Clearing out the Notebook …

College Commitments: Illinois Wesleyan landed four strong prospects recently: Warren RHP Jeff Johnson, Warren OF Jon Frericks, Naperville Central 1B/OF Bobby Czarnowski, and Hampshire LHP Kent Larson.

Trinity Christian College received three more commitments from Gordon Tech RHP/1B Danny Britt, Illiana Christian LHP Vince Can Schouwen, and Timothy Christian C Matthew Meyer. … Heartland CC LHP Jacob Hadsall has committed to North Central College next year. Hadsall helped Olympia win its first of two consecutive state championships two years ago. ... Zach Zindel, a speedy OF from Olympia HS, has committed to Lincoln Land College.

Flaming Hearts: No. 19 Effingham is off to a strong start and looks to be a contender in Class 3A thanks to another stellar season by Chad Green. The 6-foot-3 right-hander, who’s the No. 4-ranked senior in the state, is more known for his prowess on the mound, but he’s also leading the Flaming Hearts at the plate. The left-handed hitting Green is batting .514 with four home runs and 23 RBI. The Louisville recruit is also getting it done on the mound. This season he’s 3-1 with a 0.34 ERA and 34 strikeouts to four walks. As a junior, Green went 9-1 with a 1.85 ERA and 98 Ks in 68 innings. Green’s twin brother Chase, a left-handed hitting shortstop, is signed at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

On the Rise: Sophomore LHP Will Headean from Morton HS (in Morton) is establishing himself as one of the premier Class of 2012 prospects in the state. In fact, long-time Olympia coach Ron Smith, whose team fell victim to the sophomore this year, said that the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Headean is one of the most impressive left-handers he’s seen in the Peoria area in 20 years. Headean throws three pitches for strikes, including a plus curveball and a low-to-mid-80s fastball.

As a freshman on varsity last year, Headean (pronounced Hay-den) anchored a staff that finished in three-way tie for the Mid-Illini Conference championship. Last year he went 7-2 with a 2.14 ERA. He struck out 83 in 59 innings.

Hot Start: Glenbrook South 3B/RHP Pat Guinane, who’s one of the top unsigned seniors in the state, is off to a torrid start of the season. Last week, the athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound Guinane went 11-for-17 with three homers, three doubles, a triple and eight RBI.  On Thursday, in a 10-1 victory over Niles North, Guinane delivered a grand slam to power the Titans (6-5).

Harrisburg Rolling: It’s been well-documented here that Harrisburg’s Reid Roper has been unbelievable this season in leading the Bulldogs to the No. 1 team in the state. But you don’t win 19 straight because of just one player. Up and down the lineup the Bulldogs have juice. Junior 3B/RHP Keelin Rasch, who’s one of the top 2011 prospects in the state, has been more than impressive this season. On Monday, the athletic Rasch delivered his fourth four-hit game of the season in a win over Benton.

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