Baseball: Scouting DuPage County

Addison Trail

Coach: Mike Kennedy

Last year: 14-17, 6-12 (5th) West Suburban Conference.

Top returning players: Brandon Caniglia, sr. (OF, P); Billy Stathopoulos, sr. (OF,SS,P ); Alex Ingram, sr. (P); Arjay Valdez, jr. (C); Gio Long, jr. (1B, P); Lukas Trippedi, jr. (3B, P), Phil Sitkowski, sr. (OF), Eddie Franczak, sr. (DH, OF).

Top newcomers: Adrian Hernandez, jr. (SS, P); Rafael Valdez, jr. (P).

Worth noting: The Blazers return 140 innings pitched this season, with 110 innings between Lukas Trippedi, Alex Ingram, and Gio Long. Trippedi (53), Ingram (53), and Long (43) racked up 149 Ks in those innings. Junior Rafael Valdez will add to the rotation after a promising sophomore campaign. Billy Stathopoulos returns for his third year on the varsity, while Brandon Caniglia (.350) returns after being named all-conference last season. Eddie Franczak (.395) brings back 17 stolen bases and was only caught once. Arjay Valdez returns to catch after throwing out 25 baserunners last season.

Benet

Coach: Scott Lawler

Last year: 18-13, 6-6 (7th) East Suburban Catholic Conference

Top returning players: Luke Bafia, sr. (IF); Cade Rosenthal, sr. (IF); Jake Perrino, sr. (P/OF); Lucas Lawler, jr. (P/OF).

Top newcomers: Brandon Cerocke, jr. (IF); Ryan Cibulka, jr. (IF); Jeremy DeWilkins, jr.(C): Charlie Kane, jr. (P/OF); Jake Rifenburg, so. (P/IF).

Worth noting: Led by Bafia (.296 with 14 stolen bases), Rosenthal (.289 with 22 runs), Perrino (.286) and Lawler (2.40 ERA), the Redwings have plenty of talent to handle a competitive schedule.

Downers Grove North

Coach: Kyle Briscoe

Last year: 16-14-1, 11-7 (2nd) West Suburban Silver

Top returning players: George Wolkow, jr. (3B/OF); Ean Czech, sr. (SS); Tony Konopiots, sr. (3B); Joe Chiarelli, sr. (SS/OF) Tommy Finley, sr. (OF); Brooks Barofsky, sr. (P/IF); Sean Ryniec, sr. (P); Ryan Dennison, sr. (P); Jimmy Janicki, jr. (C); Jude Warwick, jr. (IF).

Top newcomers: Ben Llewellyn, jr. (P); Noah Battle, jr. (OF).

Worth noting: Talent is everywhere on the Downers Grove North roster. Wolkow, a South Carolina recruit, is among several players already committed to college. He batted .384 with three home runs last season. Czech, a Texas recruit, is healthy after missing half of last season, while Konopiots, a West Virginia recruit, is a standout player. "We return eight starters from last year's team," Briscoe said. "Wolkow, Czech and Konopiots will be three-year starters an have been through the high school grind."

Glenbard East

Coach: Clayton George

Last year: 21-10, 20-4 (2nd) Upstate Eight Conference

Top returning players: Trevor Rehnstrom, jr. (P/OF); Jayden Hamilton, sr. (IF); Brett Vercruysse, jr. (IF); Brayden Brencki, sr. (P/OF); Chris Ludwig, jr. (IF/P); AJ Vartanian, jr. (IF/P); Connor Peckham, so. (C).

Top newcomers: Peter Ahern, jr. (IF/P); Grant Bruen, jr. (IF), Brian Kud, so. (OF/P), Ryan Frano, so. (OF/P).

Worth noting: "Our team this year returns nine players that have had varsity playing experience and contributed significantly to last year's success," George said. "The strengths of our team will be our pitching and our defense. We are led on the mound by Trevor Rehnstrom, Braden Brencki, John Seybold and Peter Ahern. We also will have a solid group of newcomers that will contribute to our team on the mound. We have solid players defensively that will make the routine plays. The key to our season is for us to click offensively. For us to achieve our goals, we are going to have to perform in all aspects of offensive baseball."

Glenbard North

Coach: Rich Smelko

Last year: 16-15, 9-12 (5th) DuKane Conference.

Top returning players: Matt Betancourt, sr. (C); Steve Hobbs, sr. (P/OF); Sam Palmer, sr (OF); Josh Christman, jr. (SS/P); Kaiden Feinstein, jr. (P/OF); Nick Schenkel, sr. (OF/IF).

Top newcomers: Jacob Christman, jr. (1B); Lorenzo Filice, jr (OF); Wyatt Sabalaskey, jr. (C); Justin Carlson, jr. (P/OF).

Worth noting: "The loss of Shea Gaffney and Gunner Briggs will hurt, but we have some guys that have stepped up and have cherished the leadership role," Smelko said. "We bring back experience in all facets of the game and these kids are fun to be around. We have some early season injuries going on right now, but I look forward to seeing this team compete. This is a great group of kids to coach."

Glenbard South

Coach: Marco Eufrasio

Last year: 19-15, 17-10 (4th) Upstate Eight Conference

Top returning players: Ness Damania, sr. (P/1B); Joe DeMeo, so. (C/IF); Christian Pogorzelski, jr. (P/IF); George Thomas, jr. (P): Frankie Valli, sr. (P/IF); Avery Webster, sr. (P/OF); Zach Westa, sr. (OF); Nathan Zambori, sr. (OF).

Top newcomers: Charlie Rude, sr. (P); Andrew Pressley, sr. (UT).

Worth noting: The Raiders are coming off a 2022 campaign where they started a majority of underclassmen in the field and on the mound. "The expectations are high for the Raiders this season with nine returning starters, many of whom are seniors and hungry to make a deep postseason run," Eufrasio said.

Glenbard West

Coach: Andy Schultz

Last year: 18-14-1, 8-10 (4th) West Suburban Silver.

Top returning players: Jason Valdez, sr. (IF); Danny Nash, sr. (OF); Erich Radzinski, sr. (P); Adam Naegelen, sr. (P/IF).

Top newcomers: AJ Cano, sr. (OF); Jacob Lachs, sr. (C); Joey Campanella, jr. (OF); Drew Gusanders, jr. (OF); Braeden Groszek, jr. (IF); Brandon Nunez, jr. (IF); Nico Ruoti, jr. (IF).

Worth noting: The Hilltoppers graduated 18 seniors off last year's regional championship team, and while they lack significant varsity experience, they have a lot of athleticism to work with this spring. "This team has the potential to defend and hit at a high level. We have a lot of quality players and even higher quality people in our program," Schultz said. "They've put a lot of work in this off-season and now it's a matter of going out there and having fun together."

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Jason Ziemer

Last year: 20-10, 12-6 (1st) West Suburban Silver

Top returning players: Ben Oosterbaan, sr. (P/SS); Charlie Bergin, sr. (C); Andres Waelter, sr. (IF); Luke Jurack, jr. (2B/OF).

Top newcomers: Aidan Conners, jr. (3B); Ben Dynis, jr. (P); Will Kusak, so. (P/OF); David Leung, so. (P/OF); Riley Contreras, fr. (OF); Patrick Connors, fr. (UT).

Worth noting: Oosterbaan, a Michigan recruit, is one of the top players in the state after batting .301 and striking out 31 last season. Bergin, an Augustana College recruit, batted .343 with a .946 on-base percentage, while Jurack was a tough out in his sophomore season.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Sean Beesley

Last year: 24-11, 13-5 (2nd) West Suburban Gold

Top returning players: Robbie Spang, sr. (SP); Max Waszkiewicz, sr. (SS); Brandon Elting, so. (SP); Nathaniel Fundator, jr. (P); Ryan Flynders, sr. (INF); AJ Fulscher, sr. (INF).

Top newcomers: Landon Jasinkski, jr. (C/OF); Andrew Miller, jr. (OF); Sam Harmon, sr. (P); Henry Joyce, jr. (C).

Worth noting: The Hornets are expecting to compete every day with a strong pitching staff in a tough conference. "We are a very young team with a ton of potential that still has experience on the mound," Beesley said. "The schedule has a few different teams on it from years past that we hope provide our players with stiffer competition that will prepare us for the playoffs. In conference, we expect to compete in every series and are anticipating hard fought and heavily contested wins."

Lake Park

Coach: Dan Colucci

Last year: 14-19, 8-13 (6th) DuKane Conference

Top returning players: Dan Rollins, sr. (C); Michael Christiansen, sr. (OF); Bryan Bergman, sr. (RHP); Carson Vrba, sr. (C/DH); Tom Sotirakopulos, sr. LHP); Marco Annecca, sr. (OF); Sebastian Alvarez, jr. (RHP); Derek Ittner, jr. (SS); Ryan Colucci, jr. (2B); Michael TenEyck, sr. (OF)

Top newcomers: JC Lopez, sr. (RHP); Ryker Pobloske, sr (1B); Jayden Patel, jr. (3B); Lew Slade, jr. (LHP).

Worth noting: "We will have a solid defense and many young yet talented arms on the mound," Colucci said. "Our lineup has the potential to put up runs in a variety of ways. Overall, our success this year will come down to our ability to throw strikes and make routine plays consistently."

Lisle

Coach: Pete Meyer

Last year: 6-18, 3-10 (7th) Illinois Central 8

Top returning players: Jack Archer, sr. (P/IF); Zach Ebert, sr. (OF, P); Dominic Nigro, sr. (INF); Joe Raineri, sr. (C); Cole Van Poucke, sr. (OF, P); Nate Doering, jr. (OF, P); Tommy Ford, jr. (1B, P); Kyle Grutzmacher, jr. (3B, P); Luke Heidenry, jr. (SS, P); Matt Kane, jr. (INF, C).

Top newcomers: Jake Mitchell, jr. (INF); Clay Hicks, jr. (OF, P).

Worth noting: The Lions return seven starters and will rely on their experience as most of those starters are now entering their second or third year as varsity players. "The pitching staff will be much deeper than it has been in the past couple of years and we are looking for a lot of innings from many different arms this season." Meyer said.

Metea Valley

Coach: Steve Colombe

Last year: 12-17, 4-10 (5th) DuPage Valley Conference

Top returning players: Jake LaVine, sr. (C); Connor Akstulewicz, sr. (P/IF); Drew Hopkins, sr. (P/IF); Daniel Bastidas, jr. (C/IF); Kyle Bucher, jr. (P/IF); Jeremy Wrona, jr. (P/IF); Mark Golminas, sr. (P/OF); Jayden Malone, sr. (OF).

Top newcomers: Evan Zeigler, jr. (P/OF); Noah Larson, sr. (IF); Nate Loo, sr. (P/OF).

Worth noting: Metea Valley has a number of players back from last season looking to make a splash this season, with starters back at seven positions, including Wrona and LaVine. "We have a tight knit group of kids that includes 13 seniors, but the DuPage Valley Conference always provides tough competition," Colombe said. "We look forward to the challenge this spring."

Montini Catholic

Coach: Rich Janor

Last year: 23-12-1, 11-6 (1st) Chicago Catholic League White

Top returning players: Cash Campbell, jr. (3B); Dominic Catalano, jr. (OF); Quinn Boyer, jr. (CF); Aris Kosiek, sr. (RHP); AJ Manganello, jr. (C); Vince McDowell, sr. (C); Christian Clarke, sr. (1B); Matt Zeman, jr. (RF); Anthony Spidale, jr. (LHP); Jimmy Shortall, sr. (RHP).

Top newcomers: Jack Calcagno, jr. (RHP/1B); Drew Church, so. (SS); Max Bell, so. (IF); Ethan Mendez, so. (2B).

Outlook: Talented juniors Cash Campbell (University of Iowa) and Dominic Catalano (University of Illinois-Chicago) will lead a Broncos team that won the Chicago Catholic League White and reached the sectional final last season. Senior Aris Kosiek (Missouri Southern State) and Vince McDowell (Loras College) are an experienced battery, and newcomer Jack Calcagno will also be atop the rotation. AJ Manganello will platoon behind the plate with McDowell, and Quinn Boyer will anchor center field. The team will travel to Arizona over Spring Break, and will look to return battle tested and ready for an strong and aggressive Chicago Catholic League schedule. "This 2023 group has a solid combo of pitching depth and offensive weapons. Expect us to make noise both in conference play and in the playoffs," Janor said. Also worth noting, the Broncos will be converting their baseball field to synthetic turf this month.

Naperville Central

Coach: Mike Stock

Last year: 22-7, 11-5 (1st tie) DuPage Valley Conference.

Top returning players: Colin Barczi, sr. (C); Pambos Nioloudes, sr. (SS); Mike Umbright, jr. (P/IF); Gabe Dickerson, sr. (P/IF); Clay Schrader, sr. (OF); Mike Boyce, sr. (P/OF); Nathan Wyllie, jr. (OF); Chris McCormack, sr. (P).

Top newcomers: Jacob Gervase, jr. (IF); Chase Reeder, so. (P).

Worth noting: With eight starters returning from a talented 2022 team, including Barczi, the Redhawks are aiming to be among the top teams in Chicagoland. The Redhawks have three players committed to play in college in Barczi (Vanderbilt), Nioloudes (UIC) and McCormack (Iowa Central).

Naperville North

Coach: Jimmy Chiappetta

Last year: 13-12, 8-7 DuPage Valley Conference

Top returning players: Tanner Mally; sr. (SS); Zach Bava; so. (C); Cole Clemens; sr. (OF); Jackson Prentice; jr. (3B); Matt Randal; jr. (OF); Tyler Vorwick; sr. (P); Luke Wagner; sr. (P).

Top newcomers: Peyton Seiple; sr. (1B); Scott Walker; jr. (OF); Zak Sumser; Jr. (P).

Worth noting: The Huskies have a plethora of talented players back in the fold, as Mally (.465 with 31 runs), Bava (.362 with 15 RBIs) and Clemens (.383 with 21 RBIs) are some of the key returnees. "We were a relatively young team last season and return a fair amount of experience, led by Western Michigan commit and two-time captain, Tanner Mally, and fellow returners Zack Bava, Cole Clemens and Tyler Vorwick," Chiappetta said. "It should be a very tough and competitive conference again this season. Jackson Prentice, Matt Randal, Scott Walker, Luke Wagner (committed to Carthage College), and Peyton Seiple all earned valuable experience last year and we will be looking for them to build on that this coming spring."

Neuqua Valley

Coach: James Thornton

Last year: 20-10-1, 11-4 (1st) DuPage Valley Conference.

Top returning players: AJ McEneany, sr. (P); Josh Wenz, sr. (SS); Mark Mennecke, sr. (P); Mark Wagner, sr. (C ; Dan Cercello, jr. (P); Tommy Kuban, sr. (P/IF); Matt Knapczyk, jr. (OF); Dilen Dabezic, sr. (P); Peter Pipikios, jr. (P/OF).

Top newcomers: Andrew Gould, jr. (IF); Nehemiah Dean, jr. (P); Mike Langan, so. (P/IF); Blake Camaj, jr. (P/IF); Josh Buerstetta, jr. (OF).

Worth noting: The Wildcats lost a lot of offensive firepower from last season. They averaged 9 runs in the 20 wins, but they return three seniors who will be in their third varsity year on varsity in Wenz, Mennecke and Wagner. "Pitching should be a strength this season, with McEneany (South Suburban CC commit) turning into the ace of the staff in his first year of high school baseball," Thornton said. "Cercello is receiving Division I attention, and Mennecke, Dabezic and Kuban's experience, work ethic and competitiveness are rubbing off on new arms, Langan, Dean and Pipikios."

St. Francis

Coach: Tom Ciombor

Last year: 23-11, 11-3 (2nd) Metro Suburban

Top returning players: Rocco Tenuta, sr. (P/SS); Thomas Smith, sr. (OF); Trey Kiesler, jr (C); Andrew Mueller, jr. (IF); Jacob Castaldo, sr. (OF).

Top newcomers: Peter Lemke, sr. (P/IF); Joey Gainer, so. (IF); Nick Sparacio, jr. (IF); Colt Armbrust, so. (P); Zak Maduzia, so. (IF).

Worth noting: Expectations are high once again for the Spartans after coming off two regional championships and a sectional title in the last two seasons. "The team is ready to compete again," Ciombor said. "We have a challenging schedule that will test some of the new varsity players, but this team is deeper than it has ever been."

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Bryan Acevedo

Last year: 17-14, 8-7 (4th) DuPage Valley Conference

Top returning players: Luke Farley, sr. (OF); Ben Ford, jr. (OF); Carter King, sr. (P); Jay Keeley, sr. (P/IF); MJ Lieyos, sr. (P); Blake Pietryk, sr. (P/UT); Mason Ringenbach, sr. (3B); Jarron Thompson, sr. (P).

Top newcomers: Hiroshy Wong, so. (IF); Owen Roberts, so. (SS); Josh Hung, so. (OF); Tanner Atkins, jr. (C); Sean Carroll, jr. (OF); Luke Elsea, jr. (P); Riley Roberts, jr. (P); Josh Mitchell, jr. (P); Brandon Pascual, sr. (P); Michael Cullen, sr. (2B).

Worth noting: Pietryk is coming off a big season in which he batted .337 with 19 RBIs. Thompson struck out 71 batters last season, while Lieyos, a Pepperdine recruit, was honorable mention in the conference last season but suffered a knee injury which is a big blow to the team.

West Chicago

Coach: T.J. Nall

Last year: 6-20, 6-16 (8th) Upstate Eight Conference

Top returning players: Daniel Blickhan, sr. (P/IF); Zac Taylor, sr. (P/IF); Brandon Heath, jr. (P.IF); Tyler Heath, jr. (P/1B); Gannon Hosticka, sr. (P/OF).

Top newcomers: Rafael Herrera, jr. (P/IF); Carlos Allen, jr. (P/OF).

Worth noting: "We have a lot of guys with varsity experience," Nall said. "The kids have been more committed this offseason and are looking forward to competing this spring."

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Justin Swider

Last year: 19-14-2, 6-4 (3rd) Metro Suburban Blue

Top returning players: Hudson Williams, sr. (P/SS); Alex Bagley, sr (P/OF); Andy Roman, sr. (P/C); Grant Rojek, sr. (OF); Will Clegg, jr. (IF); Jacob York, jr. (2B); Will Osterholm, jr. (P).

Top newcomers: Eric DeCosta, jr. (P/IF); Jakob Karlson, jr. (IF); Gino Spinelli, so. (IF/OF); Brandon Kiebles, so. (IF/OF); Logan Swaney, jr. (P/OF).

Worth noting: The Warriors return all three of their all-conference selections (Williams, Bagley and Roman). Williams is entering his third year as the starting shortstop and is a returning all-area player. "While having some great leadership from a solid senior class, the Warriors have some significant young talent that is looking to make a name for themselves both on the mound and in the field," Swider said. "We have had an incredible offseason and that has been motivated by a season ending loss in the regional championship last year."

Wheaton North

Coach: Dan Schoessling

Last year: 17-19, 7-14 (6th) DuKane Conference

Top returning players: Tyler O'Connor (3B, P); Ty O'Connell (C); Patrick Dillow (P,1B).

Top newcomers: Luke Bellini (SS); Logan Straube (IF/OF); Jack Speers (OF); Connor Speers (IF); Sean Kannegiesser (P,IF); Ryan Murawski (P, OF), Carter Johnson (P, IF); Brad Nelson (P); Rich Schilling (P, OF); Charlie Strutzel (OF); Chase Riccelli (P, IF).

Worth noting: The Falcons have a young team with seven new position players, but should be able to score runs, Schoessling said. The Falcons' pitching staff remains in flux, but O'Connor, O'Connell and Dillow are key returnees in the lineup.

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: John Scherrman

Last year: 6-24, 2-19 (8th) DuKane Conference

Top returning players: Casey Farrell, sr. (P/1B); John Jensen, jr. (OF); Jayce Mitchell, jr. (P/IF); Ryan DeMars, jr. (IF); Corey Gul, jr. (OF); David Allgood, sr. (C); Mason Monce, so. (C/IF).

Top newcomers: Jack Coluzzi, jr. (IF); Neill Pasterz, jr. (P/IF); Luke Scherrman, jr. (P/OF); Chris Myers, jr. (IF); Cam Kouch, jr. (P).

Worth noting: The Tigers are looking for a bounce-back season, and with Farrell, an Elgin Community recruit, leading the way. "We have a group of experienced players from last year who gained a great deal of time on the diamond last season," Scherrmann said. "They are a group that have dedicated themselves to becoming better players and rebounding from a tough season last year. A strength for us coming into the season will be our offense. We have Casey Farrell, Jayce Maranell, John Jensen, Corey Gul, and Mason Monce returning who all started consistently later in the season. All of these guys, including Jack Colluzi will allow us to be improved at the plate and on the bases this season."

Willowbrook

Coach: Victor Wisner

Last year: 25-5, 15-3 (1st) West Suburban Gold

Top returning players: Isaac Sobiesczyzk, sr. (3B); Alex Chaltin, sr. (P/SS); Colin Slivka, sr. (P/IF); Aiden Pienziazek, sr. (P/2B); Joey Tumilty, sr. (CF); Eddie Munson, sr. (OF); Jimmy Degnan, sr. (OF); Joey Braden, sr. (P/SS).

Top newcomers: Gabe Ness, jr. (P); Vinny Ippolito, so. (IF); Sam Maresse, so. (OF); Vince Aiello, jr. (C).

Worth noting: Willowbrook is primed for another outstanding season, with Sobiesczyzk, a Bradley recruit, back after hitting over. 300. Chaltin, who committed to Triton, battled .315 last year and Braden, a Lewis recruit, is a solid all-around player. "We have a bunch of guys returning," Wisner said. "The boys don't feel good about how their season ended last year losing to Schaumburg in the opening round. They have a ton to prove."

Westmont

Coach: D.J. Cocks

Last year: 21-16, 4-8 (6th) Metro Suburban Red

Top returning players: Lucas Hicks, jr. (P/CF); Rocco Damato, so. (C ; Briggs Templeton, so. (1B); Noah Grimm, jr. (P/OF); Lucas Fears, so. (P/IF); Jerry Vasek, so. (P/IF); Jack Gedraitis, sr. (IF).

Top newcomers: Nikolai Baldwin, fr. (P/SS); Mission Hatchell, so. (P/IF).

Worth noting: The Sentinels only have one senior in Gedraistis, so they will lean on some youngsters in search of another winning season, Cocks said. The pitching staff has quality depth, but an injury to Noah Valentin is a big blow. "The offense will be strong one to nine," Cocks said.

York

Coach: Dave Kalal

Last year: 17-17, 10-8 West Suburban Silver

Top returning players: Tommy Van Daff, sr. (P); Jack Rozmus, sr. (C); Jack Braun, sr. (1B); Ryan Turner, sr. (IF); Brian Filosa, sr. (SS); Chris Danko, jr. (P/OF); Ryan Sloan, jr. (P).

Top newcomers: Lucas Bormann, sr. (P); Noah Hughes, jr. (P).

Worth noting: The Dukes will look to build upon last season's Elite Eight run behind Van Daff (Spring Hill College recruit) and Rozmus (Ashland recruit) among the top returnees. "We bring back six position players from last year's lineup," Kalal said. "Last year's experience will help to motivate a group which is hungry for more and knows what it takes to win in the postseason."