BY DARYL VAN SCHOUWEN *Staff Reporter
hoever said you can never have enough pitching hasn't seen the area's preseason No. 1-ranked team.
Sandburg has 11 pitchers back from last season's 31-9 squad that captured the Orland Park school's fourth consecutive sectional championship, tying a state record.
That should be enough.
What's more, the Eagles' lineup matches up with the area's best, led by Northern Illinois recruit Dave Reynolds, who batted .417 with 36 RBI as a junior. He's one of the area's best.
Senior left-hander Tim Damrow (7-1, 2.31) was the team's top pitcher in 2005, and scouts have junior right-hander Nick Chmielewski's low-90s fastball high on their watch list for 2007. Another nine capably stand in line behind, including shortstop-pitcher Pat Grady and pitcher-outfielder Matt Sharp.
''If we stay healthy, throw strikes and play defense, we should be pretty tough,'' Sandburg coach Doug Sutor said.
Pitching wealth notwithstanding, a No. 1 ranking in March doesn't guarantee a finals date in June. The single-elimination format of the state tournament is a slippery slope. After Edwardsville went 40-0 in 1998, the AA state champs averaged eight losses, and a poll of area coaches in this preseason indicates that 10-15 teams have a reasonable shot at winning it all this year. Some coaches say the number is higher.
''People tell us that we have a legit chance of getting back to the championship this year,'' Sutor said. ''I wish it was that easy.''
The area's top 16:
SANDBURG: The Eagles were 23-3 during the summer -- high school baseball's ''preseason.'' Top returning players are Reynolds, Grady, Damrow, Chmielewski, catcher-outfielder Beesan Hryckiewicz, third baseman Mike Buchler, outfielder Matt Malfeo and pitcher-first baseman Andy Onak.
LYONS: Pitcher-center fielder Dan Weston (9-1, 1.50) and 6-5 Kyle Corcoran (7-0, 1.92), both lefties, bring imposing mound presence along with 6-5 James Murrey and 6-4 Andy Tepavchevich from the right side. Catcher Justin Birks and second baseman Brian Dunne are also back from a 35-4 team. No. 31 by Baseball America.
BENET: Star power in all-area third baseman-pitcher Connor Powers, plus slick-fielding shortstop Mick Doyle, outfielders Victor Valdez and Pat New and pitchers Chris Pack and sophomore Bryan Roberts. Disappointing 21-13 season with first-round regional exit, but Powers was injured.
CARMEL: Strong senior class and pitching depth to confront a rugged schedule. Top players include shortstop-pitcher Sean McCreary, lefty Matt Diedrich (a Northwestern recruit), righties John Brennan and Jordan Siversten, third baseman Jeff Greco and outfielder Mike Morrissey.
MINOOKA: One of best programs to not make the finals last year, the Indians are 65-10 over two seasons under coach Jeff Petrovic. Top players are shortstop-pitcher Cole Tyrell (Dayton), catcher-pitcher Tom Cerven (Southern Illinois) and third baseman-pitcher Ryan Voitik.
ST. RITA: Summer champion is better on the mound with Kevin Schumacher and two big juniors, 6-5 Chris Chojnowski and 6-7 lefty Matt Conrath. Outfielder Joe Dispensa was summer tournament MVP. Also back are center fielder Dave Watson, second baseman Dave Weyer and shortstop Steve Witchzak. Street & Smith's No. 14.
MOUNT CARMEL: State runner-up has claimed three sectional titles in the last four years and has another well within reach, led by pitcher-shortstop Lenell McGee (12-1, 1.85), catcher Mark Evans and outfielders Brett Buckley (42 runs scored) and Chris Johnson.
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL: Senior Colin Bates and 6-4 junior Kyle Kaminska form an imposing 1-2 pitching combination backed by shortstop Lou Johanns, outfielder Sean Joyce, first baseman Mike Odenthal and catcher Cory Pryor. Made final eight in last summer's state tournament.
STEVENSON: Deep in pitching with right-handers Kirby Smith, Brandon Meister (Miami, Ohio), Alex Zerman (Bradley) and Mike Hussey. Sweet-swinging third baseman Dan Molnar will put up impressive numbers. Second in summer tournament.
ANDREW: Veteran team with this winning mix: deep pitching, good hitting and good defense. Top players include shortstop Joe DeCeault, pitcher-outfielders Mike Kaczmarek and Nathan Everhart, second baseman Curt Restko, catcher Bill McDonald and pitcher Scott Foley.
JOLIET CATHOLIC: Catcher Joe Benson, who may be best suited for the outfield at Purdue, is the No. 1 player in the state, according to ''Prep Baseball Report.'' Shortstop Tom Zurliene, third baseman Ken Tezak, first baseman Mark Siefert and pitchers Cory Churchwell and John Testin must step up. Strong senior leadership.
LOYOLA: Three of the top four pitchers return from a 30-win team. Top players are shortstop-pitcher Brendan Daker, first baseman-pitcher Tim Barry and standout junior catcher Ian Tomkins, a transfer from Alabama. Power and speed are assets.
PROVIDENCE: With right-hander Brian Stroud -- one of the best juniors in the state -- and 6-3, 200-pound catcher Mike Pericht, shortstop Grant Simotes and second baseman Sean Boyle, Celtics are strong up the middle and beyond as six starters return from team that lost to state champ Lockport in sectional final.
LAKE ZURICH: Sectional runner-up equipped for the next level with third baseman Jordin Hood (.427), 6-8 right-hander Garrett Rausch (9-2), shortstop John O'Brien, pitcher-first baseman Kevin Ross and second baseman Joey DeBernardis.
GLENBARD WEST: Outfielder-pitcher Bill Boockford, a Notre Dame recruit, is one of the top two-way players in the state. Right-handers Steve Salazar and Steve Thompkins also return from 26-11 team. Rate a slight edge in a deep West Suburban Silver.
LANE: Most of the team that went 28-7 and won the Public League title and a regional title, including junior shortstop Josh Colon, returns. Pitcher-outfielder Dan Serrano, pitchers Brian Platt and Kevin Johnson, outfielder William Davila and third baseman Sam Graebe are also back.
BEST OF THE REST: Oak Park, Hinsdale Central, Notre Dame, Schaumburg, Young, New Trier, Lockport |
I'm not in the excuse business. -Zuke
