Prep Baseball Report

Diamond Notes: Week 6


By: Peter Hamot
Area Scout

Each week, IHSA coaches around the state submit to us their nominations for the PBR Illinois Player of the Week honor. On Wednesday, we awarded the Week 6 POTW honor to MIF Eli Hoerner (Freeburg, 2022; Iowa Western CC), who went a combined 9-for-14 at the plate with two home runs, a triple, double, 11 RBIs, seven runs scored and swiped four bases. His week was highlighted by a two home run contest - where he slugged back-to-back homers in two at-bats, with one being a grand slam to help lead Freeburg to a 16-0 victory.

There were a number of other impressive performances that were in the mix for the award and deserve recognition. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.

Week 6 diamond notes

Bryer Arview SS / 2B / Civic Memorial, IL / 2023

The Former Future Gamer had an impressive week, putting together a near perfect effort at the plate. Arview finished the week 5-for-7 with two doubles, a triple, home run, two RBIs, seven runs scored and swiped one base. His most impressive game came on Friday the 22nd; where he went a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, double, RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base. On the season, Arview is now hitting .527 with an on-base percentage of .587, slugging percentage of .873, 10 doubles, three triples, one home run, 15 RBIs, 26 runs scored, 15 stolen bases and seven walks.

Mateo Casilias / Mahomet-Seymour, IL / 2023

Casilias collected a .556 batting average over this past week of play; going 5-for-9 with two home runs, a double, six RBIs and four runs scored. Casilias' efforts helped propel Mahomet-Seymour to a 2-0 record on the week, making them now 13-3 overall.

Nathan Chapman RHP / Jacobs, IL / 2022

The Eastern Illinois commit was lights out in his start against No. 3 Huntley on Saturday, helping to lead the team to a 5-1 victory over the Red Raiders. Chapman ended up going six innings with no earned runs on just four hits and eight strikeouts - only walking two. 

Eddie Chavez / Farragut, IL / 2022

Chavez put together an impressive week on both sides of the ball. On the mound, the Farragut senior tossed 9.1 innings of hitless ball, not allowing a single run and striking out 21. At the plate, Chavez went 7-for-13 with seven RBIs, 10 runs scored and 18 stolen bases. Through 12 games this year, Chavez is hitting .435 with 10 RBIs, 20 runs scored and 30 stolen bases - while on the mound, he has 17.1 innings with a 1.21 ERA and 37 strikeouts.

Ryan Coon OF / 1B / Freeport, IL / 2024

The uncommitted sophomore put together a 6-for-12 week last week; including a home run, double, four RBIs, five stolen bases and three runs scored. Coon has been a key component to the Pretzels success this year as an underclassman, helping them to an impressive 14-2 record so far on the season.

2.4.23

Shawn Coy LHP / 1B / Lindblom, IL / 2022

The uncommitted senior put together a 6-for-11 week at the plate; recording two doubles, one triple, eight RBIs, two runs scored and four walks - helping to boost Lindblom to a 3-1 record on the week. His most impressive game came in a 12-11 victory over Brooks; where he went 2-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs and a run scored.

Jason Czaplewski / Westmont, IL / 2022

The Westmont senior put together an impressive week at the plate; going 9-for-15 with a home run, three doubles, 13 RBIs, 12 runs scored, three walks and two stolen bases. His home run came against Benet Academy on Wednesday, and was his first career long-ball on varsity.

Ean DiPasquale RHP / 1B / Belleville East , IL / 2023

The uncommitted junior tossed a no-hitter agaisnt Carbondale on Saturday; striking out six to just three walks over his five innings of work. On offense, he helped the Lancers to a 5-0 record by compiling a .625 on base percentage - also going 2-for-8 and walking eight times in five games.

Bennett Fleming / Willowbrook, IL / 2022

Fleming has been a key contributor in Willowbrook's early success and this week was no different; going 11-for-17 at the plate with two triples, three doubles and 12 RBIs. The backstop also limited the run-game but throwing out two of four attempted base stealers.

Adam Galdoni 1B / RHP / Carmel Catholic , IL / 2023

The Butler commit helped give No. 4 Saint Viator their first loss of the year by the score of 11-6 thanks to his perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate; recording a grand slam, double and three RBIs. Galdoni finished the week with five hits in 10 total at-bats to power Carmel's offense.

Easton Harris SS / RHP / Washington, IL / 2022

Parkland commit Easton Harris was instrumental in helping Washington to a 1-0 win over rival Morton; going seven innings with 15 strikeouts, one hit and one walk - also going 1-for-2 at the plate with two walks. The following day against Morton, Harris went 1-for-3 at the plate with a triple, run scored, walk and a stolen base.

Antwan Harvey Jr. 2B / RHP / Lindblom , IL / 2023

The junior right-hander fired seven strong innings on the mound to pick up the win over Jones; allowing one earned run, six hits and striking out nine to just two walks.

Dillon Head OF / LHP / Homewood Flossmoor, IL / 2023

The Michigan commit had a dominant week at the plate, going 7-for-12 with two home runs, four RBIs, six runs scored and a stolen base. His most impressive game came on Thursday, where he went 4-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs, three runs scored and a stolen base. Head is now hitting .441 on the year and has been a catalyst at the top of Flossmoor's lineup.

Mason Lei RHP / Freeport, IL / 2023

The uncommitted junior took care of business on both sides of the ball this past week. At the plate, Lei went 5-for-10 with a home run, double, four RBIs, seven runs scored and three stolen bases - also recording an on-base percentage of .615 over this frame. On the mound, Lei tossed six strong innings against Hononegah with seven strikeouts, two walks and three earned runs - ultimately receiving the loss but still impressing nonetheless. 

Gus Lucas LHP / Washington Community , IL / 2022

The Bradley commit led the Panthers to a 6-4 win over Morton this past week; going six strong innings with 14 strikeouts, five hits, no earned runs and just one walk - also going 1-for-4 at the plate with a double and a run scored. The following game against Joliet Catholic, Lucas chipped in going 1-for-2 with two walks and a double. 

AJ McEneany 3B / Neuqua Valley , IL / 2023

The uncommitted junior limited the potent Naperville Central offense to just three hits and one run over six innings of work, ultimately earning the win by the score of 6-1. McEneany also struck out seven to three walks in the contest, improving to 2-0 on the year.

Gustavo Padilla / Lindblom, IL / 2024

The sophomore put together a strong week on both sides of the ball, especially at the plate; going 7-for-15 with eight RBIs, four runs scored and walk. On the mound, Padilla tossed 2.1 innings with one earned run to earn the win in relief against Brooks - also collecting the go-ahead RBI in the same contest.

Edgar Pulido / Lindblom , IL / 2023

Pulido was lights out on the mound this week; tossing a total of six innings with three hits, no earned runs, two strikeouts and one walk. His most impressive outing came against Agricultural Science, where he notched the win after going five innings with three hits, no earned runs, two strikeouts and no walks. 

Andrew Pyszka SS / C / Putnam County, IL / 2023

The Putnam County junior went a combined 11-for-19 this past week with a home run, triple, two doubles, four RBIs, 12 runs scored, five walks and nine stolen bases. His home run was a two-run opposite field shot in the bottom of the seventh against Princeton to walk them off and secure the win. On the season, Pyszka is now hitting .403 with a 1.163 OPS, two home runs, one triple, seven doubles, 11 RBIs, 40 runs scored, 18 walks and 32 stolen bases - surely acting as a driving factor in Putnam County's overall success and 15-7 record.

Julius Sanchez RHP / 2B / LaSalle Peru, IL / 2022

The Illinois commit turned in a dominant week on both sides of the ball, including a walk-off home run against conference rival Ottawa to win in the bottom of the eighth inning. On the week, Sanchez went 4-for-10 with a home run, four RBIs, four runs scored and two walks - recording an OBP of .462, .700 slugging percentage and a 1.162 OPS. On the mound, Sanchez tossed six innings against Morris and collected 11 strikeouts, no earned runs, four hits and just two walks.