Balance and parity. Those are the things that nearly every Mid-Suburban League baseball coach talks about when assessing the upcoming season, in both the North and South divisions.
“There’s a lot of good teams around,” says Prospect coach Ross Giusti. “Everybody looks pretty equal.”
Because of this, Schaumburg coach Paul Groot knows the glory and success of last season will be difficult to repeat in 1998.
Last year the Saxons ran up a 32-5 record on the way to a state championship. Schaumburg was particularly dominant in the Mid-Suburban League, earning a 13-3 record–including a perfect 10-0 in the South division.
“We were kind of head and shoulders above the pack last year,” says Groot. “But this year the South will be strong and balanced. We won’t walk through it like that this year.”
Maybe not, but the Saxons are still the team to beat in the South. Gone are sluggers Mike Nall and Tim Chambers, but Schaumburg is still left with plenty of talent.
Junior pitcher T.J. Nall, who came out of the bullpen to record three straight strikeouts and pick up the win in last spring’s state-title game, posted a 5-2 record as a sophomore and had an incredible walk-to-strikeout ratio of 55-7. Lefty Mike Weel, who will also start at first base, posted a 7-0 record and 0.26 era in summer-league action, while centerfielder Paul Reuer (.387, 34 RBI, 18 SB) will anchor the Saxon lineup.
“We’ll be strong defensively, but our offense may take a drop,” says Groot. “But I think our kids are confident to contend again.”
That confidence will come in handy for the Saxons, because the South division is loaded with teams hungry to knock them off. Rolling Meadows and Hoffman Estates head the list, while both Prospect and Conant could make a run.
Hoffman Estates’ deep lineup, led by returning team MVP Ed Kowalczyk (SS-P) and 1B-P Chris Manze (six wins in ’97), gives the Hawks the firepower to play with anyone.
Prospect has speed at the top of its order in junior outfielders Russ Haver and Greg Aicher. But the Knights must deal with the loss of top pitcher Andy Adams. Adams, who hit .380 last season while earning All-Conference honors, suffered a knee injury during the basketball season and recently underwent reconstructive surgery.
Conant is young and will be thin on the mound–with the notable exception of All-Conference pitcher Chris Spiering (4-1 in the MSL in ’97).
In the North, all signs point to Barrington and Fremd as the favorites, with Buffalo Grove, Hersey and Palatine poised to make strong runs.
Barrington returns several decorated players from last year’s North divsion championship squad. Second-team All-State selection John Austin (.387, 15 HR, 54 RBI; 11-2, four saves) returns for the Broncos, as does the potent middle-infield combination of All-Conference shortstop Jeff Sayre (.420, 26 RBI) and second baseman Kyle Flubacker (.375, 51 runs).
Unlike most high school teams, Barrington can rely on a deep pitching staff. Besides Austin, catcher Dan Pohlman posted a 5-2 record as a sophomore last year, while Sayre, junior Frank Favia and lefty Mark Tapley give the Broncos the deepest staff in the league.
“Pohlman and Austin had a lot to do with our success last year,” says Barrington coach Kirby Smith. “And players like Tapley can be used effectively in part-time situations.”
Fremd finished only 5-11 in the conference last season, but the Vikings return plenty of talent this year. Steve Melendez, Eric Foster, Dan Patty, Roy Pederson and Andre Duncan combine to form a deep and speedy outfield, while Pederson and left-hander Jeff Grybash lead Fremd on the mound. Exceptional speed and a fresh attitude brought in by first-year head coach Paul Belo could help jump-start the Vikings.
“We’ve been having 5:30 a.m. practices, which is something new for them,” says Belo. “In the past they would have had days off. It’s a new mindset that we are trying to work with.”
A young Buffalo Grove squad must find a way to make up for the 13 victories lost with the graduation of pitchers Steve Hecker and David Horn. All-Conference centerfielder Joey Parenti will see time on the mound, as will lefthander Jason Wiertel and senior Bob O’Roark (3-1 in ’97).
Palatine’s hopes hinge on the play of junior lead-off man Scott Nelson (.368, 18 for 19 SB) and senior pitcherthird baseman Dave Kiehn.
Hersey feature All-Conference catcher J.P. Drevline, who has already signed to play at Notre Dame. Drevline, a three-year starter, threw out an impressive 30 percent of would-be base stealers last year.
Wheeling will be rebuilding this year, but the junior-heavy team may be a difficult opponent come tournament time.
“It may take a while for us to gel,” says Wheeling coach Tim Lazzarotto. “But a tough conference always gets you ready for the tournament.”
