Clearing out the notebook …

Oswego outfielder Cory Johnson enjoyed a four-game streak that nearly put his name in the IHSA record books. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound unsigned senior reached base 18 consecutive times, one shy of the state record. From April 7 through April 14, the left-handed hitting Johnson collected 11 hits and seven walks during the streak before he flew out to the left fielder.

Johnson, who also possesses a strong throwing arm and good quickness, is hitting an astounding .700 (28-for-40) this spring with seven doubles, three triples, 28 runs, 14 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Even more impressive, he has an .800 on-base percentage.

College Commitment: Matt Lynch, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-hander from St. Ignatius HS, has committed to the University of Maryland. Lynch, who was up to 88 mph at the Prep Baseball Report Unsigned Senior showcase in the winter, will join Naperville North senior OF/LHP Charlie White at Maryland. The next PBR Unsigned Senior Showcase is on June 10 at Oakton CC in Des Plaines.

Bringing the Noise: Downers Grove South RHP Nick Burdi, who’s the No. 1-ranked junior in the state, continued to elevate his status as one of the premier recruits in the country. The 6-foot-5 Burdi struck out all 15 batters he faced on Saturday in a five-inning rout of Hinsdale South. What’s more, Burdi’s fastball sat at 94-95 in the first inning and pitched the entire game 90-91.  

Who’s Hot: St. Charles East is off to a surprising 12-4 start and is tied for first in the Upstate Eight with a 6-2 mark. A big reason for the Saints’ emergence is junior LHP Wes Benjamin, who’s been lights out this spring. Benjamin is currently 5-0 with a 0.45 ERA, and he opened the season by throwing 29 consecutive scoreless innings. In 32 innings pitched, he has tallied 39 strikeouts to six walks, with complete-game wins against Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley.

The Saints’ turnaround also has something to do with first-year coach Dave Haskins. In Haskins’ first season at Prairie Ridge in 2008, Haskins won a state championship. Senior 3B Ryan O’Dell is hitting .517 with three homers and seven doubles while senior 2B John Erickson is hitting .500 with 12 doubles.

Warren sophomore Pat Kenney is making a huge impact in his first varsity season for the 15-2 Blue Devils. Already, the athletic 6-foot-3, 185-pound Kenney has nine home runs after he blasted two more on Monday. Kenney, who starts at shortstop, is also impressive on the mound. In the winter he showed an 84-87 mph fastball with a splitter that has the potential to be a plus pitch.

Have some interesting news? Email Sean Duncan at [email protected]