1. Waubonsie Valley: Two-time defending Upstate Eight Valley champions will rely on pitching in moving to the DuPage Valley Conference. Brandon Petersen (Western Michigan) and Jason Neville provide the 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
2. Aurora Christian: Eagles return every inning from pitching staff, led by R.D. Lutz (Illinois-Springfield) and Drew Wagner (Southwest Baptist). Lutze, Wagner and Dustin Barrett are all four-year starters.
3. Aurora Central Catholic: Chargers are strong up the middle with Michael Bieterman at catcher and John Belskis at shortstop. Jake Smith (Heartland Community College) and sophomore Sean Sinisko anchor pitching staff.
4. Batavia: Junior pitcher Glen Albanese is committed to Louisville and anchors the staff. Three-year starter Kyle Niemiec moves from shortstop to outfield to make way for sophomore Jared Martin.
5. Yorkville: Foxes graduated 13 players off of last year’s record-setting 25-win team. Cameron Van Boekel returns for his fourth varsity season to anchor the pitching staff. Junior catcher Max Warren led Foxes in batting last year.
Paul Johnson is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.
TOP 20 PLAYERS
Glen Albanese, Batavia, junior, pitcher; Dustin Barrett, Aurora Christian, senior, first baseman; Jack Feeley, Metea Valley, senior, outfielder; Konor Gengler, Oswego, senior, shortstop/pitcher; Trevor Guerra, Indian Creek, junior, pitcher/shortstop; Joe Laudont, Kaneland, senior, catcher; Logan Love, West Aurora, senior, outfielder/pitcher; R.D. Lutze, Aurora Christian, senior, pitcher/third baseman; Jacob Morsch, Hinckley-Big Rock, senior, pitcher/shortstop; Jason Neville, Waubonsie Valley, senior, pitcher; Matt O’Sullivan, Kaneland, senior, pitcher/first baseman; Brandon Petersen, Waubonsie Valley, senior, pitcher/first baseman; Vince Schwartz, Oswego East, senior, first baseman/pitcher; Sean Sinisko, Aurora Central Catholic, sophomore, pitcher/first baseman; Jake Smith, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, pitcher/outfielder; Carter Turnquist, Oswego, senior, third baseman/pitcher; Cameron Van Boekel, Yorkville, senior, pitcher/first baseman; Drew Wagner, Aurora Christian, senior, shortstop/pitcher; Max Warren, Yorkville, junior, catcher; Jack Wassel, Geneva, senior, third baseman.
