By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we counted down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. Over the next week or so we will take a look at the teams that were on the bubble:

Team: Downers Grove South
Preseason Rank: Not Ranked
2015 Record: 30-6
Conference: West Suburban Conference - Gold Division
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Darren Orel
Playoff Run: Lost in the Sectional Final
2015 Final Rank: 14
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Danny Oriente, C/OF, 2016
Corey Vondra, 3B/OF/P, 2016
Ben Ficht, OF/1B/DH, 2016
Bobby Justus, 2B, 2016
Zack Jones, LHP, 2016
Ty McCulloch, LHP, 2016
Mike Greco, LHP, 2017
Charlie Walsh, SS, 2017
Nick Stacey, OF/LHP, 2018
Brett Riegler, C, 2018
Cameron Crowley, UTIL, 2018
Mike Hall, 1B/OF, 2018

X-FACTOR
Danny Oriente. Louisville recruit. Ranked No. 12 in Illinois’ 2016 class, has long been lauded as one of the top hitter’s in the state of Illinois. He hit an astounding .560 last spring, with 25 extra-base hits (15 doubles, eight triples, two home runs), while driving in 39, scoring 35 runs, walking 12 times, and stealing 13 bags. Perhaps the most impressive stat is that Oriente struck out three times all year long in 121 plate appearances.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
2B Joe Engel (Columbia)
RHP Peter Hamot (Lewis)
1B Joe LaCivita (McKendree)
2B Zack Radde (Wisconsin-Oshkosh)
3B Ryan Taylor (Heartland CC)

2016 Season

+ Preseason Top 25 Team Countdown Previews 

+ Updated Illinois 2016 Rankings

+ Complete Illinois High School Schedules