Baseball/Fox Valley preview

Bartlett Hawks

Coach: Chris Pemberton (3rd year)

Conference: Upstate Eight (Valley)

2011 record: 13-22, 8-17 (sixth)

Top returning players: seniors Dan Gallanis (P), Ben Grear (SS/2B), Ryan Roszkowiak (C), Robert Sadowski (P/IF), Robert Smith (CF), Giacomo Visconti (3B/DH), Matt Wick (1B/DH); junior Colin Nowak (P/OF)

Key newcomers: juniors Justin Blanchett (P), Kyle Garcia (P/OF), Ryan Karrick (IF/P), Nick Mazzei (P/DH/1B), Matt Roberson (C/OF/IF)

Outlook: Several Hawks saw playing time last year in their first varsity season and return to form the nucleus of a team coach Chris Pemberton expects to compete for the Valley Division title in the Upstate Eight. Heading the pitching staff is Dan Gallanis, who is committed to Quincy University. Last season he finished 2-2 with a 1.94 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 47 innings. Promising pitcher/outfielder Colin Nowak was brought up last season as a sophomore. In 9 games he hit .375 (6-for-16) with a home run and 4 RBI. In 6 starts on the mound, he was 2-3 with a complete game, 10 strikeouts and 8 walks in 22 innings. Robert Sadowski went 1-2 with 1 save in 10 appearances (4 starts, 25 innings). Juniors who expected to bolster the pitching staff include Ryan Karrick, Nick Mazzei, Justin Blanchett and Kyle Garcia. The Hawks should be strong up the middle with Ryan Roszkowiak at catcher and returnees Robert Smith in center field (14 steals) and Ben Grear in the middle infield. “We have a good group of returners who gained valuable experience last year as first-time varsity players,” coach Chris Pemberton said. “Plus, we are optimistic about our juniors who provide us with needed depth and competition at many positions. Our goal is to use that experience and talent to compete among the top teams in the Upstate Eight Valley Division.” The Hawks were offensively challenged in 2011, when they hit .259 as a team, a number that must improve. No returning players hit over .300 last season. “All teams will need to make the necessary adjustments to the BBCOR bat era,” Pemberton added. “Hopefully, our defense and pitching can be solid and we can capitalize on games where runs may be hard to come by.”

Burlington Central Rockets

Coach: Kyle Nelson (7th year)

Conference: Big Northern (East)

2011 record: 23-8, 8-2 (second)

Top returning players: seniors Clem Acitelli (OF), Ray Hunnicutt (CF), Riley Jensen (2B/P), Zach Ranney (SS/P), Tanner Scott (C/OF/DH); junior Blake Alexander (SS/2B/DH), Kevin Zasada (P/1B)

Key newcomers: juniors Alex Bell (P), Bryan Cynova (SS/1B/C), Ryan Schuring (OF/P), Michael Scott (3B/1B/P); sophomore Reed Hunnicutt (OF)

Outlook: The Rockets return plenty of pop at the plate and great overall team speed. However, Central graduated its top three pitchers (Nick Hahn, Sam Klein and Joey Lange). Some younger, less-experienced pitchers must step up in support of returnees Zach Ranney (9-2 career record) and Riley Jensen (1-0, 2.92 ERA). Junior Alex Bell, Michael Scott, Ryan Schuring and Kevin Zasada join a pitching staff coach Kyle Nelson calls “deep and talented but inexperienced.” The Rockets have plenty of veteran leadership at the plate, led by returning Class 3A all-state selection Tanner Scott (. 510, 9 HR, 43 RBI). A four-year varsity starter, Scott is Central’s all-time leading career home run leader with 29, including one this season against Crystal Lake Central. He’s joined by fleet-footed center fielder Ray Hunnicutt (. 402, 4 HR, 8 2B, 21 RBI). Last year he got on base at a .480 clip, stole 23 bases and scored 34 runs. Ranney hit .355 (33-for-93) with 5 doubles, a home run and 10 RBI. Blake Alexander (. 344, 3 HR, 11 RBI) and Clem Acitelli (. 348) each hit well in limited at-bats. Both step into starting roles this year. Coach Kyle Nelson expects additional players to contribute as well. “This is the deepest team I have had at Central,” he said. “We have several versatile players who will contribute. Our biggest asset will be our speed and defense. We just need to take good at-bats top to bottom.” Central’s biggest games in the division will be against defending champ Richmond-Burton, which returns the bulk of its pitching staff.

Cary-Grove Trojans

Coach: Don Sutherland (25th year)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2011 record: 27-10, 19-5 (second)

Top returning players: seniors Nick Beyer (C), Matt Byrne (SS), Matt Dunlap (P), Ryan Kaveney (P/1B), junior Daniel Vilardo

Key newcomers: juniors Andrew Brierton (P/C/IF), Zach Marszal (P/OF), Jeremy Vasquez (IF)

Outlook: On paper, this team should be rebuilding. But that’s hardly how the Trojans looked in winning 3 of their first 4 games. Despite graduating seven of the eight starting position players from last year’s Sweet 16 lineup, Cary-Grove has already scored 11 runs in a ballgame twice, victimizing Fremd and Prospect, the latter of which finished fourth in Class 4A last year. The only starter back in the lineup is leadoff man Matt Byrne, who moves from second base to shortstop this season. Last year Byrne hit .366 (38-for-99) with 7 doubles, a triple, a homer and 21 RBI. He drew 11 walks, had an on-base percentage of .460 and scored 47 runs, second most on the team. Junior outfielder Daniel Vilardo is Cary-Grove’s next most-experienced varsity hitter. Last season he hit .255 (12-for -47) with 2 doubles and 5 RBI. Catcher Nick Beyer had 9 hits in 13 at-bats. “I think we’ll be solid at the plate,” said Trojans coach Don Sutherland, who begins his 25th season. The bigger question is how well some inexperienced arms replace Kevin Weber, Matt Panek and Jon Spoelstra, the three pitchers who ate up the majority of innings for Cary-Grove the last two seasons. Seniors Ryan Kaveney and Matt Dunlap head the rotation. Kaveney went 2-2 last year, struck out 17, walked 3 and had a 2.39 ERA in 14 innings. Dunlap was 1-1 with 12 strikeouts, 6 walks and a 3.41 ERA in 12 innings. Other key members of the staff include juniors Zach Marszal, Andrew Brierton and Dean Lee. “We’ve used the same pitchers for two years, which was a luxury,” Sutherland said. “If we’re going to be good, we’re going to need some of these kids to come through. Marszal and Brierton and Lee are good pitchers. I’m just worried about their experience. When you’re on the mound experience matters.”

Crystal Lake South Gators

Coach: Brian Bogda (5th year, 76-56)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2011 record: 19-13, 14-10, fifth

Top returning players: seniors Zack Geib (P), Nick Martin (P/RF), Tyler Salm (2B), Jordan VanDyck (SS/P) Dom Winiecki (C); junior Max Meitzler (1B)

Key newcomers: juniors Jake Bigos (OF), Tom Gaede (3B/OF), Tyler Hall (IF/P), Tyler Parquette (P)

Outlook: The Gators return 13 players from a team that won 19 games last year, led by Indiana State-bound ace Nick Martin. Last season Martin went 7-4 with 61 strikeouts and 24 walks and a 2.76 ERA in 63 innings. He’ll be joined in the rotation by 6-foot-3 Tiffin University recruit Zack Geib (1-0, 2 saves, 3.61 ERA, 23 K) and 6-2 senior Jordan Van Dyck (1-0, 3.88, 24 K). Martin hit .299 with 2 home runs and 21 RBI. Other top hitters returning include senior catcher Dom Winiecki (. 381, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 28 R), junior first baseman Max Meitzler (. 348, 2 HR, 14 RBI) and senior second baseman Tyler Salm (. 271, 9 RBI, 15 R). “We have guys in place who received a lot of game experience from last season, and now we are hoping they will go out and execute the expectations that we have set for them,” CL South coach Brian Bogda said. “We need to play consistent baseball. I feel that last year we didn’t get consistent outings each game. I think some of that might have been that we were a young team.” Junior outfielder Jake Bigos collected 5 hits and scored 5 runs in 14 varsity at-bats last year. He and junior third baseman/outfielder Tom Gaede are expected to have an impact. Rounding out the rotation will be junior pitchers Tyler Parquette and Tyler Hall. “Our pitching staff is very deep,” Bogda said. “As long as we take care of our arms, we will be just fine.”

Dundee-Crown Chargers

Coach: Tommy Parisi (1st year)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2011 record: 24-14, 17-7 (fourth)

Top returning players: seniors Kyle Bernhard (SS), Erik Brewer (P/1B), Zach Desmond (OF), Chris Gorman (P), Tyler Gross (P/DH), Nick Hathon (3B), Mike Hazelhurst (P/1B/DH), Jake Romano (CF), Max Schell (3B); junior Dylan Kissack (C)

Key newcomers: Kyle DeAtley (RF/P), Luis Garcia (3B/DH), Nick Lodi (1B/P), Trent Muscat (2B), Tim Olsen (OF), Garrett Ryan (IF/OF/P), Ryan Suwanski (LF/P)

Outlook: First-year coach Tommy Parisi, a Conant graduate, inherits a solid team. Leading the way is future Miami of Ohio RedHawk Jake Romano. Now in his fourth season as D-C’s varsity center fielder, Romano is coming off a year in which he hit .394 (41-for-104) with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs and 27 RBI. He walked 20 times in 128 plate appearances and was hit by 5 pitches, contributing to his .504 on-base percentage. Back for his third varsity season at catcher is Dylan Kissack, one of the top students in D-C’s junior class. Kissack calls every pitch for a veteran staff headed by returning senior ace Mike Hazelhurst. Last season he went 7-1 with 39 strikeouts, 18 walks and a 2.02 ERA in 55 innings. Three other experienced senior pitchers also return to the rotation: Erik Brewer (3-3, save, 16 K, 7 BB, 3.65 ERA, 40 IP); Tyler Gross (3-2, 24 K, 15 BB, 4.16 ERA, 37 IP); and Chris Gorman (2-2, 18 K, 14 BB, 4.32 ERA, 24 IP). Senior Kyle Bernhard takes over at shortstop; he’ll play baseball and basketball at Division-III Macalester College in Minn. Junior left fielder Ryan Suwanski will add pop to the lineup. He hit 2 home runs in an 11-4, season-opening win at Larkin. “We plan on continuing a tradition of excellence,” Parisi said. “We will work hard and play the game the right way. We hope to be just as successful as last season. The area that will make or break us is our ability to eliminate mistakes on defense. We cannot give any teams in our conference more than 3 outs an inning or free extra bases or they will make us pay for it.”

Elgin Maroons

Coach: David Foerster (6th year)

Conference: Upstate Eight (River)

2011 record: 5-28-1, 3-21-1 (seventh)

Top returning players: seniors Jake Bartelt (3B/2B), Drew Bloomquist (P/1B), Eric Daly (P), Alex Doty (P), Chris Edwards (OF/IF), Andrew Higdon (SS), Derek Strohmaier (2B/0F), Gege Teschner (C),

Key newcomers: Kiko Mari (P/0F), Eric Sedlack (P/0F), Ryan Sitter (P/3B/2B/SS), Fred Slager (OF), Nick Turner (1B/P), Jon Zima (P/3B)

Outlook: The Maroons have won 14 ballgames the last three seasons combined, but there’s good reason to expect Elgin baseball will regain its competitive form in 2012, thanks to a slew of returning, experienced seniors. The Maroons should improve in all three phases of the game this season, thanks to veteran leadership. It starts on the mound with third-year starting pitcher Alex Doty. The 6-foot-1 senior struck out 36 in 29 innings last year. He’s followed by improving senior Eric Daly and third-year starter Drew Bloomquist (2-3). Coach David Foerster will bring Bloomquist along slowly due to shoulder stiffness. They will be joined in the rotation by two promising sophomores: Ryan Sitter and Kiko Mari. Sitter is also the school’s quarterback. “They’re both solid and we expect a lot of innings out of both,” Foerster said. “Pitching wins games in high school baseball, and I think depth is one of our strengths. We hope we have enough offense to help out our pitchers.” Elgin has struggled at the plate the last two seasons, but a pair of three-years starters return in catcher Gage Teschner (. 296) and shortstop Andrew Higdon. Also returning are seniors Jake Bartelt, Chris Edwards and Derek Srohmaier. “It will be interesting early to see how well we manufacture some runs,” Foerster said. “We’ll try some different lineups early on and see who fits well, who works together the best. It’s a hardworking group and we’re expecting a lot more out of them.” All three Upstate Eight River games against rival Larkin on May 15-17 will be played under the lights at Trout Park, beginning at 6 p.m.

Hampshire Whip-Purs

Coach: John Sarna (1st year)

Conference: Fox Valley (Fox)

2011 record: 15-15

Top returning players: seniors Jake Kuhn (RF), Sean O’Shea (2B), Luke Wians (P/OF); juniors Tyler Crater (C/P), Shane Hernandez (P/1B)

Key newcomers: senior Mike Laramie (SS); juniors Danny Keller (P), Justin Thinger (OF/P), Brendan Wescher (3B/P).

Outlook: It’s a whole new look for Hampshire baseball, which joins the Fox Valley Conference’s Fox Division. The Whip-Purs will navigate uncharted territory, led by a new coach who knows the FVC well. John Sarna was an assistant coach at Jacobs for most of the last 11 years. Sarna’s first Hampshire team can pitch. The Whips return three solid hurlers in juniors Tyler Crater (4-3, save, 34 K, 5 BB, 3.95 ERA, 39 IP) and Shane Hernandez (2-0) and senior Luke Wians (2-4, save, 27 K, 20 BB, 4.95 ERA 35 IP). Joining the pitching mix are Justin Thinger and Brendan Wescher and lefty Danny Keller. Thinger will be “another arm people weren’t counting on,” Sarna said, while Wescher is a hard thrower who can be used as a starter or a closer. “Most of our kids on the mound are around the strike zone, which will be key with these new BBCOR bats,” Sarna said. “We’ll be pitching inside. It won’t just be Prairie Ridge doing that anymore. A lot of teams will be working in. We’ve prepped our kids to see more inside fastballs and be able to turn on them.” Wians and Crater were Hampshire’s top two hitters a year ago. Wians hit .356 (31-for-87) with 4 doubles and 16 RBI. He got on base at a .451 clip and scored 18 runs. Crater hit .325 (25-for-77) with 7 doubles and 14 RBI. No other Whip-Pur hit above .300 last year, though infielder Sean O’Shea and outfielder Jake Kuhn are each expected to see upticks in batting average in their second varsity seasons. Crater is a force at catcher. An expert at blocking balls in the dirt, he can shut down opposing running games with his strong arm. Hampshire will otherwise attempt to tighten up on defense after allowing 41 unearned runs last season. “Defense is going to be our Achilles’ heel,” Sarna said. “We’ve been working quite a bit on that. We’re loaded with pitching, but we have to pick the ball up. We have a nice team, I think. They have a bulldog mentality and they love learning. I’m starting off this year with some pretty good kids to set the foundation.”

Huntley Red Raiders

Coach: Andy Jakubowski (7th year at Huntley, 13th overall)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2011 record: 22-11, 17-7 (third)

Top returning players: seniors Brody Burkhart (2B), Nick Corpolongo (OF), Jordan Chiupek (SS/IF/P), Bryan Doherty (P/OF), Justin Gundlach (P/1B), Brandon King (2B/IF), Craig Klein (P), Dan Lowry (P/3B), Mark Merevick (OF), Tyler Mindak (C), Jake Perkins (OF); juniors Tyler Albright (2B), Colin Lyman (P/OF), Bryce Only (P/SS/3B), Kameron Sallee (1B)

Key newcomers: seniors Christian Heustis (C), Jon Vazquez (P/3B); juniors T.J. Adams (P/OF), Colin Green (P/OF), Jake Lackovick (P/OF), Josh Perkins (P/3B), Tom Regan (P/1B/OF), Jake Wagner (P/OF); sophomores Eric Luecht (P/SS), Mark Skonieczny (C/OF), Matt Sullivan (SS)

Outlook: The Red Raiders have the talent, depth and veteran leadership necessary to make a run at 30 wins and a deep postseason intrusion. Consider Huntley motivated after losing a 1-0 regional title game on its home field last season to Dundee-Crown. “Losing 1-0 to a very good D-C team left a bad taste in everybody’s mouth,” Huntley coach Andy Jakubowsk said. “Certainly, we want more this season.” Huntley, which lost in the state semifinals to Schaumburg, returns the heart of its batting order, led by junior outfielder Colin Lyman. The Louisville recruit hit .448 (52-for-116) with 7 doubles, a triple, 4 home runs and 30 RBI. He also drew 18 walks and scored 34 runs. Junior Bryce Only returns after hitting .333 (36-for-108) with 9 doubles, 7 home runs and 36 RBI. The are rejoined in a potent lineup by senior returnees Nick Corpolongo (. 373, 4 2B, 22 RBI, 11 BB, 27 R), Brody Burkhart (. 431, 9 2B, 24 RBI, 14 BB, 29 R), Justin Gundlach (. 378, 7 2B, 22 RBI) and Jake Perkins (. 287, 8 2B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, ). The Red Raiders are just as fearsome on the mound with the return of Gundlach and seniors Bryan Doherty and Chris Klein. Gundlach went 7-3 with a 2.20 ERA. He struck out 44 and walked 11 in 50 innings. Doherty went 4-2 with a 1.65 ERA, 37 strikeouts, and 7 walks in 39 innings. Klein finished 4-1 with 2 saves and a 2.30 ERA. He fanned 26 and walked 12 in 32 innings. Jake Perkins and senior Dan Lowry will also get some starts. “We have some nice bullpen arms as well,” Jakubowski said. “We have another three or four guys who can give us a couple of innings. The plan early is to shorten up a ballgame. We’ll have our starters go 5 innings, then turn it over to the relievers. If it works, we’ll stick with it. That would keep our pitch counts down and keep our arms fresher for the postseason.”

Jacobs Golden Eagles

Coach: Jamie Murray (1st year)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2011 record: 14-19 11-13 (tied sixth)

Top returning players: seniors Zac Camacho (P/3B), Greg Mixon (P/3B), Mark Self (1B/3B), Ryan Ulmer (OF); juniors Connor Conzelman (OF/P), Kenny Finn (SS),

Key newcomers: juniors Evan Blunk (OF/P/3B), Sam Graham (P), Matt Hickey (Util.), Nick Ledinsky (P/OF), Max Rider (1B/P), Greg Sidor (C), Aaron Traub (2B/P)

Outlook: New coach Jamie Murray, who pitched at Bradley, takes over a program starting from scratch with new coaches at every level. Murray is Jacobs’ fourth head baseball coach in seven years. He inherits a team that struggled to compete a year ago in the Valley Division, one of the state’s toughest Class 4A leagues. However, some veteran holdovers return to mesh with a junior class used to winning to form what Murray hopes will be a competitive squad. Returning to the varsity lineup are seniors Mark Self and Zac Camacho and juniors Connor Conzelman and Kenny Finn. Self signed a few weeks ago with downstate Logan Community College. Conzelman is a hard-hitting outfielder, while Finn started every game at shortstop last year as a sophomore. Camacho took over at third base midway though last season. Ulmer has been swinging the bat well this spring, according to his coach. The lineup will be fortified by a junior class that finished 28-2 as sophomores and 28-3 as freshmen. That class includes football-playing catcher Greg Sidor, 6-foot-4 pitcher Max Rider and basketball player Nick Ledinsky. Pitchers Ledinsky and Rider have yet to lose a high school baseball game. In all, 17 juniors are on the 25-man roster. “The competition is wide open,” Murray said. “We have about 16 kids fighting for 9 o 10 spots, which I like. We’ve conveyed to our players that just because you start Game 1 doesn’t mean you’ll start Game 5.” Murray said his top four pitchers are interchangeable: seniors Greg Mixon (1-4, 26 K, 22 BB, 3-12 ERA, 24 IP) and Camacho (1-0, 13 K, 3 BB, 2.86 ERA 14 IP) along with Rider and Ledinsky. “A big part of what we’ve done is communicate to guys their roles,” Murray said. “Those roles can change moving forward, but everyone has been communicated his role from Day 1. We have a really competitive schedule. so we have to eliminate freebies. If we have less walks, hit batters and errors than the other team, we’ll probably succeed three quarters of the time.”

Larkin Royals

Coach: Matt Esterino (4th year, 43-62)

Conference: Upstate Eight (River)

2011 record: 11-21, 5-19 (sixth)

Top returning players: seniors Pete Lennard (SS/2B), Kyle Newquist (P/OF), Austin Royse (P/OF), Drew Shore (SS/2B/P); junior Niko Morado (C)

Key newcomers: juniors Chris Guzeman (3B/SS/2B/P), Brayden Royse (P/1B/OF); sophomore Dylan Ganow (P/3B/1B)

Outlook: The Royals have an experienced, deep pitching staff and a dependable defense. They hope its enough to improve their standing in the UEC River. “We will be very strong defensively when healthy, especially in the infield,” coach Matt Esterino said. “We have a high baseball IQ and will look to be aggressive on the basepaths and at the plate.” Returning pitchers include seniors Kyle Newquist (2-4, 51 K, 21 BB, 5.57 ERA, 44 IP), Austin Royse (3-3, 18 K, 8 BB, 5.35 ERA, 32 IP) and Drew Shore (2-6, 18 K, 15 BB, 7.07 ERA, 31 IP). Returning hitters include Shore (. 367, 3 2B, 13 RBI), Newquist (. 346, 6 2B, 6 HR), junior catcher Niko Morado (. 358, 5 2B,) and Jack Eckholm (. 306). The Royals won’t be a full strength until their eighth game of the season, however, because three players were suspended for the first 7 games of the season for code of conduct violations. “Guys are going to have opportunities with a couple of our guys out,” Esterino said. “We’re looking for guys to seize that opportunity.”

St. Edward Green Wave

Coach: Tim Dovichi (1st year)

Conference: Suburban Christian (Gold)

2011 record: 8-20

Top returning players: seniors Luke Duffy (P/OF), Tyler Morawski (1B/P); juniors Antonio Domel (SS), Jacob Koehring (P/OF); sophomores Tighe Koehring (C), Ryan Nudd (3B/P)

Key newcomers: sophomores Michael Castoro (2B), Tyler Tamaka (C); freshmen Jake Lefrenz (P), Jack Tierney (P)

Outlook: Green Wave baseball opens a new era under first-year coach Tim Dovichi, who worked as an assistant under former coach Gene Belmonte for three seasons. Dovichi inherits a young team overall. In the second game of a doubleheader against Nazareth last week, St. Edward started six underclassmen. “I’m already seeing a lot of improvement, especially with the mental game and how the game is played offensively,” Dovichi said. “Just continue getting better game by game, that’s all we ask.” Though St. Edward is a young team, several players did gain experience last season. Six position players return to the lineup along with the team’s top two pitchers. The rotation is headed by ace Luke Duffy. A four-year starter, Duffy is weighing an offer to play football at Harvard and an offer to play football and baseball at Washington University in St. Louis. The pitching staff is also bolstered by the return of junior Jake Koehring, the No. 2 pitcher a year ago. Two promising freshmen, Jake Lefrenz and Jack Tierney, will follow in Duffy’s footsteps as four-year varsity performers. Lefrenz, a lefty, shut out Lisle in his first varsity start this week. Junior Antonio Domel leads off, followed by sophomore second baseman Michael Castoro. Both have been getting on base for the Wave’s 3-4-5 hitters, Duffy, Jake Koehring and sophomore Tighe Koehring. “Even though we are still a young team, we have great potential this season,” Dovichi said. “We will continue to gain valuable experience as we look to compete in every single game.” St. Edward competes in the Suburban Christian Gold with Immaculate Conception, Walther Lutheran, Aurora Christian, Aurora Central Catholic and Guerin.

South Elgin Storm

Coach: Jim Kating (6th year)

Conference: Upstate Eight (Valley)

2011 record: 24-10, 16-9 (second)

Top returning players: seniors Ryan Ford (OF/P), Andrew Perry (P), Andrew Weedman (1B/OF); juniors David Palmer (P)

Outlook: South Elgin is coming off a season of near misses. Despite setting a new school record for wins, the Storm fell 1 game shy of tying Waubonsie Valley for the UEC Valley title and lost 1-0 in the regional championship game to rival Streamwood, which went on to reach the Elite Eight in Class 4A. Graduated are .300 hitters John Menken (SIU), Robbie Green, Nate Garris and Kenny Lowden. However, the heart of the pitching staff returns intact, led by junior David Palmer and senior Andrew Perry, the latter of whom will play college baseball for St. Joseph (Ind.). Palmer went 5-1 last year with 44 strikeouts and 14 walks in 46 innings. He posted a 3.30 ERA. Perry had an ERA of 0.95 in 15 appearances, 14 in relief. He finished 3-2 with 5 saves after walking 11 and striking out 44 in 36 innings. The offense is buoyed by the return of senior Andrew Weedman, who hit .311 (32-for-103), with 6 doubles and 19 RBI. Senior Ryan Ford hit .382 (21-for-55) and drew 11 walks to finish with a .485 on-base percentage. He stole 10 bases and scored 17 runs. “As always, we will rely on pitching, defense and timely hitting,” South Elgin coach Jim Kating said. “Hopefully, our young team, which experienced the excitement of a successful regular season last year, will take that momentum in into the spring.”

Streamwood Sabres

Coach: Steve Diversey (5th year at Streamwood, 8th overall)

Conference: Upstate Eight (River)

2011 record: 30-17, 19-6, (tied first)

Top returning players: seniors Richie Gorski (SS/P), Zach Harris (P), Brent Kiesel (2B), Brandon Larkin-Guilfoyle (3B), Dalton Lundeen (1B), Alex Morrow (CF), Edgar Saldivar (C)

Key newcomers: juniors Jeremy Campbell (P), Matt Harding (P/OF), Mike Murowski (1B/P), Michael Smith (2B), Jeff Weaver (OF)

Outlook: The 2011 season was the best in program history. The Sabres shared their first conference crown with St. Charles East, then went on to win the school’s first regional and sectional baseball titles before falling to eventual Class 4A state champion Lyons in a supersectional in Rockford. What will they do for an encore? “Of course, at this point we always think we have enough to compete with the best teams in the area,” coach Steve Diversey said. “Time will tell. If we can develop solid Nos. 3 and 4 pitchers, we’ll compete because our offense is sound. It’s up to some of the juniors to come up and play big.” Leading the pitching rotation will be uncommitted senior Dalton Lundeen. The left-hander was the No. 2 pitcher on the team last year behind all-area honorary captain Josh Harris (Villanova). Lundeen went 7-2 with a 2.74 ERA. He struck out 71 and walked 23 in 61 innings. He’s joined by University of Illinois recruit Richie Gorski, who this season moves to his natural position of shortstop from third base. On the hill last year, Gorski went 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA, 15 strikeouts and 2 walks in 18 innings. Zach Harris, Josh’s 6-foot-9, 220-pound “little” brother gets a shot at the No. 3 spot. He went 2-0 in 2 starts last year with a 2.33 ERA in 12 innings. He struck out 15 and walked 4. Juniors Jeremy Campbell, Matt Harding and Mike Murowski will be in the pitching mix. The Sabres return some quality bats, led by Gorski. He hit .405 (51-for-126) with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 36 RBI. Outfielder Alex Morrow moves from left field to center. Committed to play football at Northern Illinois, Morrow hit .322 (37-for-115) with 6 doubles, 2 triples 7 home runs and 28 RBI. He also stole 13 bases in 14 attempts. Senior Brandon Larkin-Guilfoyle, an all-area basketball player, moves from second base to third. He’s coming off a season in which he hit .288 (34-for-118) with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 21 RBI and 19 walks.

“We still have a lot of team speed, so we won’t miss much there,” said Diversey, whose team last year stole 108 bases in 121 attempts compared to 44 steals in 57 tries by its opponents. “The division is going to probably come right down to the end again. I think we have enough to compete for the title and for a regional, maybe even a sectional. Who knows? We’re the defending conference champs, so we’ll just take it one game at a time.”

Westminster Christian Warriors

Coach: Jeff Moeller (11th year)

Conference: Northeast Athletic

2011 record: 25-8

Top returning players: seniors Ray Adame (OF), Zack Edwards (OF/P), Tyler Greene (C/IF), Colton Jeralds (OF), Ryan Perez (P/3B/1B), Dylan Scully (OF/P); junior Will Woodhouse (OF)

Key newcomers: juniors Johnny Wawro (P/IF/C/OF), Tim Rodgers (C/OF), Clay DeHaan (IF/P); freshmen Luke Weston (IF/P), Chase Woods (IF)

Outlook: The Warriors have been reduced from three top-flight pitching arms to one. The dynamic duo of pitchers Ryan Perez and Kevin Elder has been broken up. The two have been the area’s toughest 1-2 pitching punch for the last two seasons and combined to win a Class 1A state title as sophomores. However, Elder transferred to Burlington Central in January and was ruled ineligible for his senior season by the IHSA. That leaves Perez, who normally devastates opponents with both his left and right pitching hands. However, Perez underwent Tommy John surgery last fall on his right elbow, meaning he will pitch left-handed only this spring. Opposing hitters still have much to fear in a player expected to be chosen this June in Major League Baseball’s first-year amateur player draft. “He’s still the Ryan of old from the left side, Westminster coach Jeff Moeller said. “His fastball has some giddy up. You can really see in him the difference between his junior year and senior year. He’s confident in his ability, plus he’s matured mentally and physically.” Perez, a four-year varsity player twice named to the Daily Herald all-area team, last year finished as the area leader with 9 victories against 1 loss. He also saved 3 games. He led the area in strikeouts for the second consecutive year with 143 and walked just 23 in 66 innings. His ERA was 1.38 and his WHIP was 0.59. At the plate, Perez hit .373 (41-for-110) with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs and 22 RBI. He scored 32 runs and drew 10 walks to forge an on-base percentage of .426. Joining Perez in the rotation is junior Clay DeHaan, who pitched well in early season games against Montini and Boylan. The lineup returns regulars like Will Woodhouse, Tyler Greene and Dylan Scully. Freshmen Luke Weston and Chase Woods will be the first members of the Class of 2015 to contribute to the varsity. Moeller calls that class the Elgin private school’s biggest and deepest yet in regard to baseball talent. “We’re young, obviously,” he said, “but we’re going to take the same approach we always do: work the kids hard and get better. I think we’ll compete. Anytime you have a guy like Ryan you can beat anybody as long as you play defense behind him and put some runs on the board. We’ll be tough to beat if we do that.”