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: Lemont
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2019 Record: 21-16
Conference: South Suburban Blue
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Brian Storako
Playoff Run: Regional Finals appearance
2019 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 5 

OUTLOOK

This Lemont lineup is going to look a lot like it did in 2019, for a team that won 21 games. Its spark plug OF Cameron Nagel (2020; uncommitted) is back and so are his 28 stolen bases from a year ago as the team’s everyday center fielder. Junior INF Austin Murray broke into the team’s starting lineup late last year and is coming off a great performance at our Lockport Preseason I.D., where he ran a 6.76 in the 60-yard dash complemented by some smooth glovework up the middle – and he topped 94 mph off the tee in the exit velo station, too. It looks like Murray will be the one to fill the big shoes left behind by SS Bobby Wisz (2019; Triton JC).

Elsewhere, senior Anthony Fornero is an Evansville commit who’s been relied upon on varsity for three years now. He’s a versatile defender who also stole 39 bags last year while slugging .970. Joining Nagel, Fornero, and Murray in the lineup are a cast of solid seniors with the talent to keep the offense churning. 

Lemont will, however, be looking for innings on the mound in 2020 and this is where high-profile sophomore Brady Small can make the biggest impact. He’s a high-follow left-handed bat who was also up to 84 mph from the bump last summer, where he’ll be needed most this spring. 

This is a strong core that will field a deep and competitive lineup, though Lemont will go as far this spring as their rotation can take them. We’ll see if Small and/or the rest of this staff can keep them in ballgames long enough for their offense to secure the lead.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Austin Murray (2/17/20)

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

Find more information on the 2020 Indians below:
+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

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