Nathan Napolitano was pitching junior varsity last spring while Waubonsie Valley was winning its first sectional title in 20 years. The senior right-hander has stepped into a key role this year, and won his third straight start with six strong innings to beat Oswego 6-1.

Sandwich senior catcher Jeffrey Ashley had never hit a high school homer until this week. On Wednesday he homered for the second straight game against Plano, a three-run shot, and Sandwich built a nine-run lead and held on to beat the Reapers 12-10 in a game with four homers.

Aurora Central Catholic junior shortstop Nick Czerak, recently moved to the leadoff spot in the order, hit a homer, triple and double Saturday to power the Chargers past visiting Plano 7-5.

Duke commit Colin Doyle struck out nine over four shutout innings, and Downers Grove North went on to a 4-1 win over visiting Oswego East on Tuesday.

The Ottawa baseball team used a go-ahead, two-run single by Logan Cottingham in the sixth inning to earn a come-from-behind 8-5 victory over Plano at King Field in Ottawa on Tuesday.

The Marquette baseball team kept its strong start to the season going Monday, as the Cru scored 11 times in the second inning and finished with 21 total hits in a 21-1 victory in five innings over host Newark.

Marquette defeated Newark 21-1 on Monday, March 23, 2026 at Newark High School.

The 2026 baseball season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Record Newspapers coverage area.

Michael Hilker, who was the 2022 Record Newspapers baseball Player of the Year at Yorkville, was drafted on Monday by the Minnesota Twins in the 20th round and 599th overall selection of the Major League Baseball draft.