Preseason Bubble Teams: Loyola Academy

The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 11, 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 2019 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 2019 preseason coverage continues today.

Team: Loyola Academy
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2018 Record: 23-10-1
Conference: Chicago Catholic League Blue
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Nick Bridich
Playoff Run: Lost in Super-Sectional Championship to Huntley
2018 Final Rank: On The Bubble
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

KEY LOSSES

TOP PLAYERS

OUTLOOK

The Ramblers and head coach Nick Bridich hovered just outside the top-25 rankings last year week in and week out. Bridich lead his team to 23 wins along with a Sectional Championship title, eventually being ousted by Huntley in the Super-Sectional game ending a successful 2018 campaign.

Loyola is returning four position players and four pitchers instantly adding senior depth and leadership heightening expectations in all areas. Coach Bridich has present senior depth on the mound in Jake Novak (UW-Milwaukee commit), Joe McKermitt (North Central commit) and Patrick Neenan (Denison commit). McKermitt, a southpaw, is perhaps the most polished arm of the trio who showcased a three pitch repertoire as one of the Ramblers top dogs on the mound last spring. All three saw innings on the mound last year propelling their confidence into the 2019 campaign. 2020 RHPs Michael Ellingsen and Thomas Schafer will demand innings as well, both being strong framed athletes with heaters that sit in the mid 80s. Ellingsen, who was riddled by injuries last spring, can also swing it at the plate and should see playing time as either a first baseman or DH.

Aforementioned as a LHP, Novak will be the offensive catalyst for the Ramblers while roaming any of the positions on the outfield grass. He is a strong and athletic LHH that has present power potential and rhythm in his swing. Novak, along with fellow seniors SS Jack Moran (UW-Lacrosse commit) and utilityman Neenan (mentioned above) will look to guide their newcomers to varsity this spring. Moran is a high motor, athletic defender with plenty of foot speed, while Neenan can play any position on the infield thanks to his sturdy hands and above average arm. Neenan also has a firm fastball that should reach the upper 80s, another weapon in the teams arsenal.

C Colin Summerhill and INF Andrew Smart are two interesting Junior position players to keep an eye on this spring. Both have varsity experience already and reports have them making positive strides physically that’ll petition each for playing time when Bridich pencils in the lineup card each game.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT