Willowbrook pitcher Ryan Mintz understood the daunting challenge for his junior season.

As a sophomore, Mintz pitched in several big games for the Warriors.

With talented five senior hitters leading the way, the Warriors set a school record for wins in a season (26-9) before bowing out in a Class 4A sectional title game to South Elgin.

A year later, Mintz is the headliner for a program looking not to take a step back from last season’s stellar showing, which included a second-place finish in the West Suburban Gold.

“I gained a lot of confidence from last year that will help me,” Mintz said. “We had a really good team, and that helped me prepare for this season.”

Three outings into the season, Mintzis still working on his command. The Warriors (4-4, 0-1) suffered a 5-0 league loss to Hinsdale South on April 2. Mintz suffered the loss, but managed to workout of some tough bases loaded situations.

Ethan Pieniazek threw two innings in relief, and Vince Ruchala also got work.

Willowbrook coach Vic Wisner said he talked to Mintz before the season about his elevated spot in the rotation.

“He’s our number one [pitcher] and will go up against the other team’s best pitchers every week,” Wisner said. “He wants the ball, got a really good fastball and an effective curveball and he just goes out and competes every hard.

“Even [Monday], it was not his best outing. [Hinsdale South] had the bases loaded multiple times but they didn’t get a run. He competes, good or bad, and is even-keeled. He was our number two last year, but he pitched in our regional and sectional championship game. He has pitched in big moments, knows how to face big teams.”

Mintz, a captain, said the entire pitching staff is working collectively to handle the shift in dealing with closer games due to the loss of numerous big hitters. Last season, Mintz, a right-hander, finished with a 6-2 record and 2.00 ERA.

“We have a lot of really good pitchers, and we all worked hard in the offseason to get ready for the season,”Mintz said. “It’s been tough with the cold weather, but I feel I have more command and stronger this season.”

Besides Mintz, the Warriors’ pitching staff includes junior Jack Nilles and emerging sophomore Dax Meyer. Nilles, also a righthander, is coming of a breakout performance. He compiled a sterling 8-1 record with a 1.86 ERA last season.

“Expectations were high that we were going to throw the ball well, and they’ve lived up to expectations,” Wisner said. “We knew early on that’s where our strength would be, replacing hitters is never easy and this kind of weather is never easy. They’ve kept us in every game.

“Dax is pitching well. He’s a two-way player, not ready if he’s hit on varsity. He can pitch up on the varsity, has a dynamite two-seam sinker, he’s a bulldog, one of toughest kids, a really mentally strong tough kid and does not make excuses.”

IC Catholic Prep

CJ West struck out five in a complete-game effort, leading the Knights past Fenton 3-0 on April 2. West drove in a run, Griffen Eichhorn scored twice and Jack Enright doubled and scored a run for ICCP (4-6, 1-0).

Timothy Christian

Jimmy Allen got the win on the mound and Connor Gwaltney and Harrison Stanton doubled for the Trojans in a 4-3 win over Walther Christian on April 2. Trent Marrera got the win, and Stanton doubled in the Trojans' 9-0 win over AC Valley (Pa.) on March 29.