers: Abe Martinez, jr., P/OF/IF; Tyler Fecht, jr., OF/P.
Worth noting: The Blackhawks return one of the area’s top 2-way players in senior southpaw Toma, who posted a 7-2 record and 1.39 ERA on the mound while hitting .459 with 6 home runs, 10 doubles, 46 RBI, and 33 runs scored. Toma, last year’s Daily Herald Fox Valley All-Area captain, struck out 99 in 65 1/3 innings. Hinkle, who finished 4-1 with a 1.09 ERA in 6 starts, batted .330 with 2 home runs and 29 RBI last spring. Alexander hit .359 with 4 home runs, 8 doubles, and 33 RBI while batting at the top of the order last season. Toma, Hinkle, and senior Will Gray combined for a 13-3 mound mark in 2025, with Martinez ready to add support. “We have competition at virtually every other position on the field,” said Reeves. College commits include Toma (Heartland Community), Hinkle (Highland Community), and senior Angel Romero (Aurora University). Seniors Braiden Williams (2B/OF) and Elliott Zielke (P/IF) also look to contribute.
— Joel Boenitz and Eddie Carifio from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview.