This year’s playoffs have been as unpredictable as ever – just look what happened on Saturday in the Class 4A regional finals. Of all the surprises so far, none was more eye-opening than New Trier (30-3), which had been ranked in the top 10 for most of the season, losing to sub-.500 Glenbrook South.
Glenbrook South (14-15), which has the talent to be successful, finally put it together against New Trier in a 4-2 victory. Left-hander Michael Guinane, who’s one of the more unheralded talents in the state, pitched a complete-game gem and delivered the game-winning hit to propel the Titans into the sectional semifinals.
Another big shocker was St. Rita (29-8) falling to Stagg, 7-2, behind the gutsy pitching performance by right-hander Joe Orant. Orant scattered five hits, struck out four and walked five in a 132-pitch complete-game performance to give the Chargers (22-15) their second straight regional championship. Junior first baseman Justin Ringo belted his 15th homer of the season to help Stagg move on to face No. 1 Brother Rice in the sectional semifinals.
The other big stunner happened in Class 2A, where Harrisburg, which was the favorite to take home the state championship, fell to Pinckneyville, 4-1, in the sectional finals. Pinckneyville, which finished second at the Class A state tournament last year, was led by Brandon Hardin’s complete-game, six-hit victory.
In Class 3A, the two big surprises were Wheaton Academy taking down Nazareth 5-2. We predicted Nazareth, which has a lot of top-level talent, to make a deep postseason run this season. Whoops. We also figured Chicago Public League power Simeon could waltz right through to the supersectionals, since it didn’t have to play a team with any previous history of success. Again, we were wrong. Hancock knocked off the traditionally strong Wolverines 8-4 on Saturday.
Enough about the past, let’s look ahead at the week ahead:
In Class 4A:
ELGIN LARKIN SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Schaumburg (23-6) vs. Geneva (20-11) W 4:30
Wheaton North (21-13) vs. St. Charles North (23-11) Th 4:30
Comment: Schaumburg’s bats are hard to contain, and I doubt Geneva has the arms to slow down the Saxons, who are powered by Dominick D’Agata, George Kalousek, Steve Mahler and Mike Mistrata. Wheaton North is extremely dangerous behind juniors Jack DeAno and Trey Martin, but I still think St. Charles North has the talent to make a serious state title run. The North Stars certainly have the pitching depth. If the offense can put runs on the board, look for St. Charles North to make some noise. Schaumburg (high-powered offense) vs. St. Charles North (stellar pitching) will be a great matchup in the sectional final.
NILES WEST SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Loyola (21-13) vs Glenbrook South (14-15) W 4:15
Leyden (25-7) vs. Maine South (12-15) Th 4:15
Comment: With New Trier out of the picture, this sectional is completely up for grabs. Loyola has the most talent, but Leyden is a senior-laden group led by ace Jon Weaver, who can shut any team down. Can Glenbrook South continue to knock off higher seeds? I don’t think so. Loyola prevails, and Leyden snuffs out Maine South to move on to Saturday. Unfortunately for Leyden, Weaver can’t pitch every inning, so I like Loyola to move on.
MT. CARMEL SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Mt. Carmel (24-10) vs. Fenwick (22-9) W 4:30
Whitney Young (28-4) vs.Oak Park (23-9) Th 4:30
Comment: This sectional now looks to be the toughest of them all (I stand corrected). Both sectional semis should be tight matchups. Fenwick can really swing the bats up and down the lineup, but I think Mount Carmel has the pitching depth behind Jonah Klees, Kevin Johnson and Chris Heaney to prevail. Young has been one of the hottest teams in the state since mid-April, but Oak Park has played a tougher schedule and has much deeper pitching. I like Mount Carmel to come out of this sectional.
ST. RITA SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Sandburg (28-5) vs.TF South (24-10) W 4:15
Brother Rice (31-6) vs.Stagg (21-13) Th 4:15
Comment: The complexion of this sectional changed when Stagg knocked off St. Rita. Stagg also hammered Brother Rice earlier in the season, but I’m guessing things will be different this time around. Brother Rice has just too many weapons, and are too battle-tested, to be Stagg’s next upset victim. TF South is tough, but Sandburg should move on. The sectional final on Saturday is the best game of the day: No. 1 Brother Rice vs. No. 3 Sandburg. Flip a coin.
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN SECTIONAL
5/28/ & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Moline (29-7) vs. Minooka (26-10) W 6
O'Fallon (30-6) vs, Collinsville (20-11) Th 6
Comment: One thing I’ve learned over the last four years is don’t doubt Minooka. The Indians have been one of the state’s winningest programs over that span, and they keep producing high-level college players and wins. This year, coach Jeff Petrovic’s squad is led by Michigan State-bound RHP Tony Bucciferro and Northern Illinois-bound catcher Brett Frantini. O’Fallon is one of the best hitting teams in the state behind juniors Kyle Stanton, Nick Tindall, Nick Johnson and senior Dakota Curlee. The Panthers won the tough Southwestern Conference championship outright. An interesting side note: Minooka and O’Fallon shared the third-place state trophy two years ago. There will be no sharing this time around – O’Fallon moves on to the supers.
NEUQUA VALLEY SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31 FINAL
Neuqua Valley (29-6) vs. LW East (22-10) W 4:30
Benet Academy (23-13) vs. Lockport (21-9) Th 4:30
Comment: Junior ace Ian Krol will be throwing against Lincoln-Way East’s scorching offense that scored 38 runs in two five-inning regional wins. Lincoln-Way East is one of the hottest teams in the state behind catcher Joe Turek (13 homers), Michigan-bound SS John Lorenz, and junior Brandon Hohl, but the defending champions are solid top to bottom. Plus Krol can just dominate hitters. In the other game, Benet ace Bryan Roberts has been as dominant a pitcher as there is in the state. In the regional championship against Wheaton-Warrenville South, Roberts K’d 14 – just about his average – and there’s no reason to think he won’t do much of the same against Lockport. Neuqua has the pitching depth; look for the Wildcats to advance.
LIBERTYVILLE SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Carmel (30-5) vs. Highland Park (26-6) W 4:30
Mundelein (28-5) vs, Buffalo Grove (13-14) Th 4:30
Comment: Highland Park has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, but Carmel has too many weapons. Mundelein has been rock solid all season behind RHP Eric Rohe (13-0). Buffalo Grove, which advanced to the state tournament last year, has struggled but is on a roll behind Eastern Illinois-bound shortstop Zach Borenstein. Look for an all Mundelein sectional final: Carmel vs. Mundelein – with Carmel advancing.
ROCKFORD GUILFORD SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Rockton Hononegah (21-7) vs. Rockford Auburn W 4:30
Prairie Ridge (26-8) vs.Crystal Lake S. (14-13) Th 4:30
Comment: Prairie Ridge is the class of this sectional. After some early season growing pains, the Wolves are playing up to their abilities and should cruise through this sectional … and beyond.
Class 3A SECTIONALS
(In Bracket Order)
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
SECTIONAL 5/28 & 5/29/08; 5/31/08 FINAL
Lakes (18-13) vs. Crystal Lake C. (15-15) W 4:30
Marian Central Catholic (21-6) vs. Richmond-Burton (17-15) Th 4:30
Comment: Marian Central Catholic has been on a roll all season, and with Matt Huck on the mound, it is especially tough to beat. In the sectional final Huck K’d 12 and yielded five hits against Johnsburg (which was my sleeper pick of the sectional).
NAZARETH SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Wheaton Academy (16-13) vs. Riverside-Brookfield (21-11) W 4:30
Guerin Prep (16-10) vs. Glenbard South (21-14)Th 4:30
Comment: With Nazareth getting upset by Wheaton Academy, Glenbard South is the clear favorite to advance out of the sectional. Senior catcher Joe Biagini has put up monster offensive numbers all season for Glenbard South, which knocked off Montini 1-0 in the regional final. Riverside-Brookfield has enjoyed a nice season, but Glenbard South should come away with this one.
CENTRALIA SECTIONAL
5/28/08 & 5/31/08 FINAL
Highland (31-4) vs. Marion W 4
Mattoon (27-5) vs. Mascoutah (14-17) W 6:30
Comment: Highland is the obvious choice here, thanks to Jake Odorizzi and his 69 consecutive scoreless inning streak. But this won’t be a cakewalk for Highland. Marion also features an ace – 6-4 junior left-hander Nathan Dorris – who has the stuff to shut down any offense. It should be a classic pitcher’s duel, but look for Odorizzi and No. 5 Highland to advance.
DECATUR (EISENHOWER)
SECTIONAL 5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08
FINAL
Mt.Zion (10-17) vs. Springfield (Lanphier) 14-21 W 4
Champaign Centennial vs Chatham Glenwood (29-5) Th 4
Comment: Glenwood OF-P Trevor McGrath (9-1), who threw a one-hitter with 14 Ks in the regional final, is one of the best-kept secrets in the state. No. 10 Glenwood should advance here with a great matchup against Highland looming in the supersectionals.
GALESBURG SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31/08 FINAL
Peoria Richwoods (20-12) vs.Bloomington (25-8) W 4:30
Limestone (24-11) vs. La Salle-Peru (16-14) Th 4:30
Comment: Bloomington knocked off highly regarded Normal West, 6-4, in the regional final, and should roll past Richwoods in the sectional semifinal. Even though LaSalle-Peru’s record doesn’t show it, L-P has quality wins under its belt, such as Rock Falls and Sandburg. Junior SS-RHP Karch Kowalczyk and sophomore RHP David Suarez are high-level prospects for L-P, which advanced to the supersectionals last year. Make it two years in a row for L-P.
ROCHELLE SECTIONAL
5/28 & 5/29; 5/31 FINAL
Rock Falls (28-2) vs. Sycamore (22-9) W 4
Marmion (18-8) vs. Belvidere North (16-12) Th 4
Comment: No. 4 Rock Falls has been a top 10 for the last half of the season. Behind Iowa-bound ace Jarred Hippen (11-0), junior left-hander Taylor Eikenberry and freshman phenom Jake Junis, the Rockets have the pitching to make a run for the Class 3A title.
CRESTWOOD
STANDARD BANK
SUPER-SECTIONAL 6/2/08 4:30 pm
CHICAGO BROOKS SECTIONAL
5/29 & 5/29; 5/31/08
Hancock (18-7) vs. Harlan (18-12) W 4:30
Jones (23-5) vs. Brooks (6-17) Th 4:30
Comment: This was supposed to be Simeon’s sectional to lose … and the Wolverines lost it in a shocker against Hancock in the regional title game. So it looks like Harlan, which has been one of the more successful Chicago Public League teams over the years, to lose now.
CRETE-MONEE SECTIONAL
5/28 &5/29; 5/31/08
Joliet Catholic Academy (28-6) vs Crete-Monee (23-8) W 4:15
Oak Forest (25-7) vs.Illiana Christian (29-3) Th 4:15
Comment: Of all the class 3A sectionals, this is the toughest: No. 2 Joliet Catholic, No. 12 Illiana Christian and Oak Forest are all extremely tough. But JCA is the team to beat, not only in the sectional, but in the entire state tournament. Illiana Christian features Kentucky-bound standout Braden Kapteyn, who fired a five-inning no-hitter in the regional title game, and junior Kevin Lasowski. Kapteyn can beat any team in the state, but he will likely pitch against Oak Forest, which means JCA advances to the supersectional.