Baseball: Scouting the 2026 Lake County season
Antioch Sequoits
Coach: Frank Fracek (4th season)
Last season’s record: 23-13-1, 12-6, second Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Hunter Feldkamp, jr., Zach Rubin, Andrew Olson, Alex Nielsen
Key newcomers: Elliott Freeman, sr., C, Colby Costello, sr., IF-P, Zach Kavich, sr., OF-P, Parker Wenzel, sr., OF-P, Liam Haren, jr., P-IF, Alex Herstowski, jr., IF-P, Teagan Mogle, jr., P-OF, Lucas Sliwinski, jr., P-IF, Jackson Weber, jr., P-OF, Evan Queensland, soph., P-OF
Worth noting: Feldkamp (Morton College) hit .356 (1.074 OPS) with 7 doubles, 4 homers and 23 RBI, while Rubin (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) hit .329 with 24 RBI. Olsen went 1-0 with a 1.07 ERA in 20 innings, allowing 3 earned runs. He’ll move into a starter role. Nielsen hit .302 with 18 RBI. Costello and Freeman also have college playing aspirations, Fracek noted. “We will be a lot different than last year’s group,” Fracek said. “We graduated 13 seniors, 5 of whom were playing at the varsity level since their sophomore years. Our juniors who will be joining us feature a lot of big and exciting arms that are ready to leave their mark. We have a strong group of returning players (2 on the varsity since freshman year) who are now going to lead our team and show what they can do.” Fracek noted Feldkamp exploded on the scene last year and is poised for a “huge spring.” he said. “Hunter is a corner infielder who has a lively bat. He will get the chance to pitch for us and compete in different ways than last year.” Rubin is in his fourth varsity season “and has become our leader because of his outstanding work ethic,” Fracek said. “He has made significant improvements in the infield and outfield. Zach has a great bat and is going to be a big part of our offense.” Fracek said Lakes will be a team to keep an eye on, in particular, in the conference. “Our conference is really competitive,” he said. “There are no easy games or wins. We never look over or past any of our opponents.” This is the first senior class Fracek did not coach when they were freshmen. “While we were sad to see so many good players and kids leave our program last year, I am left feeling excited about the opportunities other players now get,” he said.
Carmel Catholic Corsairs
Coach: Scott Anderson (3rd season)
Last season’s record: 11-24, 3-12 East Suburban Catholic
Top returning players: Emerson Larson, P, Josh Ouimette, P-OF, Michael Haran OF-IF, Preston Dahm, 2B, JJ Doyle, IF, Hayden Martinson, IF
Key newcomers: Brody Connelly, P-1B, Colton Deehr, P, Colin Dunstan, P
Worth noting: Larson will continue his career at Quincy University, while Anderson added to keep an eye on Haran and Ouimette this season. “We have the deepest team we have had in my three years,” he said. “This is the deepest pitching staff we have had in a long time. We have returning guys at every position who have starting experience.” Carmel lost 6 games by 1 run last year and dealt with key injuries in the lineup. “With a deeper pitching staff and experience coming back in all positions, we should be much improved,” Anderson said. Joliet Catholic, Anderson noted, is the team to beat in the East Suburban Catholic. “It’s a tough conference where all teams are good,” he said.
Grant Community Bulldogs
Coach: Bryan Talbot (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 18-15, 10-8 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Ramzi Abdelhak, sr., IF, AJ Annarella, sr., C, Jayden Figueroa, jr., IF, Logan Sledzik, sr., P-1B, Kolton Selders, sr., IF, Reece Timm, sr., P-OF
Key newcomers: Logan Hamm, jr., P-1B, Nico Vavalle, soph., P-OF
Worth noting: Talbot said infield defense experience for the Bulldogs will be a strength. Hamm, Talbot noted, will have opportunities in the middle of the order to produce runs and compete on the mound regularly, while Figueroa, who backed up an All-Area shortstop last year, has a chance for a great season, he added. Talbot called Abdelhak an on-base machine and solid defender. Annarella has committed to College of Lake County. Looking at the conference, Talbot said Grayslake Central again is the team to beat. “Grayslake Central is on top until someone knocks them off,” he said. “We should be competitive in the conference.”
Grayslake Central Rams
Coach: Troy Whalen (23rd season)
Last season’s record: 28-10, NLCC champions
Top returning players: Carson Woods, sr., 2B, Charlie Surowiec, jr. ,SS, Beckman Stone, sr., 1B, Soren Hansen, sr., C, Bryce Carlson, sr., OF, Jack Velez, sr., 3B, Luke Eckenstahler, sr., P, TJ Rodriguez, sr., P, Rocco Rand, sr., P
Key newcomers: Fonzie Hermes, sr., OF, Derek Caldwell, sr., P, Logan Marshall, jr., P, Jayson Domerchie, soph., OF, Daniel Cope, soph., C, Jackson Tarpey, jr., OF, Jonathan Malloy, Jr., OF, Rhett Welch, jr., P-OF, Beau Barrows, soph., P, Liam Workman, jr., OF, Elliot Ford, jr., IF-P, Brennan Mueller, jr., IF
Worth noting: The Rams are stocked with returning experience with Woods (.390, 35 runs scored), Surowiec (.310), Stone (.342, team-leading 4 homers, 25 RBI, Hansen (.300, 15 RBI), Carlson (.338, 21 runs), Velez, Eckenstahler (Milwaukee Area Tech commit, 24 K in 24 innings), Rodriguez (Milwaukee Area Teach commit, 1.24 ERA in just under 20 innings) and sidearmer Rand (1.70 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 21 appearances). Teams that are stacked up the middle are generally competitive throughout the year and Whalen is impressed with his middle diamond guys headed by Surowiec (SS), Woods (2B), the athletic Carlson (CF) and returning catcher Hansen and up-and-coming backstop Cope. “We are solid once again in all key positions,” Whalen said. “I say it every year that high school baseball is about pitching and defense and both need to show up every game. Both Carson and Charlie will set the tone for us defensively and offensively.” Central graduated more than 140 mound innings. The staff is led by college-commit seniors Echenstahler and Rodriguez. “Both are bulldogs and compete on every pitch,” Whalen said. “Both have made huge strides with their command and velo with fastballs getting north of 85 MPH and secondary pitches to get hitters out.” Rand will be seen in a closer role with his ability to hold runners and is not afraid of the moment, Whalen noted. “Rocco is battle-tested, having thrown in several meaningful games,” he said. Central has won the NLCC title 5 years in a row and Whalen expects his squad to be in the hunt once again along with Lakes, Wauconda and Grant. “The conference should be pretty balanced,” he said. “If our pitching remains healthy and continues to get better throughout the year along with our defense, this team has the makeup to make a postseason run.”
Grayslake North Knights
Coach: Eric Lopez (4th season)
Last season’s record: 8-26, 4-14, sixth Northern Lake County
Top returning players: JD Novacek, jr., C, Timmy Schaap, sr., P-IF-OF, Andrew Winling, sr., P-OF, Kyle Case, sr., 1B, Nate Wilson, sr., P-OF, Gavin Palo, sr., IF-OF, Alex Caraballo, sr., utility
Key newcomers: Isaiah Sancen, jr., IF-P, Julian Avila, jr., IF-P, Gage Pfleege, jr., IF-P, Jayce Ebbole, soph., IF-P
Worth noting: Novacek is a returning all-NLCC selection, while Schapp is currently slated to be North’s No. 1 pitcher again. Novacek hit .338 with 11 doubles and 29 RBI, while Schapp had a 3.70 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 41 innings. “JD has been an impactful bat in our lineup since freshman year,” Lopez said. “Although his stats from last year do not reflect his impact on the team, we expect to have a stronger team around Timmy this year to which he will continue to be trusted in those big games.” Lopez also is high on senior pitcher-outfielder Winling, who is in his third year on the varsity. “Andrew is another guy we expect to be strong for us on the mound, with the bat and defensively,” he said. Lopez said the Knights will again be younger. “We anticipate a handful of new faces among our infield while our outfield and pitching staff will feature returning seniors,” he explained. “We have 3 of our top 4 pitchers returning. I am really excited about potentially having a good amount of depth, something we have lacked the past few season. Overall, I anticipate being a stronger team. To be blunt, last year was a tough spring and a valuable learning experience for all involved. We have used that as fuel and are aiming to improve this spring.” Lopez said Grayslake Central and Lakes are teams to watch in the NLCC.
Lakes Eagles
Coach: Brett Hill (1st season, 8th overall)
Last season’s record: 21-14, 11-7, third Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Ethan Jablonski, sr., SS, Carson Norris, sr., SS, Brett Beerbower, sr., P-3B, Ean Ankney, sr., P-1B, Mason Gialo, sr., C-OF
Key newcomers: Aidan Hack, jr., P-IF, Hunter Bergdahl, jr., P-IF-OF, Ryan Stolarick, jr., C, Peter Ney, jr., OF-P
Worth noting: Hill coached the Grayslake North varsity for 7 seasons with the Knights winning the 2017 NLCC title. He spent 8 years at Vernon Hills as an assistant and is in his fourth year in the Lakes program. He takes over a team loaded with veteran experience that has caught the eyes of opposing area coaches. Lakes has 17 seniors. “It’s an all-around great group of kids,” Hill said. Beerbower was an all-NLCC pick last year and Jablonski earned all-conference honors in 2024. The Eagles have 7 players committed to play at the next level in Norris (SIU-Edwardsville), Jablonski (Augustana), Ankney (Augustana), Beerbower (Wisconsin-Stevens Point), McCall (Wisconsin-Platteville), Gialo (Beloit) and Miller (Knox). “The strength of this team is its connectivity as a group,” Hill said. “We have 17 seniors who have done a tremendous job of building the culture of Lakes baseball. Our junior class is not limited on strong, hardworking baseball players either.” Hill likes how Lakes’ pitching rotation is shaping up. “Our strength is on the mound,” he said. “We can count on any of at least 12 kids to get outs for us in big situations.” Norris can touch lows 90s on the radar gun, while Beerbower was Lakes’ best pitcher in league play “and has command of all his pitches,” Hill said. Hill added Hack and Bergdahl are ready to step up and contribute on the mound. He added Jablonski, Ankney and Jacob Kane in the infield, John Zutkis and Ney in the outfield and Gialo/Stolarick behind the plate all are great defenders. “Every coach says it, but this group is truly a team,” Hill said. “Their energy, effort and connectedness to each other is what can make us successful. With only 9-10 spots in the lineup, this group epitomizes hard work and understanding individual roles within a baseball program.” Hill said Grayslake Central remains the team to beat in the Northern Lake County Conference. “Until someone knocks them off,” Hill said. “They have an established program and coaching staff and have had continued success.” He also noted Wauconda, Grant and Antioch are expected to be of note. “Every year, our goal is to win the NLCC and advance in the postseason and this year is no different.”
Lake Zurich Bears
Coach: Derek Parola (1st season)
Last season’s record: 26-12, 11-3, second North Suburban; Class 4A regional champion
Top returning players: Colin Chung, sr., P-IF, Carson Hamblin, jr., CF, Alex Toth, jr., 3B-P, Nick Audet, jr., OF-P, Blake Zabel, sr., IF
Key newcomers: Rylan Lamp, sr., P, Nick Verden, jr., P-utility, Lucas Hovinen, jr., P-IF, Cooper Kaczmarek, jr., utility-P
Worth noting: Parola, who played at Mundelein (his dad, Todd, is the Mustangs’ former baseball coach) and played and coached at Illinois State University, takes over after serving as an assistant last year. He takes the reins of a Bears squad that reached a Class 4A sectional title game. Chung, headed to Washington University in St. Louis, fanned 61 in 48 1/3 innings while posting a 1.45 ERA. Hamblin hit .342 and stole 12 bases on his way to all-conference honors. Audet hit .355 and had a 2.40 ERA in 24 innings. Zabel hit .308. Parola said starting pitching and the top of the Bears lineup will be keys. “We return 2 arms that threw a lot of important innings for us in 2025,” he said. “The top of our lineup returns 3 hitters who played a big role last year. Colin Chung will be the ace on the mound, play in the middle infield and will be in the middle of the order. Carson has been starting on varsity since freshman year and will hit leadoff. He has real speed.” Parola also said to keep watch on 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher Lamp. “Rylan has made a jump this offseason,” he said. Parola said Libertyville is the team to beat again in the North Suburban.
Libertyville Wildcats
Coach: Matt Thompson (10th season)
Last season’s record: 36-4, 13-1, North Suburban champions; Class 4A state champions
Top returning players: Chase Lockwood, sr., P-1B, Brady Buenik, jr., P, Nico Harper, sr., LHP, Ryan Wilberding, jr., C-OF, Carson Holmes, sr., OF, Trevor Wallace, sr., IF, Bode Rohrbach, sr., IF, Jack Cenar, sr., OF
Key newcomers: Theo Kellogg, sr., P, Ian Maddux, sr., LHP, Braden Tolzien, sr., P-1B, Nick Farmakis, sr., OF, Madden Cotts, jr., P-IF-OF, Aksel McKnight, jr., P-1B, Matthew Hara, jr., C-IF-OF, Kaden Butt, jr., P, Reid Williams, jr., OF
Worth noting: The defending Class 4A state champions are far from hurting for talent. Lockwood (Illinois State) was an all-state pick and earned league pitcher of the year honors in 2024. He went 10-0 with an 0.82 ERA while fanning 64 in 59 2/3 innings against only 18 walks. Holmes hit .419 with 5 homers and 25 RBI on his way to all-NSC honors. He hit .500 in the state playoffs. Buenik (Tennessee) went 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA (34 K in 28 1/3 innings), while lefty Harper (Olivet Nazarene) had 18 strikeouts in 20 innings, a 2.45 ERA and 1 save. Wilberding (Marshall) hit .364 with 3 homers and 17 RBI and Wallace (Ripon) hit .304 with 11 RBI. Libertyville has 9 players on the roster committed to play at the next level. Cotts is headed to Bradley, while Kellogg is committed to Indiana Wesleyan, Maddux to Harper College and Tolzien to Heartland. Thompson said all 3 phases of the game are strengths. He also lauded Hara, Holmes and McKnight offensively, “great hitters,” he said. Thompson said the Wildcats will be favored in the North Suburban but said to look out for Lake Zurich with Derek Parola coaching and talented players on the roster.
Mundelein Mustangs
Coach: Randy Lerner (9th season)
Last season’s record: 23-11-2, 9-5, third North Suburban, Class 4A regional champions
Top returning players: Johnny Weiss, sr., IF-P, Logan Young, sr., C-P, Dan Stricklin, sr., CF, Ryan Wolverton, sr., 3B, Will Bemrich, sr., P
Key newcomers: Miller Rastrelli, jr., OF-P, Peter Nanos, sr., OF-P, Eddie Zuniga, sr., C-P, Frankie Lesniak, sr., IF, Trevor Carman, sr., 2B-OF
Worth noting: Mundelein has 5 players who plan on continuing their careers at the next level in Weiss (Illinois-Springfield), Stricklin (McHenry Community), Zuniga (Southeastern Community), Bemrich (Parkland) and Nanos (Harper College). Weiss is a returning all-NSC pick. “Our strength will be our defense,” Lerner said. “We have lots of range and strong arms in the outfield. We return a strong group of infielders, including two starters from last season (Weiss and Wolverton).” Lerner expects Weiss “to have a great senior year,” while Bemrich, a tall lefty, if he’s able to stay healthy, “he has all the potential in the world on the mound,” Lerner added. Rastrelli “looks to be a possible breakout-type junior, both as a pitcher and hitter,” Lerner said. Lerner noted Libertyville will again be tough “a top of a really strong NSC,” he said. “We look to be a top 3-4 team.” Weiss hit .307 with 15 RBI, 29 runs scored and stole 12 bases, while Young logged 23 innings, striking out 22 and posting a 1.22 ERA. Bemrich pitched 15 innings and fanned 21, while Nanos and Zuniga had cups of coffee on the varsity mound a year ago.
Round Lake Panthers
Coach: Mike Mastalski (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 5-22, 1-17 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Julian Lozada, jr., SS-P, Daniel Russ, sr., C-P-1B, Landon Lyon, soph., 2B-P, Kevin Rodriguez, sr., OF-P, Antonio Gomez, soph., C-1B-P, Isaiah Urbina, sr., OF
Key newcomers: Christopher Fernandez, fresh., 1B-C-P, Rylan Stumpp, fresh., 3B-P, Armond Latson, jr., 3B-P, Mitchell Cardenas, jr., OF-P, Ryan England, jr., OF-P, Oscar Gonzalez, sr., OF
Worth noting: Mastalski said defense and speed will be strengths. Russ, committed to Concordia, Lozada and Lyon, “all look to make a big jump from last year after how hard they worked in the offseason,” Mastalski said. “We are excited to see how they play this spring. We are very young this season, but we have a lot of talent. We should be a deeper team overall, but our young guys are going to have to show us what they are made of.”
Stevenson Patriots
Coach: Chris D’Amato (1st season)
Last season’s record: 16-18, 6-8, sixth North Suburban
Top returning players: Frank Costabile, sr., OF-P, Ryan Harris, sr., OF-P, Aidan Crawley, sr., SS
Key newcomers: Aidan Albrecht, sr., P, Andrew Clark, sr., P
Worth noting: D’Amato is the Patriots’ new head coach coming over from Evanston. He takes over a Stevenson team that features all-conference returners in Crawley (.253) and Costabile (.289, 2-1 pitching, 1.11 ERA). Harris went 2-4 on the mound and hit .280 with 5 homers. Clark is back after missing last season due to injury. Costabile and Harris are both off to UIC, while Martin is committed to Joliet Junior College. Crawley will play football and baseball at Illinois Wesleyan, while Mason Nolasco is headed to Elmhurst University and Alex Han to MIT. “The strength of this team will be its pitching depth,” D’Amato said. “We return 2 arms who pitched as juniors and should provide strong 1-2 punch.” D’Amato said the pitching staff also features Han, Albrecht, Jordan Levine, Clark, Crawley, Ryan Jacobson and Sam Prosk, all senior throwers. Sam Adelman is Stevenson’s returning third baseman and D’Amato noted he brings a strong leadership presence. Martin is at first base and will have a middle-of-the-order bat, while Nolasco is a senior outfielder who “can play superior defense,” D’Amato said. Stevenson brings close to 500 varsity at-bats back. D’Amato noted defending-state champion Libertyville and Lake Zurich will be tough, while Mundelein and Warren Township join them as great programs.
Vernon Hills Cougars
Coach: Pasquale Atteo (3rd season)
Last season’s record: 12-22, 6-9 Central Suburban North
Top returning players: Connor Brockway, IF, Nathan Dugan, IF, Robert Miller, P, Kyle Kim, CF, Colin McMurray, IF, Ken Kim, P, Jake Levitan, P
Key newcomers: Henry Olson, jr., IF-P, Zach Procelius, sr., 1B-DH
Worth noting: The Cougars have 10 players back. “We have lots of returners and we’re feeling good about the experience this group has,” Atteo said. Brockway was an all-conference pick a year ago. Atteo said Miller (Harper College) is sitting at 85-87 MPH and has 3-4 additional pitches in his arsenal. Newcomer Olson, Atteo noted, is an athletic, versatile athlete who can play essentially anywhere, while Porcelius is one of the strongest athletes in the program. “He’s a powerful hitter at 6-5 and 220 pounds,” Atteo said. Ryan Mick is headed to North Park University. Atteo said defense and pitching will be calling cards. “We have our top 3 pitchers returning from last year,” he said. “We have a rather athletic team with good senior experience.”
Warren Township Blue Devils
Coach: Clint Smothers (19th season)
Last season’s record: 20-15
Top players: Braylan McCarthy, sr., P-CF, Peyton Balanag, sr., P-3B, Mason Durst, sr., OF, Colin Dreckmann, SS, Mason Palmer, jr., P, Cooper Clark, P, Matt Illescas, Kyler Loeffler, Braxton Goodfellow
Worth noting: Smothers noted Warren has pitching back this year but will still be young. “We have a great group of kids but our conference will be very tough again like usual,” he said. “Our strength of schedule will be one of the hardest in the last 10 years for us. There will be competition daily to see who starts or remains in the lineup.” McCarthy (Milwaukee Area Tech) hit .315 with 16 RBI and also fanned 62 in 56 innings while going 4-6 with 2 saves and posting a 3.20 ERA. Balanag (College of Lake County) hit .226 and struck out 48 in 50 innings. He went 5-3 with a 2.50 ERA. Durst (Milwaukee Stout) hit .281 with 13 RBI, while Dreckmann (St. Mary’s Minnesota) hit .312 with 17 RBI. Palmer pitched 37 innings and struck out 49 while going 2-3 with 2 saves and posting a 1.70 ERA. Clark (Cornell) was 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA, while Goodfellow hit .220 with 3 extra-base hits and 18 RBI. Illescas (College of Lake County) and Loeffler (Cornell) also will contribute. Smothers said in terms of the North Suburban race, Libertyville, Stevenson, Mundelein and Lake Zurich figure to be at the top. “We will be middle of the pack this year,” he said.
Wauconda Bulldogs
Coach: Shawn Rudolph (4th season, 24th overall)
Last season’s record: 19-15, 10-8, fourth Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Jackson Rudolph, sr., 3B-P, Luke Sickmeir, jr., OF, Jake Thorstenson, sr., OF-P, Dominic Ciaburri, sr., C-1B, Jaxson Miglans, sr., OF-P, Brody Rudolph, jr., C-3B
Key newcomers: Tyler Giacomino, jr., OF-P, Parker Bufton, jr., 1B-P, Michael Cacioppo, jr., C-IF, Carson Diver, jr., 2B, Dereck Ternes, jr., OF-P
Worth noting: Jackson Rudolph (Illinois-Springfield) and Sickmeier are returning all-NLCC and All-Area picks. Rudolph hit .333 with 35 hits, 34 runs scored and 29 RBI, while Sickmeir hit .494 with 40 hits, 33 runs scored and 28 RBI. Thorstenson hit .312 with 29 RBI. Ciaburri is committed to the University of Indiana-South Bend. “We have a strong senior-led group that is also a strong hitting group,” Rudolph said. “Defense will be a strength as many returning starters are back A strong junior class will balance us out with pitching and gain experience quickly.” Rudolph said junior outfielder-pitcher Colin Albano has gained 20 pounds of muscle and strength “and will bring that to the mound and his bat,” while junior pitcher-second baseman Brayden Kirchwehm gained a good amount of experience last year and looks to have a breakout year. Rudolph added senior Ethan Wall “found the strength room and upped his velocity which will help on the mound.” Rudolph said the NLCC is always a battle with the 3-game series in play. “We will compete and battle for a spot around the top with our hitting and defense,” he said. “Our pitching will be the key to take us to the edge and hold us at the top. Last year, Grayslake Central and Antioch were at the top 2 spots. We are excited to compete this year with this group.” Wauconda has 13 multi-sport players on the roster. “We are very well experienced with winning and having success,” Rudolph said. “The senior group has been playing football, basketball and baseball together since they were in T-ball and youth sports. A lot of time has been spent in practice and growing up together and that will pay dividends this season.”