Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 21 New Trier

The Trevians won 22 games last season and lost in the Regional Championship, which some could classify as a “down” season for the perennial power located in the North Shore of Chicago. Expectations are always high for head coach Mike Napoleon and 2019 will be no different. Five returning senior pitchers Andrew Kost, Pete Burnside, Joe Fox, Patrick Jodloman and Patrick Anderson will give New Trier plenty to be excited about and will be leaned on as the strength of the club. Right-handers Kost and Burnside have ace potential and both finished with ERA’s under 2.00 last spring. Kost who sported a 1.38 ERA struck out 48 in 40 innings pitched and only walked 11. Jodloman, a right-handed pitcher, is the wild card in the group. Jodloman did not give up an earned run in 2018 but only threw 12 innings due to injury. If he is full go this spring, the Trevians will be as deep as anyone on the mound.

Juniors LHP Jack Liepert and RHP Magnus Sivertson are two other arms the Trevians have at their disposal if needed but with the depth of senior arms, innings will be hard to come by.

Depth positionally and the defense are the biggest question marks when looking at the 2019 roster. 2021 Alex Calarco, a Northwestern commit and catcher by trait, will be asked to play some shortstop at times this spring. Calarco should also be a presence in the middle of their lineup despite only being a sophomore. Filling the void behind the plate, for when Calarco is at shortstop, should be senior Donald Stricklin. Stricklin is an above-average receiver that will be tasked with handling a number of different arms. Another key to the Trevian offensive success will be junior CF Eddie Harvey. Harvey is a strong, toolsy right-handed hitter who will be looking to break out this spring. Emory commit, RF Henry Pelinski should be slated as the leadoff hitter and catalyst for the offense. Jodloman is a three-year varsity player and when not helping on the mound should be settled in at the hot corner. Alongside Calarco, 1B/DH Duke Olges (6-foot-5, 245-pounds) and 1B/DH Preston Anderson (6-foot-3, 200-pounds) should add an intriguing physical presence in the middle of the lineup. Anderson hit .345 last spring.