Baseball: Scouting Lake County
Antioch
Coach: Frank Fracek
Last year’s record: 21-13-1, 10-8 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Jack Olson, sr., P-1B; Dylan Feldkamp, sr., P; Jake Eriksen, sr., C-1B; Mason Wilis, jr., C-IF; Nathan Yeager, jr., P-OF; Jackson Mozina, jr., OF; Zach Rubin, soph., IF
Key newcomers: Ben Clausen, jr., P; Connor Devine, jr., SS; Tyler Johnson, jr., P-OF; Jack Majerowski, jr., P-IF; Caiden Mentkowski, jr., P-IF; Evan Schmidt, jr., 1B; Cameron Speich, jr., 2B-IF; Carson Young, jr., C-P-OF
Worth noting: Antioch has seven starters back in Feldkamp (P), Olson (P), Yeager (OF), Mozina (OF), Willis (IF), Rubin (IF) and Eriksen (IF). Willis and Yeager are returning all-conference players. Olson is headed to Northern Illinois University, while Feldkamp will be off to Heartland Community College. “We had a very young team last year of guys playing key positions who return this year,” Fracek said. “We have a junior class that is very deep with a lot of guys who can play all over the field and pitch. We have a ton of pitching and guys who throw with different styles. I think we will play strong defense. I will be curious to see how we hit it.” Fracek said the conference will be tough with Grayslake Central standing out, but others such as Grant, Lakes, Wauconda and Grayslake North ready to take the next step. “Our conference is going to be tough to win and is up for the taking this year,” Fracek said.
Carmel
Coach: Scott Anderson
Last year’s record: 15-17-2, 2-10 East Suburban Catholic
Top returning players: Rhett Wolf, OF; Juan Ledezma, IF; Medkao Curry, OF; Jacob Chajet, P; Jon Hoy, P; Luke Nichol, P
Key newcomers: Hayden Martinson, soph., SS; Nick Vortherms, soph., P-OF; Emerson Larson, P; Dante Wade, jr., OF
Worth noting: Anderson takes over for longtime coach Chuck Gandofi, who retired. Anderson has 6 starters back from last season’s 15-win team, including all-ESCC pick Chajet, who struck out 34 in 39 innings and posted a 3.41 ERA. Wolf had 6 doubles and 11 RBI, while Ledezma hit .296 with 15 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Curry hit .324 with 13 RBI and 7 steals. Hoy struck out 30 in 32 innings of work and Nichol posted a 1.47 ERA and issued only 4 free passes in 23 2/3 innings. Anderson is also high on junior catcher Carson Hubert, “who has put a lot of work in the off-season,” he said. Hoy also has turned some heads on the mound during spring practices. Anderson added Curry and Wolf should be solid middle-of-the-lineup bats. Carmel has 12 pitchers on the roster. “Pitching depth will be a strength,” he said. “They all can contribute on the mound. We should also be improved offensively with a deep bench.” Anderson knows his team will have to be on its toes in the tough ESCC. “We should be competitive in one of the best conferences in Illinois,” he said. “It’s going to depend on how well we adjust to a new system and all new staff.”
Grant
Coach: Dave Behm
Last year’s record: 17-17, 9-9 Northern Lake County (Class 4A regional title)
Top returning players: Ryne Dzierzynski, jr., SS-RHP; Kyle Stigler, jr., RHP-IF; Connor Mirocha, sr., C-OF; Braden Otahal, P
Worth noting: Grant has 6 starters returning from a team that won a regional title a year ago. Stigler was 4-2 with a 1.88 ERA last season, Mirocha hit .337 with 15 RBI and a .429 on-base percentage, while Otahal had 7 decisions on the mound (4-3) and knocked in 18 runs at the plate. Grant has a couple of college commits in Mirocha (Carthage) and Cole Bush (Baldwin Wallace University). Keep an eye on junior shortstop, right-handed pitcher Dzierzynski. “We lost some important pieces to graduation, which should provide returners and newcomers opportunities to step up into important roles,” Behm said. “However, we return a lot, including 6 juniors who were on the varsity as sophomores. The mixture of returners and newcomers should be a nice balance to have a solid 2024 season.”
Grayslake Central
Coach: Troy Whalen
Last year’s record: 33-8, 18-0 Northern Lake County champions
Top returning players: Jordan Dumas, sr., OF; Cal Hanson, jr., 1B-OF; Jerry Miller, jr., P-2B
Key newcomers: Ian McGowan, jr., 3B; Colton Ohm, jr., P-OF; Jake Peterson, jr., C; Cayden Woods, sr., SS; Jacob Redker, sr., P-OF; Jacob Rand, sr., P-OF; Jadon Dumas, sr., P; Conor Freeney, sr., P; Conor Freeney, sr., P; Jonny Restrepo, sr., P; Sam Pirie, sr., C; Beckham Stone, soph. 1B; Soren Hansen, soph., C; Luke Eckenstahler, soph., P
Worth noting: The Rams are coming off a 2023 season where they finished second in Class 3A, won the NLCC title for a third year in a row and ticked off 30 or more wins for a third year in a row. Dumas hit .320 with 15 RBI, 21 runs scored and 12 steals. Hanson hit .350 and scored 10 runs, while Miller was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 15 innings of work (only 3 walks). While a lot of talent graduated from the state runner-up team, a lot of talent still graces the Rams’ roster. “We have depth both on offense and defense, especially with our pitching,” Whalen said. “It’s no secret we graduated 17 seniors from last year’s team. That said, we have some returning seniors and juniors who have had success over the years. They know how to compete and they can play.” Whalen said the Rams will throw 3-plus pitchers a game, “and offensively we can interchange and match up a lot of guys,” he said. “We will be strong again up the middle and that is always a difference-maker.” Whalen said Woods is as good as they come at shortstop, while Miller plays second and returning part-time starter Dumas will be in center. Whalen also is excited about catching depth with Peterson, Pirie and Hansen, “with anyone being able to solidify the position,” he said. Whalen said the cavalry will be coming in the NLCC. “We should be right in the mix at the top of the conference,” he said. “Teams were young last year so Antioch Lakes and Grant all have a bunch of returning starters. Every game should be a battle as in past years.”
Grayslake North
Coach: Eric Lopez
Last year’s record: 16-18, 7-11 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Ethan Feldman, sr., OF-P; Cameron Bates, jr., utility-P; Chris Filas, jr., IF-P; Mitchell Hughes, jr., C; Ryan McCumber, sr., IF
Key newcomers: Andrew Winling, soph., OF
Worth noting: The Knights bring back 7 starters, headlined by returning all-NLCC and all-area selection Feldman, who hit .341 with 7 doubles and 16 RBI, while also starting 4 games on the mound. Bates, who Lopez noted now has a fastball sitting in the mid-80s, was a reliever last year but will be one of the team’s Top 3 starters. Filas also will help in the rotation after being in the pen last season as a sophomore. Hughes is back behind the plate, while McCumber has been praised for his leadership skills. Winling was mainly a DH last year on the frosh team, but Lopez noted he’s put in a lot of offseason work to earn a varsity roster spot. “This is a group with a good deal of varsity experience,” Lopez said. “This group worked hard in the offseason and is eager to get out and start competing. This is also a group that meshes well. I have been thrilled by the leadership displayed by the seniors. This is obviously key for building a strong program.” Lopez also sees a competitive NLCC landscape. “Last season it seemed anyone could beat anyone on any given day,” he said. “I expect that to still be the case. I definitely see us right in the mix and anticipate another competitive season from our competition.”
Lakes
Coach: Chris Hoffman
Last year’s record: 12-17-1, 9-9 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Owen Klosinski, jr., OF-P; Jaden Jackson, sr., IF, P; Derek Lucier, sr., OF-P; Will Hough, sr., OF-P; Spencer Kennamann, sr., 1B-RHP; Mason Stiegleiter, sr., C-IF; Evan Dahl, sr., OF-P; Matt Gaetano, sr., OF-P
Key newcomers: Zack Raffone, jr., IF; Carson Norris, soph., IF; Ethan Jablonski, soph., IF
Worth noting: The Eagles return four all-NLCC selections in Klosinski (. 347, 9 2B, 3 3B, 2.65 ERA in 37 innings), Jackson (. 344, 7 2B, 4 3B, tea-high 39 IP), Lucier (. 343, .990 OPS, 9.1 innings in relief) and Hough (. 341, 9.1 innings in relief). Jackson is headed to Milwaukee School of Engineering, while Hough will continue his career at College of Lake County. Jackson and Klosinski threw a combined 76 innings last year. Kennamann, a North Iowa Area Community College commit, hit .291 a year ago and will see significant mound innings, Hoffman said. Stiegleiter caught the majority of the innings and hit .287 with 6 doubles. Dahl also is headed to College of Lake County. “We have a lot of experience,” Hoffman said. “We have a good mix of returning players and new players. I am looking forward to coaching this group and seeing this group compete on the field.”
Lake Zurich
Coach: Scott De Caprio
Last year’s record: 13-13, 7-7 North Suburban
Top returning players: Jonathan Fleaka, SS; Ryan Kondrad, 3B; Will Crawford, P; AJ Foley, C; Riley O’Donnell, C-1B; Cash Kaczmarek, OF; George DiCanio, P-OF
Worth noting: The Bears return 7 starters from last year’s squad headlined by all-NSC selections in Fleaka (. 352 batting average; .545 slugging) and Kondrad (. 370 average; .519 slugging). Foley hit .383 last year, while O’Donnell was at .354 with a .479 slugging percentage. Kaczmarek had a .418 on-base percentage, while DiCanio hit .339. Fleaka is headed to UIC, while Kondrad will continue his career at Parkland College. “We have a ton of returning starters and most have had varsity experience from freshmen and sophomore year,” De Caprio said. “We will be able to hit the ball really well and play solid. Our question will be which pitchers will fill the void left by all-stater Lucas Foley.” De Caprio said Stevenson, Libertyville, Mundelein and Warren are teams to keep an eye on in the North Suburban. “How we do against them will dictate our conference,” he said.
Libertyville
Coach: Matt Thompson
Last year’s record: 21-14, 11-3 North Suburban co-champions
Top returning players: Quinn Schambow, jr., C; Josh Holst, jr., 1B-LHP; Anthony Fry, jr., P, Cole Lockwood, jr., SS; Sam Calsin, sr., LHP
Worth noting: The Wildcats have some impressive returning folks with three Division I commits and a Division III as well from a team that shared a conference title and won a Class 4A regional crown. Schambow, committed to Oklahoma State and labeled the best catcher in the state by Thompson, is back after hitting .409 with 31 RBI, 14 extra-base hits and 15 runs scored. Holst, an Air Force recruit, had 4 homers and 21 RBI as a sophomore and went 4-0 with a 3.89 ERA with 61 strikeouts in a strong 50.1-inning workload. Fry went 4-1 and fanned 25 against 6 walks in 32 1/3 innings. Lockwood, a junior, is a Valparaiso commit, while Calsin struck out 40 in 36 1/3 innings — for those keeping score that’s 119 varsity innings returning from 3 pitchers. And senior catcher-outfielder Hayden Koonce will continue his career at Division III Wilmington College. Schambow and Holst are returning all-NSC players.
Mundelein
Coach: Randy Lerner
Last year’s record: 21-10, 9-5 North Suburban
Top returning players: Caden Earing, jr., P-IF; Kenny Nanos, sr., P; Sean Sanderson, jr., P-OF; Griffin Troha, sr., 3B; Alex Koontz
Key newcomers: Nick Szalony, jr., IF; Johnny Weiss, soph., IF; Joey Kafka, jr., P-IF; Jake Junia, jr., P-OF
Outlook: The Mustangs are pitching rich in a pitching rich conference. Earing (University of Illinois commit) posted a 1.22 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 23 innings with an 0.83 WHIP. He also hit .292 at the plate. Nanos (Valparaiso commit) went 5-0 with a 3.03 in 32 innings, while Sanderson had a 1.84 ERA and mowed down 33 in 26 2/3 innings. Troha (Warburg College) is back after hitting .293 with 3 triples. Koontz hit .393 a year ago on a team that advanced to a Class 4A regional title game. Evan Niernberg, a senior, is headed to John Carroll University, a Division III outfit in University Heights, Ohio. Lerner is hoping pitching and defense will be Mundelein’s calling cards this year in a conference loaded with talent. “Libertyville and Stevenson should be pretty good,” he said. “We expect to be competing at the top of the conference.”
Round Lake
Coach: Ed Miller
Last year’s record: 1-24, 0-18 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Ben Bliem, sr.; Ryan Bliem, sr.; Riley Walsh, sr.; Johnny Lozada, sr.; Dylan Ditmmer, jr.; Javier Rolan, jr.
Worth noting: Ben Bliem and Riley Walsh are returning all-NLCC selections. Miller said Walsh is looking to continue his baseball career next season at College of Lake County. “We have six guys returning who started or got some serious playing time,” Miller noted. Miller added a name to keep an eye on is Rolon, a junior. “Javier has some talent for a junior, offensively and defensively,” he said. “I would look to Javier to open some eyes.” This is Miller’s first season as Panthers head coach. “As a program, we have been working on playing sound defense and improving our process at the plate,” he said. “We hope to build our foundation from there. We are simply looking to play those conference opponents tough and let the chips fall where they may.”
Stevenson
Coach: Nick Skala
Last year’s record: 30-10, 11-3 North Suburban co-champions
Top returning players: Brady Rosenkranz, jr., P; Nick Rayyan, P; Brandon Schultz; Frank Costabile
Key newcomers: Joey Dolenga, sr., SS; Ben Fawcett, sr., P; Ryan Martin, soph., IF; Yunus Hamideh, jr., P; Kosuke Sakamoto, jr., OF; JT Victor, sr., utility; Drew Clark, soph., P
Worth noting: Stevenson lost 14 seniors from a 2023 team that shared a conference title and was one win shy of a trip to the Class 4A state semifinals. Rosenkranz was 2-2 with a 3.65 ERA last year with 42 strikeouts in 23 innings of work, while Rayyan was 4-0 with a 2.62 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 29.1 innings. Schultz hit .385 with 33 RBI, 29 runs scored, 10 extra-base hits and was a perfect 23-for-23 in steal attempts. Costabile hit .327 with 12 RBI, 9 extra-base hits and fanned 18 in 9 innings of work on the mound with no ERA. Schultz and Costabile were honorable-mention all-NSC picks. Schultz (Eastern Illinois) is of six Stevenson players with college baseball plans, joining Ben Fawcett (Mount St. Mary’s), Rosenkranz (Missouri commit), Rayyan (Benedictine), Brayden Fell (Simpson College) and Tyler Martini (Quincy, Illinois). Five starters are back for the Patriots. Skala said pitching depth and team athleticism are key strengths and is looking for Stevenson to contend for a Top 3 spot in the North Suburban.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Pasquale Atteo
Last year’s record: 4-27, 3-13 Central Suburban North
Top returning players: Connor Brockway, soph., P-1B; Ethan Zyblut, jr., P-1B; David Biede, jr., SS; Dylan Einhorn, sr., 3B
Key newcomers: Robert Miller, soph., P-2B; Tyler Perritt, jr., LF; Rudy Mohrdieck, sr., CF; Simeon Friedman, jr., C
Worth noting: “We are a young team with a core group of juniors and sophomores,” Atteo said. The Cougars return 4 starters from a year ago with Einhorn back after being injured the majority of last season. “Pitching and defense will be strengths,” Atteo said. “We are determined to bounce back after a down year.” Einhorn was cited for his leadership excellence. “Our core group of athletes is young,” Atteo said. “We have a great senior leader in Dylan, who is going to steer the ship for many of these young players.” Atteo said the Cougars relish a competitive CSL North schedule. “It’s always a competitive conference with talented student-athletes and filled with quality head coaches,” he said. “We are looking to compete in every conference game and surprise teams. The boys are eager for conference play and have a chip on their shoulder from last year. We look forward to making a statement this year.”
Warren
Coach: Clint Smothers
Last year’s record: 28-8
Top returning players: Landon Theron, Owen Skoraczewski, Jake Jurkacek
Worth noting: The Blue Devils were hit exceptionally hard by graduation. Grayslake Central graduated 17 seniors and Warren one-ups them with 18 seniors gone from a team that advanced to a Class 4A regional title game last season. As Smothers put it, 0 returning starters, 0 returning infielders, 0 returning outfielders, 0 returning catcher and 1 pitcher returning in Theron, who went 2-3 with a 3.80 ERA and fanned 26 in 2023. “We haven’t seen these kids play and no one has proven themselves at the varsity level,” Smothers said. “Rebuilding, to say the least.”
Wauconda
Coach: Shawn Rudolph
Last year’s record: 12-16-1, 10-8 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Danny Newman, P-1B; Colin Christensen, OF-P; Zac Johnson, IF, Tyler Tylka, P; Ryan Fostiak, OF.
Key newcomers: Pasta Shannon, jr., P; Logan Connolly, jr., IF-P; Lucas Swanson, soph., C-3B; Jaxson Miglans, soph., P-OF; Dom Ciaburri, soph., C; Tyler Rosenberg, jr., C; Kevin Sanks, sr., IF; Jake Thorstensen, soph., OF-P
Worth noting: Newman (. 376), Christensen (. 396), Johnson (. 342), Tylka (1.83 ERA) and Fostiak (. 349) are returning all-NLCC players with Newman, Christensen and Fostiak earning all-area honors. The Bulldogs have 8 starters back from an NLCC runner-up team. Newman and Christensen are committed to Blackhawk College, while Tylka (Parkland) and Johnson (Dubuque) also have college baseball plans. “We have many high-level returners who have a very good work ethic as well as having a high expectation of themselves,” Rudolph noted. “Overall hitting will be a strength as well as defense. We have 2 returning all-conference pitchers with a great bullpen behind them.” Rudolph sees another balanced NLCC. “We will be fighting for the lead,” he said. “Finishing second last year has motivated us and we have set our goals to achieve more.”