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Official Start Of The Spring Season Begins

March 2, 2015

By Drake Skleba
Senior Writer

The first official day of practice for Illinois high school baseball begins today. After Saturday’s state-wide snow storms struck the Land of Lincoln, we would be hard-pressed to find any school that will be practicing outdoors for a while.

When we ever do get to play baseball, the 2015 season ought to be another classic year throughout Illinois. Providence Catholic, Lemont, Pleasant Plains and Illinois Lutheran will be out to defend their 2014 state baseball championships.

Class 4A champ Providence lost Jake Godfrey (LSU) and Dylan Rosa (Kent State) to graduation but return a solid nucleus for head coach Mark Smith. Fresh off leading Providence to the Class 7A state football championship in November, senior quarterback/RHP Justin Hunniford (5-1, 2.33) returns to solidify the Celtic staff. Senior Brent Villasenor, who was 7-1 with a 2.22 ERA, returns to the rotation as well. Four sophomores who started for the Celtics during their championship run are now juniors, led by Zach Pych (.325) and the Mike Madej (.295) return. Madej and Pych were also starters for the state football champions.

Class 3A champ Lemont sent their dynamic duo of PBR 2014 Player of the Year Jake Latz and his All-State batterymate Mike Papierski to Baton Rouge at LSU. All-State SS Mike Wisz, Jake Terrazas and the durable Charley Wright have also moved on to play college baseball. Don’t feel too sorry for Indian head coach Brian Storako, for the cupboard is not completely bare in Lemont. Hard-throwing junior RHP Garrett Acton (6-2, 2.30) and sophomore RHP Ryan Sublette (5-0, 1.95) are back to solidify the Indian staff.

Class 2A champ Pleasant Plains graduated their two top pitchers Mitch Koehler and Chad Weller but return almost everyone else. Led by seniors Cole Hamilton (.419), Dylan Bee (.379) and super-sophomore Cole Greer (.360), the Cardinals, under the tutelage of their venerable head coach Dave Greer, should once again content for another state title.


Class 1A champ Illinois Lutheran, located in Crete welcome back senior RHPs Grant Farmer (10-0, 0.19) and Jared Buzan (8-1,0.66) for another run to Peoria. Head coach Mark Kjenstad returns only three Charger regulars from the 2014 champs.

With the start of the high school season, we will begin rolling out the Preseason Top 50 Countdown team previews. The countdown begins later today. Hopefully by the time the preseason No. 1 team is unveiled, the snow will be melted.

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