The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 16, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2020 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2020 preseason coverage continues today.

Team: Lake Park
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2019 Record: 19-17
Conference: Dukane
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Dan Colucci
Playoff Run: Sectional Semi-finals appearance
2019 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 5

OUTLOOK

The Lancers are looking to build off their strong 2019 season with a mix of experience and young talent on this year’s roster. Senior right-hander Nic Aehlert (2020; Belmont Abbey commit) brings an imposing presence on the mound with his 6-foot-5 frame. He’s expected to shoulder a heavy dosage of work at the front of Lake Park’s rotation. 

Coach Colucci's squad is going to heavily rely on the production they get from their junior class that features two top-100 prospects in the 2021 class. All-Conference shortstop Chris Worcester (2021; uncommitted) is a gamer-type shortstop with natural defensive actions that will be a mainstay at the top of this lineup for the entire season. LHP Jackson Kent (2021; uncommitted) and INF Giacomo Fanizza (2021; uncommitted) are two prospects that impressed our staff at the Preseason All-State showcase a few weeks ago. Kent has touched 86 mph with his fastball and should get his fair share of work on the bump this season. Fanizza has a fast bat and swings with intent. He could end up being this team’s go-to run producing bat as the season goes on and is a prospect on the rise after his performance this winter. 

Two interesting underclassmen to note for Lake Park are RHP JC Ahlstedt (2022; uncommitted) and C Danny Rollins (2023: uncommitted). Ahlstedt will compete for a spot in Lake Park’s rotation and Rollins could get some work behind the plate in his first season of high school ball. Just like they do every single year, Lake Park is ready to field a competitive roster and is a team to keep an eye on in the competitive DuKane Conference. 

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Giacomo Fanizza (2/9/20)

Make sure to follow @PBRIllinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2020 season.

Find more information on the 2020 Lancers below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Twitter

MORE ON THE BUBBLE