Unbeaten Libertyville remains in the top spot as Highland Park, Carmel and Lake Zurich enter the rankings.
TOP 10
With records through Wednesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Libertyville 11-0 (1)
Joshua Holst is doing it all, running his record to 3-0 after the Wildcats’ North Suburban Conference win against Stevenson and batting .409 with 14 RBIs.
2. Mundelein 8-1-1 (2)
Caden Earing has five hits in his past 10 at-bats, and he throws four scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in the Mustangs’ NSC win against Zion-Benton.
3. Grayslake Central 8-1 (4)
Fueling the Rams’ hot start, Cal Hanson is hitting .610 with 11 RBIs, and Trevor Meathe is batting .580 and has eight stolen bases.
4. Highland Park 6-2-1 (NR)
Pitchers Cooper Kasdin and Simon Rose are fitting in well for the Giants, who have a teamwide 2.75 ERA and a 59-to-26 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
5. Warren 6-3 (9)
Colin Dreckmann and Mason Durst combine for four hits in the Blue Devils’ NSC loss to Lake Forest.
6. Stevenson 6-6 (3)
Ryan Harris is leading the way for the Patriots, striking out 18 in 13 innings on the mound and batting .444 with eight extra-base hits and 13 RBIs.
7. Carmel 5-2 (NR)
Zach Case is an offensive catalyst for the Corsairs, batting .381 with a 1.054 OPS, and is making significant strides at third base.
8. Grant 5-3 (8)
The Bulldogs entered their Northern Lake County Conference series finale against Round Lake with four straight wins.
9. Lake Zurich 5-3 (NR)
Josh Marzec has struck out 10 in 8 1/3 innings to get the job done on the mound while Owen Strahl and Jackson Piggott power the Bears’ offense.
10. Antioch 5-5-1 (7)
Connor Devine and Cameron Speich provide strong play in the middle infield and veteran leadership for the Sequoits.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior pitcher Emerson Larson, who has a 1.45 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings, strikes out 10 with a 68% strike-to-ball ratio in five shutout innings during Carmel’s 8-2 win against Wauconda on April 3.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
