Weekly Diamond Notes

O’Fallon’s first baseman, junior Matthew Albritton, earned PBR Illinois Player of the Week honors after he was at the epicenter of the Panthers’ big week. He powered O’Fallon past Mason (OH) in the Midwest Select and went 10-for-16 last week and didn’t strike out in his 19 plate appearances.

Each week, we’ll acknowledge some of the best performers who fell just short of being named the Player of the Week. Let’s take a look at 2018’s latest edition of Diamond Notes in the section below. There was tons of action last week which made for some memorable performances. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.

Week 5 Performances

Cory Ronan, LHP/OF, Routt Catholic, 2021
In his debut on the mound for varsity, the freshman tossed a seven-inning no-hitter against Williamsville. He was just two errors away from throwing a perfect game, too. He did not allow a walk nor hit in his seven innings and struck out eight batters, needing only 79 pitches to complete the feat.

Payton Hutchings, LHP, Coal City, 2020
Payton Hutchings was our first PBR Illinois Player of the Week this year when he threw a 21-strikeout, seven-inning perfect game. Well, it was more of the same last week. In his latest start, Hutchings threw another no-hitter and struck out only 16 batters this time against rival Manteno. He’s struck out a jaw-dropping 44 batters in 19 innings this year.

Jacob Maton, RHP,  Glenwood, 2018
Glenwood’s ace Jacob Maton has been typically electric all season for the Titans and he looked phenomenal once again for his team last week. He was on the unfortunate end of a 1-0 loss to ranked Normal U-High in his start where he allowed just one hit, two walks, and struck out 14 in six innings of work. The only run he allowed was unearned.

Alexander Gregurich, RHP, Joliet Central, 2019
Last week for the Steemen, junior Alexander Gregurich made three clutch appearances, tossing 8.2 innings, and only allowed one earned run and struck out six. It was only an extension of how good he’s been this season, throwing 17.1 innings while maintaining a 1.21 ERA, striking out 15 batters along the way.

Ben Sodikoff, SS, Deerfield, 2018
Deerfield took on two Central Suburban League rivals and senior shortstop Ben Sodikoff helped gives his team a big edge. He was his typically clean self on defense while on offense he led the way by going 4-for-7 with two doubles, a triple, and drove in seven runs. Deerfield took down Glenbrook South 15-4 and is currently up 5-1 against Evanston in a suspended game.

Brandon Folk, LHP/CF, Rockford East, 2018
The senior Brandon Folk is the first of two Rockford East honorees on this week’s list. Folk lifted his team on the mound, in the batter’s box, and on the basepaths last week. He threw six innings and allowed just one run (unearned) on three hits, two walks, and he struck out seven. He also went 3-for-6 with two doubles, three runs scored, and drove in five -- and he stole a couple bases, too.

Scott Gowan, RHP/SS, Rockford East, 2018
The second Rockford East mention, Scott Gowan, also helped his team both on the mound and at the plate. Gowan was one out away from a complete game shutout, throwing 6.2 innings allowing no runs on four hits, no walks, and he struck out 12 before he was relieved. He was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, four walks, three runs scored, and an RBI. He stole a base as well.

Peter Turelli, RHP/INF, Lake Forest, 2019
Peter Turelli totally stifled a then-on-the-bubble Warren Township team last week and threw a no-hitter to help his team tightrope to a 1-0 win. Turelli struck out five and walked only two in seven innings of dominance.

Nick Guerra, SS, Morton, 2019
Morton’s shortstop Nick Guerra had a huge week for his team, specifically at the plate. He went 11-for-20 with two home runs, a double, a triple, and he drove in six runs and scored nine times. He also made a start on the mound where he tossed six solid innings, allowing just one earned run and struck out seven.

Logan Peterson, RHP, Morton, 2018
Guerra wasn’t the only standout from Morton last week, either. Senior righty Logan Peterson shined on the mound and at the plate. He was 12-for-20 with two homers, a double, and he drove in six runs and scored 10 times. On the mound, he tossed a complete game allowing just two runs and he struck out 10 batters and walked only one.

Gage Olszak, 1B, St. Laurence, 2018
The Vikings’ first baseman helped his team to three wins last week, including two over ranked opponents Saint Viator and Chicago Catholic League rival Mount Carmel. It was a critical week in conference play for St. Laurence and Olszak lifted his team offensively by going 7-for-11 with two homers, two doubles, and 12 RBIs. Nine of those RBIs and both homers came in the Vikings’ 17-7 win over Saint Viator.

Bobby Wisz, SS, Lemont, 2019
The junior shortstop from Lemont, Bobby Wisz, had a big week for the Indians by going 9-for-14, homering twice and drove in 12 runs. Lemont is 8-4 this season and Wisz is a big reason why.

Bryce Wheeler, LHP, DeKalb, 2018
Bryce Wheeler, the senior lefty from DeKalb, pitched big in the Barbs’ game with Morris. He threw six scoreless innings and allowed just three hits while he struck out 11 before being removed on account of the IHSA pitch limit.

Andrew Petsche, C, Oswego East, 2020
Oswego East won all three of its games last week and their sophomore catcher, Andrew Petsche is a big reason why. He drove in eight runs and hit a home run, a triple, and a double for the Wolves and also walked twice. Petsche is slugging .679 this year, so this is really just a continuation of an excellent season.

Connor Gill, OF, Oswego East, 2020
Petsche wasn’t the only sophomore honoree from Oswego East, he’s joined by Connor Gill, who had a big week in his own right. Gill went 6-for-9 last week with four stolen bases and five RBIs. While he’s technically more known to us for his abilities on the mound, he’s demonstrating that he’s fully capable of contributing at the plate, too.

Josh Mesenbrink, 3B, Triad, 2018
Triad’s senior third baseman, Josh Mesenbrink, had a huge week for his team. He went 10-for-18 and homered twice, driving in nine runs along the way.

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