High school baseball: Previewing teams from around the Suburban Life area

The high school baseball season is underway. Here are previews of teams in the Suburban Life coverage area.

Downers Grove North

Coach: Kyle Briscoe (fourth season)

2019 record: 6-26, 3-15 West Suburban Silver

Top returners: David Marshall Jr., sr., SS/2B; Lucas Nielsen, sr., SS/2B; Eli Carter, sr., LF

Key newcomers: George Wolkow, fr., 3B/P/OF; Ean Czech, so., IF/OF; Tony Konopiots, so., IF/P; Sean Ryniec, so., C/P; Michael Gorman, jr., P/OF

Worth noting: Briscoe had three sophomores on varsity in 2019 – Marshall, Nielsen and Carter – who are now seniors. They will look to bring leadership and experience to a young team. A player to watch is 6-foot-7 freshman Wolkow, a South Carolina commit. He is getting his first experience in the West Suburban Conference.

Glenbard East

Coach: Joel Pelland (10th season)

2019 record: 23-15, 19-8 Upstate Eight Conference

Top returners: Jason Cousinue, sr., OF/P; Joe Hamilton, sr., SS; Ben Elias, sr., IF; Caden Krystofiak, jr., P; Sam Greetis, sr., C

Key newcomers: Colin Murphy, jr., OF/P; Luke Seymore, jr., IF/OF/P; Joe Wolsztyniak, jr., IF/OF/P; Dylan Alejandro, sr., P/OF

Worth noting: The Rams are coming off a couple of strong seasons, 24 wins and a regional title in 2018 and 23 wins in 2019. Cousinue, who will play at College of DuPage, North Central commit Hamilton and Elias all played varsity baseball as sophomores.

“Adding the newcomers to the mix, plus some of the projected 2020 starters to the roster, we have a great core,” Pelland said. “Like the other teams in the state, we are looking forward to competing in 2021 and will take each game as an opportunity to get better and grow as athletes and young men.”

Glenbard South

Coach: Marco Eufrasio (fifth season).

2019 record: 25-14, 18-9 Upstate Eight Conference (fourth place).

Top returners: Ty Klayum, sr., P; Richie Villa, sr., P.

Newcomers: George Thomos, fr., P; Ness Damania, so., IF; Francis Valli, so., C/IF/OF; Avery Webster, so., OF/P; Nathan Zambori, so., OF; Ricky Cyrus, jr., IF/P; Jack Dawson, jr., IF/P; Josh Cline, jr., IF/P; Bryan Baisley, jr., 1B; Dom Esposito, jr., OF/P; Louie Esposito, jr., OF; Will Kalvelege, jr., OF; Adam Brzezinski, jr., OF/P; Keith Pfotenhauer, sr., IF/; Anthony O’Shea, sr., P; Patrick McMahon, sr., IF; Cade Hardtke, sr., IF/OF/P; Trevor Gelino, sr., 1B/P; Sam Brzezinski, sr., C/OF.

Worth noting: Glenbard South returns two of its top pitchers from the 2019 season in Klayum and Villa. The Raiders, though, will have to reload elsewhere after its promising group of 2020 that helped lead Glenbard South to the semifinals of the 2019 summer state tournament graduated all of its starting position players.

“Youth will gain invaluable experience this year as the Raiders battle for an Upstate 8 title and prepare for 3A state tournament,” Eufrasio said.

Glenbard West

Coach: Andrew Schultz (eighth season)

2019 record: 19-12, 12-6 West Suburban Silver, third place

Top returners: Zach Rees, sr., MIF; Danny Mulcare, sr., 1B/P; Cody Paul, sr., C/3B; Drew Cater, sr., P; Tommy Koprowski, sr., P; Jimmy Zydlow, sr., OF/P

Key newcomers: Kyle Rossy, jr., P; Chase Krueger, jr., P/3B/1B; Billy Frantzis, jr., 1B; Nolan King, jr., IF/P/OF; Trevor Metz, jr., MIF/OF; Jake Glynn, jr., C/3B/P; Nick Del Giudice, jr., MIF/OF/P; Jack Desmond, jr., C/OF

Worth noting: Rees, an Aurora University commit, and Mulcare, Paul, Cater, Koprowski and Zydlow are all players returning who would have been starters in 2020. Schultz said they are talented seniors who are itching to go after missing their entire junior year because of the pandemic. They will be paired with a junior class that the Hilltoppers are excited about. Glenbard West is coming off a 2019 season in which it won a regional title.

“Our conference is always tough, but we feel like we can compete with anybody in the state,” Schultz said.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Jason Ziemer (eighth season)

2019 record: 16-14, 8-10 West Suburban Silver (fifth place)

Top returners: Nick Mulvihill, sr., 2B/SS; Jay Randle, sr., P; Blake Edmonds, jr., LF; Brian Daker, sr., C; Evan Chatterjee, sr., 3B/SS/2B

Key newcomers: Luke Jurack, fr.; Ben Oosterbaan, so., SS/P; Luke Adams, jr.; Teddy Andrews, jr., P; Harry Fandre, jr.; Lucas Montesanos, jr., OF/P

Worth noting: The Red Devils are a young team, but look to be talented with pitching and defense as its strengths. Hinsdale Central returns five starters – Mulvihill, Randle, Edmonds, Daker and Chatterjee. Ziemer calls Adams, a Michigan State recruit, one of the top hitters in the state who plays multiple positions and can pitch. Jurack is the first freshman to start the season on Hinsdale Central’s varsity team since Ziemer has been there, and already has perhaps the best speed on the team with huge upside. Ziemer said Oosterbaan has the potential to be one of the best players in the conference, and the state, by the time he graduates. Andrews has great stuff and the potential to be one of the league’s better pitchers. Fandre can play multiple positions and will hit in the middle of the order. Montesanos should be one of the Red Devils’ top defensive outfielders and pitchers.

“If the talent adjusts to the speed and competitiveness of varsity baseball quickly, we could have a very good year and compete for the conference championship,” Ziemer said. “We have some exciting young players. We are looking forward to seeing them blend with the strong senior leadership that we have this year.”

IC Catholic Prep

Coach: Matthew Smith (first season).

2019 record: 14-19, 7-12.

Top returners: Dave Sykora, sr., CF/P; Christian Beck, sr., P; Joe Cousineau, sr., C; Mike Hilgart, sr., P/IF.

Key newcomers: Trey Manchester, so., SS; Caden Monen, jr., P/IF; Luke Murray, so., P; Dom DiCiano, jr., C; Connor West, jr., OF; Nico Zambole, sr., 1B.

Worth noting: Smith, in his first season, reports that this season “will be about building for the future and a culture change.”

“We will have a young roster with talent who are hungry to make a name for themselves.” Smith said.

Lemont

Coach: Brian Storako (ninth season)

2019 record: 21-16, second place in South Suburban Blue

Top returners: Austin Murray, sr., IF; Brady Small, jr., P/IF/OF; Luke Guenther, sr.; Jake Wilk, sr.; Ryan Tomaras, sr.

Key newcomers: Austin Belsan, jr., IF; Alex Tagler, jr., C; Pat Gardner, so., P/1B; Luke Wallace, so., OF; Carter Storti, so., SS/P/OF; Johnson, so., IF

Worth noting: Storako said there are a lot of unknowns with this team. The seniors have had great amounts of success at the lower level, but missed a big season for development. Storako thinks team defense will be Lemont’s main strength. Small is a high Division I prospect with an above-average arm and bat who probably will be Lemont’s No. 1 starter and cleanup hitter. Murray started a few games for Lemont as a sophomore and played at a high level but was stuck behind a two-time All-State shortstop in Bobby Wisz.

“We will be scrappy all around and look to put pressure on teams on the bases with our overall team speed,” Storako said. “We don’t have a bunch of guys that are going to light up the gun but hopefully we can get them on the right track on the mound to win some games.”

Lyons

Coach: Kevin Diete (seventh season)

2019 record: 24-8, 14-4 West Suburban Silver, first place

Top returners: Noah Jouras, sr., C; Emmett Spolar, sr., P/OF; Harrison Kowalski, sr., IF

Key newcomers: Jack McNamara, jr., C/IF; Cooper Ohlson, jr., IF/OF; Charlie Breen, jr., OF

Worth noting: The Lions are ecstatic to get back on the field, but returning after a year off leaves plenty of questions with a lack of varsity experience. Diete calls Jouras, a Triton commit, a leader who put work and effort into getting stronger. Spolar is a left-hander who will be a conference pitcher and work his bat into the lineup. Kowalski, a third returning starter who will play collegiately at Milwaukee Tech, is a fiery infielder who packs punch at the plate and has speed. McNamara is a left-handed hitter who could potentially be a middle of the order bat. Ohlson is a right-handed gap-to-gap hitter with some power. Breen has smooth outfield skills and is looking for a consistent starting role. The Lyons program has been a model of consistency with at least 20 wins in all but two seasons since 2000.

“We will have to rely on a lot of players who don’t have varsity experience to get us another conference championship and a deep playoff run,” Diete said. “As always, we will try to continue our tradition of pitching and defense while putting together some runs for offensive support.”

Montini

Coach: Rich Janor (20th season)

2019 record: 23-11, won Class 3A state championship

Top returners: Estevan Moreno, jr., SS/P; Antoine Harris, sr., CF/P; Jack Angus, sr., 1B/P; Patrick Wind, sr., C; Max Kasallis, sr., P; Jacob Blim, sr., P; Kyle Flynn, sr., 2B/IF; Vincent Catalano, sr., IF

Key newcomer: Cash Campbell, fr., 3B/P

Worth noting: The defending Class 3A state champion will look quite a bit different this year, with only two starters returning and only a handful of players left who were on the 2019 roster. Moreno, a Notre Dame commit, will lead the team offensively and defensively. He will join Montini’s baseball team late after the conclusion of the football season. Harris, a speedy center fielder and Wisconsin-Eau Claire recruit, will hit leadoff and is part of a Montini group with considerable speed and athleticism. Wind, committed to Rockhurst, left football to focus on baseball and is solid in all areas behind the plate. Starting pitching is a question mark. Most of the staff is untested at the varsity level. The staff will be led by Belmont Abbey commit Angus, Wisconsin-Parkside recruit Kasallis, St. Francis commit Blim and Campbell, who Janor calls one of the best freshman in the state. Campbell also will start at third base and hit near the top of the order.

Morton

Coach: Michael Casey (ninth season)

2019 record: 11-22, sixth place in West Suburban Gold

Top returners: Brandon Bonin, jr., IF; Luis Gonzalez, jr., OF; Isaiah Rosado, jr., P/C; Cameron Fernandez-Ponder, jr., P/OF; Martin Vazquez, sr., U; Oscar Peinado, jr., P/2B

Key newcomers: Hector Mendoza, jr., SS; Zeke Lopez, jr., IF; Julian Budziszewski, jr., C

Worth noting: The Mustangs are led by three-year varsity starters Bonin, Gonzalez, Rosado, Fernandez-Ponder, Vazquez and Peinado, who will be the backbone of the pitching rotation and offense. Casey said all six have excellent baseball IQs, compete and are physical players. All six have started on varsity since they were freshmen. Mendoza is a solid addition who has strong defensive skills and can swing the bat. Lopez and Budziszewski also bring a presence to the lineup and are expected to be big contributors.

Nazareth

Coach: Lee Milano (22nd season)

2019 record: 29-9, 8-5 East Suburban Catholic Conference, fifth place

Top returners: Anthony Milano, sr., 1B; Joseph Milano, sr., P; Wylder Guido, sr., IF; Ryan Smith, sr., P/IF; Justin Gutierrez, sr., IF; Jack Ryan, sr., C; Mark Maschio, sr., IF; Lucas Smith, so., OF

Key newcomers: Luke Brabham, jr., IF/P; Sebastian Gutierrez, jr., IF/P; Joey Hawkins, so., P/IF; Cooper Malamazian, fr., IF; Bobby Kutt, fr., IF; Nick Drtina, fr., P/IF; Luca Fiore, fr., P/OF; David Cox, fr., P/IF; John Hughes, fr., P/IF.

Worth noting: The Roadrunners, who took third place in Class 3A in 2018 and reached a sectional final in Class 4A in 2019, boast plenty of talented players both seasoned and young. The Milano twins, Anthony and Joseph, are both committed to play at Morton Junior College. Guido, headed for Wisconsin-Eau Claire, played varsity as a sophomore, as did Ryan Smith, who holds Division I offers. Gutierrez is committed to Loras. Ryan is committed to St. Norbert. Luca Smith would have started as a freshman last year on varsity. Coach Milano is 20 wins away from 500 for his career.

Riverside-Brookfield

Coach: Dallas Till (11th season).

2019 record: 21-11

Top returners: Owen Murphy, jr., P/SS

Worth noting: The Bulldogs have won 20 or games in 12 consecutive seasons. Till said there are quite a few unknowns at this point. “We have kids playing multiple sports simultaneously and we are just hoping to make it through a season safely,” Till said. Murphy, a Notre Dame recruit, is one of those players, the quarterback for the Bulldogs’ football team. He is ranked as one of the top players in the state by multiple publications.

St. Francis

Coach: Tom Ciombor (second season)

2019 record: 22-6, first place in conference

Top returners: Daniel Maller, sr., OF; Max McCallum, sr., OF; Tim Lilly, sr., OF; Tyler Duzansky, sr., IF; Jeffery Clark, sr., P; Noah Kuchler, sr., C

Key newcomers: TJ McMillen, so., 1B; Rocco Tenuta, so., IF; Adam Wiborg, jr., P; Vince Polizzi, jr., IF

Worth noting: This is Ciombor’s second season as coach, but first in the dugout after the 2020 season was canceled. He said St. Francis should be competitive from one through nine in the order, and the top of the pitching rotation should be solid. Clark is a four-year varsity starter. Maller is a Dubuque College recruit, and McCallum is a Loras College commit. Ciombor is looking for pitching contributions from juniors Will Ricamato, Bennett Wordekemper, Kyle Ston and Tyler Bishop, all getting their first taste of varsity baseball. He’s also expecting varsity contributions from Will Gilroy in the outfield. There is speed in the lineup with Nick Ciombor.

Timothy Christian

Coach: Brian Whartnaby (third season)

2019 record: 6-21, 2-7 Metro Suburban Red

Top returners: Ben Jones, sr., SS/P; Stephen Kwasigroch, sr., OF; CJ James, sr., OF/P; Fletcher Roemmich, jr., IF

Key newcomers: Donald Tober, so., C/P; Ethan Munk, so., IF; Casey Folkerts, fr., IF/P; Jake Armstrong, fr., IF/P

Worth noting: The Trojans have only three seniors this season with Jones, Kwasigroch and James, but they all started on varsity as sophomores. Whartnaby said they have been setting the tone in practice in leading by example. Timothy Christian will be young, but from Whartnaby has seen, the Trojans have more talent than in recent years. Whartnaby said there are more arms on the mound than two years ago and more power at the plate.

“We have a talented group of underclassmen. I’m excited to see how they grow as a team this season, and I think this group will put themselves in a good position to be successful,” Whartnaby said. “We are looking for a turnaround season in 2021 and something to build upon.”

Westmont

Coach: D.J. Cocks (10th season)

2019 record: 21-13, 6-7 Interstate 8 North, second place

Top returners: Spencer Anton, sr., P/3B/1B; Caleb Kleinz, jr., P/SS/2B; Jason Czaplewski, jr., C; James Postawa, jr., P/2B/SS/3B

Key newcomers: Lucas Hicks, fr., P/SS/CF; Noah Valentin, fr., P/2B/SS; Austin Lipasek, fr., P/3B; Jack Gedraitis, so., P/2B, OF

Worth noting: The Sentinels have switched leagues and are now in the Metro Suburban Red. That’s not all that’s new. Westmont is in a complete rebuild, with just two players back with varsity experience from the team that lost to Aurora Christian in the 2019 regional final. A young team with one senior and one sophomore will rely on a strong junior class to pave the way for talented freshmen. The Sentinels boast two strong pitchers in Elmhurst College commit Anton, who posted a 2.33 ERA in six innings in 2019, and Hicks. Cocks called Hicks “an outstanding talent who is already making big noise in practice.” Cocks said the Sentinels have good team speed.

“We are excited about being back to playing baseball,” Cocks said. “This has been the worst of times in the Sentinels’ baseball program while dealing with this world’s issues. We truly cannot wait to build up this season and get better.”

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Justin Swider (third season).

2019 record: 18-14, third place in Metro Suburban Conference.

Top returners: Shane Baumgarten, sr., 3B/SS/P; Josh Cosme, sr., C; Andy Roman, so., C; Wilber Reyes Delgado, sr., IF; Bryce Swift, sr., P; Ryan Skala, sr., 1B.

Key newcomers: Robbie Fletcher, sr., OF/P; Alex Valdez, jr., 1B/3B; Hudson Williams, so., MIF.

Worth noting: Swider, defensive coordinator of the football team, is one of many coaches and players juggling multiple sports this spring. Baumgarten, a third-year varsity player and Central Michigan recruit, anchors the Warriors’ returning players. Grace College commit Cosme will rotate behind the plate with Roman, who would have played varsity baseball as a freshman in 2020. Reyes Delgado played varsity as a sophomore in 2019 and is expected to be a big contributor. Swider said Swift will need to be big on the mound for Wheaton Academy and Skala at first base. Newcomers include Valdez, an international student who plays the corner infield spots and has a big bat.

“I am optimistic for our program this year,” Swider said. “We have some good bats in the lineup and some guys that have been really committed to their craft. These guys have been working hard for the last two years to get a chance to play. They are excited and rearing to go.”

Wheaton North

Coach: Dan Schoessling (22nd season)

2019 record: 23-10, 16-5 DuKane Conference, second place

Top returners: Aaron Holland, jr., C; Trevor Blum, sr., OF; Leo Widtmann, sr., OF; Mason Shroff, sr., 3B

Key newcomers: Will Fletcher, jr., P; Sam Cary, jr., P; Sam Reczek, P/OF; Quinn Flanagan, P/IF; Tyler O’Connor, P/OF; Jackson Moore, P/IF; Fred Elftmann, P/OF

Worth noting: The Falcons have a ton of unknowns. Wheaton North is a year removed from coming off back-to-back 23-win seasons. Schoessling said the Falcons will be young and inexperienced on the mound. He said the lineup should be able to score runs, but the defense is still a question mark.

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: John Scherrman (fourth season).

2019 record: 20-14, fourth place in DuKane Conference.

Top returners: Scott Emma, sr., C/OF; Kaden Lanier, sr., IF; Ryan Frank, sr., OF; AJ Spahn, sr., OF; Colin Weniger, sr., P/OF; Tommy Boba, jr., P/OF; Jason Hartman, jr., P/IF; Eric Swanson, OF.

Key newcomers: Keegan Murphy, sr., IF; Rowan Fahey, sr., OF; Brandon Schnack, sr., P; Ben Klimenko, sr., P; Jaxson Knorr, jr., IF; Bear Awadzi, jr., P; Eric DeCosta, fr., P/U.

Worth noting: Scherrman calls this a talented and hard-working group that like many teams has been chomping at the bit to get to play baseball. A deep pitching staff is led by Cincinnati commit Boba, Klimenko, Awadzi, Weniger, Schnack, JC Cortez and Jason Hartman that are all strike throwers with the ability to mix in any pitch in tough counts and will look to eat up big innings. Scherrman said the lineup will be unique in that the Tigers have guys who can drive the ball and others who can play small ball when necessary. He likes his speed in the outfield and a solid group in the infield that can make the routine play.

“Overall I think this group has the ability to build on and exceed the record of our team two years ago,” Scherrman sad. “Group with great team chemistry, character and work ethic.”

Willowbrook

Coach: Vic Wisner (10th season)

2019 record: 25-7, 17-1 West Suburban Gold, first place

Top returners: Hayden Kingsbury, sr., CF; David Rojo, sr., P; Bennett Fleming, jr., C; Max Viasvila, jr., P

Key newcomers: Drew Flaskamp, sr., RF; Issac Sobieszczyk, so., IF; Alex Chaltin, so., IF

Worth noting: The Warriors have been a model of consistency the past decade, with seven seasons of 20 or more wins, three regional titles and a dominant run in the West Suburban Gold in 2019. Wisner thinks this group could be pretty good. Kingsbury is a St. Ambrose commit. Willowbrook’s top guys have played over their age levels in travel ball and posted good numbers. Wisner said Chaltin and Sobieszczyck, who would have started last year as freshmen, are legit Division I caliber players. Flaskamp, who will start in right field, has made great strides during the pandemic.

“We will have very young but good pitching. Hitting has looked good as well,” Wisner said. “These guys compete in practice extremely hard, so, to me, I think we will be in the conversation for the conference championship.”

York

Coach: Dave Kalal (12th season)

2019 record: 21-11-1, 13-5 West Suburban Silver, second place

Top returners: Tyler Arista, sr., C/IF; Luke Barber, sr., IF/P; Charlie Cmiel, sr., P/1B; Tyler Procajlo, sr., IF/P; Trent Lawrence, sr., IF

Key newcomers: Ryan Pickell, sr., P; Patrick Kastner, sr., IF; Matt Pinkowski, sr., OF; Max Hansmann, jr., IF/P; Ethan Cancel, jr., 1B/DH

Worth noting: Kalal said a senior-dominated lineup will rely on pitching and defense to be successful in the always tough West Suburban Silver. Starters returning from what would have been the 2020 team include Calvin College commit Arista, Carroll recruit Barber, Blackhawk Community College commit Cmiel, Millikin commit Procajlo and Lawrence, who will play at Morton Community College. College of DuPage commit Pickell is among the new faces to watch.

“Fundamentals and situational execution will allow this year’s Dukes to continue the tradition of winning they have become accustomed to,” Kalal said.