Tri Cities baseball preview
Aurora Central
Coach: Michael Armato
Last year's record: 13-16 overall, 2-12 in the Suburban Catholic.
Top returnees: Brian O'Donnell (sr.); Matt Wagner (sr.); Ken Litrenta (sr.); Tom Barkei (sr.)
Outlook: Armato said it's going to be a challenge for the Chargers this year, especially when they found out they will be without their No. 1 pitcher, Nick Czaja, out with a season-ending injury. "While replacing him is difficult, we do have to persevere. We have a number of outstanding young men that will work very hard and will continue to improve over the course of the season," Armato said. The coach is looking to his team defense and well-rounded offense to help overcome Czaja's loss. Wagner hit 3 home runs and drove in 19 runs last year. Brauweiler batted .328. "We will not have the power at the plate we had last season, so executing on offense will also be a focus. I expect our kids to show up every day and give their best effort," Armato said. "Fortunately we are blessed to have young men that understand their situation and know what they have to do this season." The Chargers also welcome in junior newcomers Kevin Droeske, Brian Droeske, Steve Hollon, Joe Bonifas and Ryan Reichardt.
Aurora Christian
Coach: Andy Zorger
Last year's record: 15-8 overall, 12-4 in the Private School.
Top returnees: Andru Ubert (sr., C/P/3B); David Zielke (sr., P/3B/OF); Nate Hill (sr., 1B/ P); Matt Morse (jr., SS/ P); Stephen Clancy (jr., P/CF).
Outlook: The Eagles took second in the Private School before losing in the regional semifinal to St. Edward. "We have 6 starters returning who are excited and ready to get after it this season. We have strong leadership and a core of confident players who are geared up to compete at a high level." The Eagles bring back plenty of offensive firepower, led by Ubert, who hit .437 with 8 home runs, 37 RBI and 30 runs. Zielke batted .397 with 17 RBI, 23 runs and 7 steals. Hill batted .382 and drove in 18 while Morse, an all-state wide receiver, batted .417 last year and scored 27 runs. "Our lineup should be very solid top to bottom, led by Matt Morse and Andru Ubert providing the punch in the middle. We also have a good amount of speed and experienced base runners, which should help us push across a few extra runs." Zielke will be one of the top two pitchers after going 4-1 with a 2.88 ERA, 2 saves and 31 strikeouts. Clancy also returns after going 4-2 record and striking out 29. "Our top 2 pitchers from last year are back, which is big, as well as 2 who didn't pitch much a year ago (Morse and Ubert)," Zorger said. "Our staff should be very deep with about 8 guys who can give us a bunch of innings." Defensively, Zorger is still looking at three or four different catchers. "Middle infield will be very strong, also with 3 guys who can play both shortstop and second base, solidified by Morse at short. We have a great group of guys who can play several positions, which adds depth." Put it all together and look for Aurora Christian to be in the mix for a conference title in their last year in the Private School League. "We are excited to compete for a conference championship and battle for a regional crown. I have very high expectations for this team, and it's just a matter of putting the work in every day to get better and be able to compete with the best. Last year, we surprised some people, especially in our conference. This year we're not going to sneak up on anyone, they know what we have and that means we're probably going to see everyone's best." Among the newcomers to watch are junior middle infielder Dan Jacobsen, senior second baseman/outfielder Zac Copple (injured most of 2008) and freshmen Mitch Holtz (OF/P) and Jake Hanson (C/3B).
Batavia
Coach: Matt Holm
Last year's record: 19-13, 12-9 in the Western Sun.
Top returnees: Brian Krolikowski (sr., P); Jordan Coffey (sr., P); Ryan Welter (sr., Joe Aguilar (2B), Tyler Lindquist (SS); Tim Drish (sr., LF); Adam Karger (P).
Outlook: Holm is the dean of area coaches with a 267-251 record in 17 years, including an Elite Eight trip in 2004 with a 26-13 record. The Bulldogs lost to York in 13 innings in last year's regional and will try to replace three seniors playing college baseball: Brad Brandenburg (Aurora University), Alex Beckmann (Northern Illinois) and Mike Sentman (Trinity College), plus Shane Holl (Augustana for football). The Bulldogs can turn to Miami University-bound Brian Krolikowski, plus Jordan Coffey and Adam Karger. Senior catcher Ryan Welter leads the defense, along with middle infielders Joe Aguilar and Tyler Lindquist, while the offense returns several of its big bats led by Drish, Krolikowski and Coffey. Holm expects a powerful lineup with Aguilar leading off, followed by Welter's strong contact and Drish, Krolikowski and Coffey in the middle of the lineup that can produce high RBI numbers. Junior Matt Taylor and Venezuelan exchange student Henry Duque add depth to the pitching staff. "I'm excited to see how they (seniors Krolikowski and Coffey) finish their varsity careers," Holm said. "We have high expectations but have finished short of our goals the last two years being eliminated in the first round after great seasons."
Geneva
Coach: Matt Hahn
Last year's record: 21-11, 11-10 in the Western Sun.
Top returnees: Cory Hofsetter (sr., 1B); Sean Grady (sr., OF).
Outlook: The Vikings are replacing a lot of talent this year, with just two regulars back. Nowhere is that more evident than in the rotation, where Chris Jordan and Rodney Nelson and their 120 innings are gone. Senior A.J. Sarantopulos is the new No. 1, healthy this year after battling injuries last season. "He would have probably been our No. 3 last year but we handled him with kid gloves (because of the injury)," Hahn said. "He's not overpowering but he can change speeds, hit his spots and has decent velocity." Juniors Alex Sroka and Riley Perry follow Sarantopulos. Juniors Asa Bielenberg and Eric Renner are battling for the catching job. Hofstetter is back after smashing a record-tying 12 home runs last year. Hahn said Hofsetter, coming off off-season shoulder surgery, should be cleared soon to start throwing and will start the year at DH before moving to first base. Hahn isn't sure yet who will bat behind the slugger, who is headed to Western Illinois next year to play football. The coach learned from having Nick Herrera two years ago that it is just as important to find two hitters who can get on base to bat ahead of Hofstetter as it is to find a weapon in the cleanup spot to protect Hofstetter. Juniors Jason Adams and Brian Cornick man the middle infield at short and second, respectively, while Sroka and Sarantopulos will play third base when they are not pitching. Grady, a three-sport whiz, is another returnee in left field, Ryan Mallon will be in right and Jerrod Campbell center. There might be some question marks early in the year, but there is talent - the junior class won the Western Sun sophomore title last year. "Our goals have never changed since I've been here," Hahn said. "We want to compete for conference. I think it is about the most balanced conference I can remember. Batavia has to be the favorite but Glenbard (South) will be good, Sycamore is the defending champion, Yorkville is improved, their seniors won the conference as sophomores, Kaneland, when we played them in the summer those games were always close."
Kaneland
Coach: Brian Aversa
Last year's record: 19-12, 12-9 in the Western Sun.
Top returnees: Mike Pritchard (sr., 3B); Troy Pritchard (sr., P); Joe Gura (sr., C/3B/P).
Outlook: Aversa expects to have another team in contention for a Western Sun title after the Knights battered the ball last year with a .340 team average. The coach likes the mix of senior leadership with the talent from his junior class. He's got a good balance of pitching and depth on defense. Gura and Mike Pritchard were both all-Western Sun players a year ago after hitting .400 and .377, respectively. Kaneland, which lost to Sycamore in the Dixon regional title game last year, will welcome newcomers Jake Fiedler, a junior who can play second or shortstop, and sophomore outfielder Joe Camiliere.
Marmion